West Ham United Ladies are already looking ahead to next season after a hugely successful campaign that included a tremendous run to the FA Women's Cup fifth round.
First-team manager Tony Marshall's ambitions for the 2010/11 season are to lift the FA Tesco Women's Premier League Southern Division title having finished fifth this time around. Marshall's side had pushed the top teams all the way before just falling short at the final hurdle.
He said: "We suffered from too many draws this year - especially early on in the season. Nina Downham arrived after we had already drawn seven games and her instinct around the box could have turned a good few of those into three-pointers."
Marshall believed his squad would be complete if he could add few more experienced players to his squad this summer. "We have had a strong emphasis on youth and that is still our view of the way forward but it is no secret that I would like a couple of older heads out there, to bring the youngsters through."
In true West Ham tradition there is certainly a conveyor belt of talent waiting to join the senior sides. This was underlined by the club's Under-16s lifting the UK Home International Tesco Cup at Bolton Wanderers' Reebok Stadium earlier this month.
To build the playing strength further, West Ham United Ladies will be holding open trials for the 2010/11 season on Sunday 13 June 2010. Players wishing to trial for the Under-19s and senior sides should contact Colin Roache for further details at [email protected]
Players wishing to trial for the U10s, U12s, U14s and U16s squads should contact Jim Maycock for further details at [email protected].
The ladies also have a number of coaching opportunities open. In particular a manager and assistant manager for the U19 development side is being sought. The side play in the Greater London and South East Regional Women's League Division One and ideally applicants should have experience of this level as well as holding a minimum of an FA Level 2 coaching award.
There are also assistant manager/coaching positions available for many of the ladies and girls sides, working alongside the team managers.
All positions are voluntary but post-holders enjoy the use of unrivalled training facilities at both Chadwell Heath and Beckton and will work with committed and successful squads who train twice a weekly with matches on Sundays.
Successful applicants will undergo FA CRB checks and should possess both FA safeguarding children and first aid certifcates. For all coaching positions please contact Tony Marshall with a footballing CV at [email protected]