West Ham Ladies forward Bex Merritt thriving in new roles

As a West Ham fan, Bex Merritt always speaks of her pride at pulling on the claret and blue every Sunday to play for the West Ham Ladies.

So it was little surprise the forward beaming from ear to ear when she met Blowing Bubbles editor David Blackmore after it was announced she was to captain her side this season.

She said: “It was a great feeling when I was told I was going to be captain. It’s massive for me as a West Ham fan to be given the chance to captain the side and I’m very grateful for the opportunity and for the new boss putting faith in me.”

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As well as continuing to lead by example on the pitch, Bex hopes her new role will further encourage the younger members of the squad to come to her with their problems.

Bex continued: “I have always had a few of girls come to me about things off the pitch too and I think because I am one of the older players they come to me naturally for advice so I hope this continues now I’m captain.”

As for pre-season, things didn’t quite go to plan for the 27-year-old despite the fact she started her training a few weeks before the squad first met.

She said: “From my point of view it wasn’t the best because I missed a couple of games during pre-season –one was because I was ill and the other was with the development squad to try and get my fitness back – so the friendly against Nottingham Forest earlier this month, which we won 3-0, was massive for me.

“It was great to get 90 minutes under my belt before the Charlton game and It was a great game against Forest because I haven’t played them before and I’m not sure how long it has been since the club has either – if we even have.

“Northern teams are always tough to play against because they are more physical and play a completely different style of football so it was good to play in that game.”

She added: “Overall, I think it was a really good pre-season for the club. With the changes in management there were a lot of new faces about and we now have a great medical staff but everyone has settled in well.

“Mark [Sanderson, West Ham Ladies manager] has been setting standards for us all pre-season and then when we hit them, he ups it again. We have had some good signings and the squad is really beginning to gel now and we are all beginning to understand how we all play.”

As well as her new role as captain, Bex has also been given the task of adapting to a new role - a challenge she is thriving on.

She continued: “I haven’t been given a goals target this season but personally I would like to at least equal my goal tally from last year – I think I got 15 in all competitions.I am, however, playing a slightly different role this season which will allow me to wander a bit so I won’t be playing right up top which could impact the amount of goals I score.

“But I’m really looking forward to the season because I think this role suites my game better rather than playing as the top striker.”

The Ladies didn’t get off to the new season off to the best start last weekend - losing 2-1 away at Charlton Athletic. But with games at home against Portsmouth and Lewes, the Ladies will feel they have a chance to kick their season into full gear.

Bex continued: “After Charlton we do have a few tough games coming up but there are no games in this league that are easy anymore because of the introduction of the Women’s Super League 2 has meant a greater range of teams have been brought into one league which I think will be better for us.

“I think we play our best stuff when we are playing against tougher opposition rather than games where we are expected to win. It will be frustrating if we win the league this season and can’t get promoted to the WSL until the following year but we have a plan as a club which goes beyond this season.

“We will very much be taking this season week by week and see how we go.If at the end of the year we are picking up medals for winning the league and a cup competition than that will be brilliant and it’ll do wonders for attracting more players.

“The cups are always great to take part in because it gives us the chance to see how far we can go and it’s brilliant for the squad to travel together and play teams above us or in a strong position. It also gives us a test to see where we are individually and as a team.”

And reflecting on how last season’s squad compares to thie season’s, she continued: “The difference is we have got a lot of strength in depth which a lot of other women’s teams don’t have. At the moment there is a brilliant vibe at the club and everyone is fighting for the shirt.”

The West Ham Ladies play their home games at Thurrock FC, Ship Lane, Aveley, Essex, EM19 1YN. They play Portsmouth on September 1 and Lewes on September 8, both at home with kick off at 2pm.

West Ham Ladies' determination to lay last season's ghosts to rest

After failing to secure a place in the Women’s Super League 2 and finishing mid-table in the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division, last season was one to forget for the West Ham Ladies.
But while many other players from other clubs were sunning themselves in warming climes, the Hammers were back in pre-season training some three weeks before their rivals with the aim of overcoming last season’s disappointment and storming to the Southern Division title this season.

Speaking ahead of the Ladies’ first league game of the season away at Charlton Athletic next Sunday, ‘keeper Toni-Anne Wayne admits the side needs to “win ugly” if they are going to stand any chance of securing some much-needed silverware.

Mikey Cartwright/Ponderosa Pix

“I think last season we got off to a good start and we were doing fine until we got to Christmas and suddenly had a lot of games called off and then picked up a few injuries,” the 30-year-old said.

