That’s the view of Natalie Crinean, who joined from Gillingham Ladies during the summer and is likely to be a key part this season.
The striker, who has already bagged two goals this season, added: “I feel like I have settled in really well and I just want a successful injury-free season.
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| Mikey Cartwright/Ponderosa Pix |
And with games against Coventry and Portsmouth fast approaching, the Ladies hope to pick up some valuable points and move up the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division table.
Playing football in the claret and blue shirt is also something that Crinean is familiar with after a stint at the club back in 2007.
She continued: “I signed for West Ham back in 2007 because things at Charlton, my club at the time, were not going well and I wanted to be playing at a better level. I also liked the idea of being part of such a great club. I had played against them so I knew they had a great team and I liked the way they played.”
Crinean played first-team football for West Ham, while continuing to be part of the Charlton academy, but a serious injury meant she had to choose to stick with the Addicks full-time.
But after an injury-plagued season she joined Gillingham.
However this summer, she felt the need for a new challenge and asked Ladies manager Mark Saunderson if she could move back to West Ham.
She concluded: “The club has come on massively since 2008. I was full of praise for the club last time round and this time it is amazing.
“They have built a strong link with the men’s side and the new management and all the staff within the club are great. It’s a nice friendly place to be for sure.”
The Ladies travel to Gillingham and Portsmouth next in the league before playing Coventry at home on November 3. All games kick off at 2pm.
The West Ham Ladies play their home games at Thurrock FC, Ship Lane, Aveley, Essex, EM19 1YN.
