At the end of a year that saw Torquay United Women win promotion to the FA Women’s National League for the first time, TUWFC manager Steve Elswood gives his review of 2023.
“At this point last year, we were in the league below and sitting in third place, and it’s safe to say 2023 has been the most successful year in our history for the women’s arm of the football club.
“It’s one that myself and all the players that were on last season‘s journey are so proud of, and we all will be for life, I’m sure. We made some amazing memories for us all winning our first ever championship and then getting promotion to tier 4 and National League football.
“With that being our second trophy in two seasons, when the women’s game is flourishing and developing at such a rapid rate, was a fantastic end to the middle part of the year and something that every one of those ladies deserved for their hard work beginning to end.
“Pre-season came and went, sadly we lost a couple of talented players that would have been flagship players for us who signed from other clubs, and it was no hiding from the devastating ACL injuries we received in pre-season and in the opening couple of games of the league campaign have really knocked us all back.
“It has thrown us a challenge that we weren’t expecting on top of what we knew was going to be a tough battle, however, the aim is still the same – National League survival and sustainability into next season, and that won’t change.
“No matter what blows come at us the squad we have is full of heart and belief in each other. It’s certainly a smaller, declined squad than we started with, but I wouldn’t change them and know they’ll give their all for the badge. We feel so supported by you all, along with the directors and staff at the Club, in what has been a challenging first half of the season on behalf of us all. Thank you.
“Overall, we have only got to look around to see the amazing facilities we visit this season to know how strong both financially and appealing the top three clubs are in our league, and the lure they will always have to bring in top quality players to their squad over ourselves and other smaller clubs.
“It does go to show for us though, how far we’ve come to now compete against Clubs like these in our journey that we’ve been looking to achieve for nearly 14 years. What’s important for us in 2024, for sure, is our results against the five teams in and around us, as it’s clear that the league has split into almost 3 separate leagues within one.
“So we dust ourselves down from a historical year, take the positives from the last 12 months, and make sure in 2024, we get the results we need against those teams around us to secure National League football, and that all-important sustainability into next season, as I’ve said that in itself will be a victory!
“On behalf of us all from the Women’s team, we would like to thank all of the Yellow Army for their support behind us in the last 12 months, and wish you all a very Happy Christmas & Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you all in 2024.”