“At one point last season we went eight weeks without a game and I think we lost our way a bit and our confidence. We also had quite a few young players last year and it was quite tough for the experienced players to get them up for it. But they’ve got that year experience now and hopefully what happened last season won’t happen again this season.

“One of the biggest things we need to do this season is to learn how to win ugly. Last season we either played really well and dominated teams and win or just played really poor and gave away stupid goals.

“But I think the whole experience of last season has bonded us and given us a united goal of what we want to achieve.”

Reflecting on the disappointment of missing out on the Women’s Super League 2, the shot-stopper added: “We really felt we deserved it and now we are determined to prove we did deserve it. We’ve got a great structure in place to take us forward with good youth players coming on well and recruiting good players from other clubs too.

“We need the younger players to start realising their potential and stepping up a bit and for the the experienced players to step up and show our worth when the going gets tough.”

One major change at the club over the summer was the appointment of Mark Sanderson as first team manager. The former Fulham Ladies and Crystal Palace Ladies manager was put in charge following the club’s 2013 AGM with former boss Julia Setford moving to a new role as Director of Football.

New players to sign include Cherrelle Albert from Charlton Athletic, Natalie Crinean from Gillingham Ladies and Jade Skillen from Ipswich Town Ladies.

Toni-Anne continued: “I really hope we can push on this season. The new players we have brought in have added a lot more strength in depth to our squad so if we do get a few injuries this season, we’ve got players who can come in and help continue any momentum we have.

“Natalie has come in and she is banter all the time and Cherrelle always plays with a smile on her face but the stand out new player for me is Jade. She has been a breath of fresh air at left back and is so quick.

“I also think having Lily [Mellors] and Hannah [Gowland] back from injury and playing well in pre-season does feel like we’ve got two new signings. They’ve both done really well to come back and the medical team have been fantastic and not rushed them.”

On the new management set-up at the club, the former Charlton Athletic and Gillingham player continued: “We’ve had Julia [Setford] over the last few years and she has done a fantastic job with the resources she had.

“But now we’ve got a new management team in place and it’s no longer just one person doing everything; we’ve got dedicated people doing different things from the practical stuff to the technical stuff. Obviously with the new manager we’ve got a different style and everyone has got to get used to that. He laid down how he wants to play at the beginning of pre-season and we all believe we can play this way.”

She added: “Our pre-season has gone well. The Arsenal game [lost 10-0] was a big learning curve for us. Having said that, they were halfway through their season and it was only our second game.”

And looking ahead to the forthcoming campaign, Toni-Anne concluded: “All the girls here want to win things. We would like to get promoted but that’s not an option for us this season.

“The main thing is to get a winning mentality and win everything we can now and get that trophy cabinet full of trophies so that when we put in our next bid to join the Women’s Super League, we will be in a much better position.

“We start our season with a local derby against Charlton Athletic which is a huge game for all of us. We have also got to play Lewes and Portsmouth quite early on so it is a really hard start to the season.

“But at the end of the day, if we want to win things, we have to play these games and win them. I’m confident we are ready for this campaign.”

Making his Mark: Saunderson appointed new manager of West Ham Ladies

West Ham Ladies have appointed former Crystal Palace Ladies and Fulham Ladies boss Mark Saunderson as their new manager.

Saunderson is one of the most respected names in women's football, having won the WPL Southern Division title with the Cottagers in 2008, before taking a sabbatical from the game after the birth of his daughter.

"I was lucky to be approached by a number of clubs but once West Ham made their interest known, it was an easy choice," Saunderson told shekicks.net.

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"It's an honour to be considered for the role at the club and it's an easy fit when both the club and yourself see the way in which the game should be played in the same way."

"I am sure it will be a challenge at times but I see the potential and passion in the club and that is what makes it such an exciting proposition."

Following the club's end-of-season AGM, previous manager Julia Setford has moved upstairs into a Director of Football capacity, as well as assisting Saunderson.

"Basically, we have had a little change," Setford told whufc.com.

"Mark is going to be first team manager and I will be his number two and also fill the role of Director of Football. The changes will enable me to take a step back, but Mark has far more experience of management than I do and can really push us on."

"We need to boost our squad with more quality and believe that Mark is the manager to bring better players to the club."

"He has won the division we are in before so we know we are getting a manager with good pedigree and a respected name in women's football."

The Ladies will be wanting to improve on this season's showing in the WPL Southern Division, where they eventually finished a somewhat disappointing 6th and missing out on a place in the new Women's Super Premier League.

