#AmazingAccrington Magazine - Summer Edition 2024

Accrington Stanley Women U13s celebrate their cup success in May. CREDIT Steven Taylor.

Clockwise from top left: Accrington Stanley Women U18s were crowned Youth Cup winners in April. Photo credit John Shirras. Niamh Corrigan won player of the year at the Accrington Stanley Women awards. Players from all age groups were presented with trophies at the awards ceremony. The Accrington Stanley Women U18s team enjoyed a fantastic tour to the USA.

A SEASON OF SUCCESS! for Accrington Stanley Women Accrington Stanley Women hosted a special activity day and awards ceremony at Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium on May Day Bank Holiday, to celebrate what has been another successful season for the club, both on and off the pitch.

Stanley Women then experienced further glory in May after their U13s side defeated Blackpool FC U13 Girls in the U13 Girls Youth Cup Final. Goals from Elsa B and Eve K secured the victory for Stanley Women, a game also played at The County Ground, Leyland. Mark Booth, Director at BMP Europe, who proudly sponsor Accrington Stanley Women U13s, said: “The standard of football that the girls were playing was absolutely magnificent. “The quality of their passing, tactics, confidence and delivery is something the club and their coaching team should be proud of. “It was a pleasure to support them and share time with their proud families and committee members. What a day! BMP Europe is proud to support and sponsor a fantastic club in Accrington Stanley Women FC.” In what has been a memorable season for Accrington Stanley Women, they also enjoyed an exciting tour to the USA where they took part in the prestigious Dallas Texans International Girls Cup. Stanley Women U18s narrowly missed out on progressing to the next round of the competition, after finishing third, despite ending their group as top goalscorers. Stanley Women go stateside

Following a series of tournament warm-up friendlies, Stanley Women drew their first cup game 2-2 against hosts Dallas Texans 2007 Girls Academy ECNL. Next up for Stanley Women U18s was another tricky match, this time against DKSC 07G ECNL RL, and despite a valiant effort, it ended in a narrow 3-1 defeat. Despite an emphatic 5-1 win in their final game, unfortunately results did not go Stanley’s way elsewhere and they bowed out of the competition with their heads held high. Sami Smithson, said: “What an incredible honour it has been to represent Accrington Stanley Women on the world stage. The team have been absolutely amazing and have enjoyed an experience of a lifetime. “Success of this trip was never going to be measured on winning a trophy, it was going to involve getting the support of our community, seeing the team gel, observe leaders grow and step forward, witness cultural acceptance, bravery, compassion, integrity, respect, kindness and camaraderie, everything that we stand for as a Club.” Accrington Stanley Women enjoyed significant support from businesses both local and further afield to take part in the competition, including main club sponsors Sundown Solutions, elf Cosmetics UK, Macron North West – who provided the kit for the tournament, Farleys Solicitors,

Intelligent Search Ltd, Scott Dawson Advertising, CL Travel who sponsored the water bottles, and Under 18 kit sponsor Filter Fabrications. Funds were also raised at several key events including the Mayor of Hyndburn’s Charity Ball and the Clayton Amateur Boxing Club fundraiser, both of which were held at Accrington Stanley’s world class hospitality venue. Since the tournament in Dallas, one of the Accrington Stanley Women players has been selected for a scholarship in the USA, as a direct result of the trip. A life changing opportunity made possible by the support of the community of Accrington.

Stanley Women secure double Youth Cup glory

With 220 players across their club, awards were handed out the players from all age groups, all the way from Under 10s up to the first team, with Niamh Corrigan winning the club’s overall player of the year accolade. Other awards handed out included Supporters Player of the Season, Players Player of the Season, Coaches Player of the Season, Outstanding Achievement Awards, Recognised Coaches and Volunteers, as well as the Chairperson Special Recognition awards. A special award was also presented to club photographer Tony Greenwood, who is retiring at the end of the season. Taking place in Coley’s and the 1968 Lounge, the fun filled day also saw former England and Manchester City footballer and now Sky Sports Pundit, Izzy Christiansen, running an open age training session on the Wham Stadium pitch, as well as a tactical coaching session beforehand in The Snug.

There was also 5-a-side, 7-a-side and 9-a side games, Under 13s / Under 14s (mixed) and Under 14s / Under 15s (mixed) 11-a-side games, and The Red Rose Challenge match between Accrington Stanley Women U16s and Burnley, which ended in a 4-3 penalties success for Burnley, after the game ended 1-1. There was also entertainment throughout the day for the various age groups including party games, glitter tattoos, face painting, disco and karaoke. Lucas Neill, Performance Director at Accrington Stanley Women, said: “I am really, really proud of where we are as a club right now. In the four years that we have been a club, the progression has been amazing and we continue to grow and expand. “This season, 10 of our Under 18s players have featured for the first team and 24 Under 18s have played in open age reserve football, so there is a real genuine pathway here at the club.”

In what has been a tremendous season for Stanley Women at various age groups, the Club have also secured two pieces of silverware. Back in April and Stanley Women were crowned Youth Cup champions after their U18s side put in a scintillating display to defeat Fleetwood Town Juniors U18s 6-0 in the U18 Girls Youth Cup Final. A hat-trick from Niamh Corrigan, a double for Millie Dooley and a well deserved goal for Grace Hindley secured the emphatic win for Stanley Women at The County Ground, Leyland. Sami Smithson, Chair of Accrington Stanley Women, said: “I am so proud of these girls. They have been fantastic all season and this is a very deserved win and trophy success for them. “As a team they have experienced so much together this season and this is just the start of a great journey for them.”

To keep up with the progress of Accrington Stanley Women, visit: https://www.facebook.com/ AccringtonStanleyWomen https://twitter.com/ASWFCofficial and https://www.instagram.com/ accrington_stanley_womenfc/

24 #AmazingAccrington Summer 2024

#AmazingAccrington Summer 2024 25