Middlesbrough Women kick off their season on Sunday against newly promoted Cheadle Town Stingers at Stockton Town FC at 2pm. And remember all Boro season ticket holders can use their Riverside season cards to get free entry at The Map Group UK Stadium, BishoptonRoad West, Stockton Town.
Manager Michael Mulhern met the press this week as the build up to the new season commences.
Q: How much are you looking forward to the start of the new season?
MM: I am excited. It is the same every year, you go through the summer, you go through all the best weather, you know the bad weather is around the corner. That means it is starting. Cannot wait.
Q: Last year the women became fully affiliated with the club. That must make a huge difference.
MM: It does yes. We have been here a year now. We didn't have the full summer and preparation last year. We cannot have those excuses now. We have had a good summer off. Come back 2nd of July and everything is going well and so we are looking forward to Sunday.
Q: Is promotion a realistic target this season?
MM: It is a realistic target but it is for another six teams as well. There is some stiff competition. It is probably a tougher league than it was last year. There are now other teams affiliated to EFL clubs, the same as us, being supported. Leeds United are in the hat this year. So are Huddersfield Town, so are Barnsley. So, the competition is fierce but that is good for the women's game it shows there is support there.
G: How have you improved the squad at Middlesbrough?
MM: Last summer I was fishing with a net, this summer it has been with a rod. There have just been a few little additions. I am happy with the group. So, it was just a case of bringing in one or two to tweak things. I am very happy with how the summer has gone. It does not guarantee anything but I know it is like night and day from last year. We are in a much better position. Even going back to the end of last season the girls have had a pre season programme to follow which was being monitored through the summer. I didn't have that luxury last season because I was fishing for players in July and in the start of the season. We had a terrible start even though we finished runners up.
But we have a great preseason we have had three wins against teams in leagues higher than ours. So, we are in a better position and the fun starts on Sundayand we will be ready to have a good go.
Q: It must have been a real thrill and boost for Boro Women to be on the stage beside the men for the end of season player awards at Middlesbrough Town Hall at the end of last season?
MM: Yes it was great, they loved it. Jess Mett (who scooped several of the awards), we haven't got many Middlesbrough girls but she is one of them and for her to take the awards probably meant more for her than some of the others really, when you support your club.
Q: It must be a sign of the integration of women and the men?
MM: It is 100% and that is how we have been accepted in the club. It is one club.
People ask is it real? I knew when I walked in the door it was real otherwise I wouldn't have taken the job. It is everything I would want it to be. I love my job, it is not a job, it is fun. It is what we all want to do is be involved in football and when it is with a proper football club who want to do things properly it just makes it even better.
Go and support Boro women on Sunday - free for Boro season ticket holders and Under 16s.
Season Ticket holders must display physical/digital Season Tickets on entry to gain free admission. General admission tickets are £5 for adults, with only card payments accepted. All Under-16s go free.
Manager Michael Mulhern met the press this week as the build up to the new season commences.
Q: How much are you looking forward to the start of the new season?
MM: I am excited. It is the same every year, you go through the summer, you go through all the best weather, you know the bad weather is around the corner. That means it is starting. Cannot wait.
Q: Last year the women became fully affiliated with the club. That must make a huge difference.
MM: It does yes. We have been here a year now. We didn't have the full summer and preparation last year. We cannot have those excuses now. We have had a good summer off. Come back 2nd of July and everything is going well and so we are looking forward to Sunday.
Q: Is promotion a realistic target this season?
MM: It is a realistic target but it is for another six teams as well. There is some stiff competition. It is probably a tougher league than it was last year. There are now other teams affiliated to EFL clubs, the same as us, being supported. Leeds United are in the hat this year. So are Huddersfield Town, so are Barnsley. So, the competition is fierce but that is good for the women's game it shows there is support there.
G: How have you improved the squad at Middlesbrough?
MM: Last summer I was fishing with a net, this summer it has been with a rod. There have just been a few little additions. I am happy with the group. So, it was just a case of bringing in one or two to tweak things. I am very happy with how the summer has gone. It does not guarantee anything but I know it is like night and day from last year. We are in a much better position. Even going back to the end of last season the girls have had a pre season programme to follow which was being monitored through the summer. I didn't have that luxury last season because I was fishing for players in July and in the start of the season. We had a terrible start even though we finished runners up.
But we have a great preseason we have had three wins against teams in leagues higher than ours. So, we are in a better position and the fun starts on Sundayand we will be ready to have a good go.
Q: It must have been a real thrill and boost for Boro Women to be on the stage beside the men for the end of season player awards at Middlesbrough Town Hall at the end of last season?
MM: Yes it was great, they loved it. Jess Mett (who scooped several of the awards), we haven't got many Middlesbrough girls but she is one of them and for her to take the awards probably meant more for her than some of the others really, when you support your club.
Q: It must be a sign of the integration of women and the men?
MM: It is 100% and that is how we have been accepted in the club. It is one club.
People ask is it real? I knew when I walked in the door it was real otherwise I wouldn't have taken the job. It is everything I would want it to be. I love my job, it is not a job, it is fun. It is what we all want to do is be involved in football and when it is with a proper football club who want to do things properly it just makes it even better.
Go and support Boro women on Sunday - free for Boro season ticket holders and Under 16s.
Season Ticket holders must display physical/digital Season Tickets on entry to gain free admission. General admission tickets are £5 for adults, with only card payments accepted. All Under-16s go free.