There is good news already for the Irons, however, as former England goalkeeper Toni-Anne Wayne and forwards Becky Merritt (who recently won the Blowing Bubbles Ladies Goal of the Season Award for her strike against Brighton and Hove Albion Ladies) and Hannah Gowland committing themselves to the club for next season, as well as a large amount of interest from potential new players.

West Ham Ladies awards 2012/2013 - as nominated by the girls

The West Ham Ladies finished their season last weekend with a defeat away at league
champions Reading. Shortly after the game, Blowing Bubbles caught up with Toni Anne Wayne, Hannah Gowland, Zoe Lipley- Hinton, Stacey Little, Becky Merritt, Lindsey Morgan and captain Rosey Sullivan to give their votes in six categories.At the bottom of each category, we have also decided who we think should win.

Goal of the Season

TAW: Hannah Gowland’s goal against Leeds in the FA Cup. It was a game of limited
chances and she took it well.

HG: For me it has to be the second goal we scored against Gillingham away. I scored it which I am proud about but that’s not why. It was such a great team goal. It all started from the goalkeeper, worked its way through all positions, before it was given to me to score.

ZLH: Becky Merritt’s goal against Brighton because it was just a lovely clean hit.

SL: This goal sticks in my mind for the way Kell picked the ball up and ran through the QPR defence before sliding the ball underneath the keeper. Unfortunately, Kell also went on to break her collarbone in this game.

BM: We were 2-1 down with minutes to play and Lindsey smashed a half volley to earn us a point.

LM: Even though we lost the game it was an unbelievable strike from outside the box.

RS: Katie Bottom’s goal against Reading last weekend.

The Blowing Bubbles Award for Ladies Goal of the Season goes to Becky Merritt for her goal against Brighton and Hove Albion Ladies.

Mikey Cartwright/Ponderosa Pix

Best Team Performance

TAW: Spurs away where we won 1-0. We played well as a team, everyone from front to back contributed to the win.

HG: Our FA Cup game against Leeds was our best team performance. We were 3-0 down at half time and after a decent talk in the changing room, we came out in the second half such a better team. We got two goals back and was [sic] unlucky not to get a third in the last few minutes. Our fighting spirit to get back at them, determination and team effort was great. We couldn’t have worked harder. If only we were like that first half.

ZLH:  Tottenham away. We just played really well as a team and played some great football.

SL:  Our home match against Brighton which we won 2-0. We always seem to struggle against Brighton and we never play well in both halves against anyone. So to beat Brighton (who had a very strong team this year) 2-0and play well in both the first
and second half was very pleasing for both players and
management.

BM: Our best team performance was when we beat Brighton at home 2-0. We were hungry for the win from the first whistle, everyone put their bodies on the line to prevent and score goals.

LM: For me it has to be Brighton at home. I scored the goal after 10 mins and it was just a brilliant team performance.

RS: For me, it has to be our 3-0 win over Tottenham.

The Blowing Bubbles Award for Best Ladies Performance of the Season goes to the performance against Brighton and Hove Albion at home.

Mikey Cartwright/Ponderosa Pix

Best Individual Performance

TAW: Becky Merritt against Brighton at home. High work rate, first touch was brilliant and she scored a screamer.

ZLH: Toni Anne Wayne against Millwall. She pulled off some amazing saves to keep us in that game.

SL: Hannah Gowland vs Witham. Although Witham are ranked way below us, nothing should be taken away from Hannah for scoring a hat trick in six minutes in this game. Hannah had only just joined West Ham Ladies so she had done well to fit in to the team and made her mark early on. She was a massive miss for us the rest of the season after she broke her ankle.

BM: Toni Anne Wayne against Millwall. She pulled off some incredible saves to help us gain a well-earned point from the league leaders at the time.

LM: She stepped up this season from the reserves and she made the right back position her own and away at Tottenham this year she was brilliant. She has improved her game and become a regular first team player.

RS: Stacey Little on so many occasions. She works so hard on the pitch and covers so much ground.

The Blowing Bubbles Award for Ladies Individual Performance of the Season goes to Toni Anne Wayne for her performance away at Millwall Ladies.

Mikey Cartwright/Ponderosa Pix

Best Goal Celebration

TAW: The team celebration after April Bowers’ goal against Spurs away.

HG: The best goal celebration for me would be after the second goal against Gillingham. After such a great team goal and great team effort, we all celebrated and come[sic] together to cheer and congratulate each other. It was nice.

