West Ham United Ladies' new manager Julian Dicks has strengthened his squad with five new additions already this summer.
The Hammers have recruited some new talent in goalkeeper Nikita Runnacles and striker Emma Sherwood from Millwall, defender Ruby Baxter from Bristol Academy, midfielder Vicky Kinsman from Barking Ladies and attacker Alma Donohoe from KIKK United.
The new girls have all got down to work with their new club and are relishing the 2014/15 FA Women's Premier League Southern Division season.
"The decision to leave Millwall was never going to be an easy one," admitted Runnacles. "I wish them all the best for the rest of their season, but the move to West Ham made sense in so many ways. "Since joining the club, I feel that I've been given great support and the training that I need.
"It's been intense and I'm sure that will carry on throughout the season but, with the group of girls and staff we have here, I'm sure it will result in a positive future at the club!"
Goalkeeper Nikita Runnacles has arrived from Millwall Lionesses
Also joining from Millwall is striker Sherwood, who said the presence of Dicks in the dugout was a big factor in her swapping south London for east London.
"It was an easy decision to join West Ham from Millwall after meeting the girls and Julian," revealed Sherwood. "The girls have got so much banter and it already feels like I'm part of the family here.
"Julian is a great manager and is an absolute pleasure to play for. He manages to get the best out of us and everyone has great respect for him and the ambition that he has with the Ladies squad.
"I'm looking forward to the season ahead and know that we can challenge for silverware this season."
Emma Sherwood lines up with Ladies manager Julian Dicks
Two of the Hammers' new additions are returning to West Ham Ladies after several years away from the club. One of those is midfielder Kinsman, who has featured for Barking Ladies since leaving the Hammers ten years ago.
"I couldn't be prouder putting on a West Ham shirt than I am right now," confirmed Kinsman. "Ten years ago, I played for West Ham but decided to leave to have a few years out. I'm finally back where I belong and I can't wait to get stuck in and win some trophies with the girls!"
Vicky Kinsman has returned to West Ham United Ladies
The other returning Hammer is defender Baxter, who featured for West Ham Ladies at Under-12 level at the same time as playing for Leyton Orient, before The FA introduced a 'one club rule', where Orient's Centre of Excellence status was enough to persuade her away from the Hammers. Now back in the Claret and Blue shirt, Baxter couldn't be happier.
"Since leaving Bristol Academy and returning home, it feels so good to be back wearing the West Ham shirt and playing for the club that has and will always be closest to my heart," said Baxter. "I feel privileged to have been selected for the upcoming season with Julian and the girls.
"I am extremely excited for the season to commence and am relishing the thought of success in the league and other competitions this year."
Ruby Baxter is pleased to have joined West Ham United Ladies
The final addition to the Ladies squad is striker, former Cambridge University Women's Football captain and Harvard Business School graduate Donohoe, who has joined the Hammers from Mile End-based KIKK United.
"I'm very excited about joining West Ham Ladies," said Donohoe (pictured with manager Julian Dicks). "I think it will be a great challenge and I am prepared to work hard for the team and the manager. I'm hoping to have a good season and see the team finish in the top half of the table."
The Ladies, who finished second from bottom in the Southern Division last season before appointing Dicks as manager this summer, continued their pre-season with a 3-2 defeat at C&K Basildon on Sunday.
Vicki Bruce and Vicki King twice put the Hammers in front in the first half, only for the home side to level the match at 2-2 by half-time. A winning goal ten minutes after the break condemned Dicks to his first defeat as Ladies manager.
West Ham will kick-off their 2014/15 Southern Division season by travelling to Uxbridge FC to take on Queens Park Rangers on Sunday 24 August at 2pm. Dicks' first home league game in charge will be against Tottenham Hotspur at Aveley FC at 7.45pm on Thursday 4 September.
Ladies: Runnacles, Baxter, King, Powels, Bottom, Morgan, Little, Hinton, Donohoe, Sherwood, Bruce