ZLH: The celebration after April Bowers’ goal against Spurs. Before the game we said if we scored we would do the train celebration out of  [2001 film directed by Gurinder Chadha] Bend It Like Beckham.

SL: Tottenham away, April Bowers’ goal. We had actually been discussing this
before the game if we scored what our celebration would be.

BM: The team celebration after April Bowers’ goal against Spurs away.

LM: The team celebration after April Bowers’ goal against Spurs away.

RS: The best goal celebration was against Tottenham. The girls walked on their hands and knees in a row holding onto each others ankles. It was also a great result against Tottenham.

The Blowing Bubbles Award for Best Ladies Goal Celebration of the Season goes to the celebration of April Bowers' goal away at Tottenham Hotspur Ladies.

Mikey Cartwright/Ponderosa Pix

Funniest in Dressing Room

TAW: April Bowers because she says the most
stupid things.

HG: The funniest in the dressing room is difficult because we all crack jokes but if I had to pick someone it would be April Bowers. She is very random, always comes
out with weird sayings, sings and loves a boogie. Plus she brings sweets before a game
and calls them "badman" sweets.

ZLH: Stacey Little. She just comes out with the best little comments.

SL: I’d have to say April due to the fact that we’ll all be sitting there, music playing and she will burst into song or impress us with her dance moves all of a sudden.

BM: April Bowers because she pretty much reinvents the English language with her gangster spin!

LM: Danica Revell. She is funny without even knowing it. She can be so blonde.

RS: Funniest in the changing room is Stacey
Little. She is always coming out with funny comments or jokes that have the whole
team laughing. Very comical girl.

The Blowing Bubbles Award for Dressing Room Joker goes to April Bowers.

Mikey Cartwright/Ponderosa Pix

Team Diva

TAW: Stacey Little because if there is anything to moan about she will find it.

HG: The team diva is Rosey. She is always worrying about her hair and makeup.
Both have to be perfect and she never likes it going wrong especially when it rains. She loves the fake tan too.

ZLH: Kelley Blanchflower.

SL: Rosey Sullivan. That’s easy and I’m sure she will be everyone else’s choice too.
The moisturising to make sure the tan doesn’t peel, the panic when it starts raining that her hair is going to go knotty and mascara will run. Wouldn’t change our Rose though.

BM: Rosey Sullivan or Kelley Blanchflower. Pure TOWIE. You should see them if there is a photo and they were not given sufficient time to prepare.

LM: Kelley Blanchflower.

RS: I am the biggest diva (or so I have been told plenty of times) but if I'm not voting
for myself it would be Kelley Blanchflower. She's kind of similar to me with having our hair perfect, making sure we are pretty and smelling good before the game. She can also get the hump if things aren't going positively but guess that's the whole team.
We still love her.

The Blowing Bubbles Award for Biggest Diva goes to Rosey Sullivan.

Mikey Cartwright/Ponderosa Pix

Disappointment as West Ham Ladies miss out on FA Women's Super League

West Ham Ladies endured a difficult week after being told their application to join the FA Women's Super League second division was declined before losing at home to Yeovil to a last minute goal last weekend.

The Millwall Lionesses, Watford and Reading were amongst the clubs chosen to play in the second tier of Ladies football at the expense of the Hammers.

Sunderland, Aston Villa, Doncaster Belles, Durham, London Bees, Oxford United and Yeovil completed the list.

Mikey Cartwright/Ponderosa Pix

The news of the application came a couple of days before the defeat at home to Yeovil which took the Ladies’ winless streak to six games.

Despite having nothing but pride left to play for this season, the Hammers are hopeful they can pick up points away at Lewes and Reading over the next couple of weeks to end their disappointing season on a positive note.

At the start of the year the Ladies had high hopes of winning their league as well as reaching a cup final.

Despite a promising start, an unusually high number of games were cancelled before the Ladies were eliminated from both cup competitions and fell adrift from the league leaders.

In better news, however, the West Ham U11girls side have rounded off a fantastic league campaign by triumphing 4-0 in their final league game and in doing so, have gone the entire league season unbeaten and romped to the league title, eight points clear of 2nd placed Writtle Minors.

The girls now have the chance to double their joy as they face a May 12 date to take on in Upminster Park Rovers in the Essex County Girls cup final.

And in other West Ham Ladies news, the second trial for the Ladies’ Academy will also be taking place on Wednesday May 29 from 3 to 5pm and will be held at the West Ham Community Trust, Beckton.

Any current year 11 females interested in combining a college education with the professional football training lifestyle should register for the trial on www.scl-online.co.uk.