So much has happened since we last wrote anything but before we get into anything I want to firstly say a huge thank you to all the NHS staff and all key workers in the UK and around the world for their hard work during these unprecedented times. Finally I hope none of our followers, your friends or family have been affected by the events of the last few months and from myself and everyone here we want to wish you all well and hope you are all keeping safe
Pre season is back.
So since we last blogged in March so much has happened at Tottenham Ladies and we want to start by saying a huge thank you to Tottenham Women’s captain Jenna Schillaci who has retired after 12 years at the club.
Jenna has been at the club since 2009 after returning to Tottenham after 8 years away at QPR, Langford and Enfield Town. Jenna has had a magnificent career at Tottenham which include 8 titles and 3 promotions with highlights, including winning the 2016/17 FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division at White Hart Lane after beating London rivals West Ham, finishing 2nd in the FA’s Women’s Championship earning Tottenham their first ever promotion to the top flight and signing her first professional contract at the age for 35.
Back in March during our last blog when the season was called off I mentioned how I hoped that Jenna Schillaci would not retiring this way under these circumstances as after everything she has achieved to me it felt it would be a anticlimax to retire without completing a full Barclays Women’s Super League campaign. I for one would have loved to see Jenna play one final game for Tottenham and seen her do one final walk-around the Hive and give us fans an opportunity to thank her for everything she had given to Tottenham. I don’t doubt that this is not the last we have seen of club legend Jenna Schillaci I predict she will come back to a role at Tottenham women and maybe one day even return as the coach. I hope once it’s safe to do so the Club throw Jenna a testimonial game maybe even at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium but until then I would like say thank you for all that you have sacrificed and given to the club you will always be remembered now enjoy your retirement Captain Schillaci.
Departures.
With the season over we have seen 5 players leave the club along with Jenna these are loanee Emma Mitchell who I was hoping would be signed on a perminant basis but instead retuned to parent club Arsenal and recently signed for Reading. Along with Emma Mitchell the club has decided to not renew contracts Chloe Morgan, Coral-Jane Haines, Megan Wynne and Sophie McLean.
This past season we didn’t get to see much from these players due to injury’s, loans and selection but personally I was impressed with Coral-Jane when I watched Tottenham take on Barnsley in the FA Cup so was disappointed that she was let go but as a fan you must have faith in the club and trust their decisions however I think a lot of fans are wondering when our Lilywhites will see their first new signing of the season. Tottenham currently are one of two club’s in the WSL to not have made a single signing and with the departure of 6 players we would have thought the club would have been busy in the transfer market but so far we are at a stalemate and there has been absolutely no movement by Tottenham. Don’t get me wrong I am not criticising the squad I believe we have a very good squad and they demonstrated that last season with finishing 7th in their first season in the WSL which is something to be extremely proud of but in order to complete at the highest level additions must be made. Every club in the WSL with the exception of Birmingham and Tottenham are making additions to make their squad and making their benches stronger so hopefully it will be a matter of time before we start adding players to replace the 6 that we have lost so far.
The new season is rumored to start September 5th so the club still has time to make additions but the longer the club wait the tougher it will be to snap up world class talent. The 2020/21 season will see the Barclay’s Women’s Super League given 3 Champions League places up from 2 so Tottenham will need to strengthen their squad if they want to compete for one of those 3 spots which personally I believe they can achieve with reinforcements as I felt Tottenham weren’t clinical enough in front of goal and maybe the lack of experience cost Tottenham a few games, like the Arsenal game at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in November 2019 where our inspirational Tottenham Women took it to the Champions but a lack of concentration makes it look like Arsenal won that game more comfortably than what the reality was. Therefore I would like to see a few new signings in defence and midfield and of course with Chloe Morgan’s departure a new goalkeeper, I’d take Carly Telford anyday at Tottenham I’m just saying. *Update*. At the time of writing this, Tottenham Women have just announced the signing of Defender Kerys Harrop from Birmingham City who has signed for Tottenham until 2022 and will wear the number 5.
Harrop joins us after spending 20 years at Birmingham who’s achievements include runner up in the FA Barclay’s Women’s Super League 2011 and 2012 campaign as well as winning the FA Cup with Birmingham in 2012. A full Interview with our new Lilywhite can be read over at https://bit.ly/2ZTZyta we most certainly can not wait to see Kerys out there in a Tottenham jersey.
Contract Extensions.
June saw the club announce contact extentions for Gemma Davison (2021), Becky Spencer (2021), Anna Filby, (2021) Rianna Dean (2021), Josie Green (2022) and fan favourite Ash Neville (2022). These 6 renewals have been welcomed by the fans as all 6 players were key to Tottenham’s success last season and no doubt will be crucial to Tottenham’s 2020/21 campaign.
End Of Season Awards.
June also saw Tottenham hold a End of Season awards which were voted for by the fans. Results saw the 2019/20 Player of the Season and Juniors Player of the Season go to Defender Hannah Godfrey
The Goal of the Season award as voted for by the fans went to Rianna Dean the goal machine for her goal in the against West Ham at the London Stadium.
Achievements.
What can we say about our Lilywhites this past season, they have most definitely surpassed expectations by comfortably finishing 7th in their debut season (higher I believe had the season not been called off). Coaches Juan Carlos Amoros and Karen Hills won a Manager Of The Month award for October 2019, Tottenham set a WSL attendence record for the November game against Arsenal and recently Karen and Juan were nominated for a Manager of the year award which went to Chelsea Coach Emma Hayes therefore we would like to congratulate Emma for her accomplishments this season with Chelsea but to us Juan and Karen are still winners for all that they have accomplished this season with Tottenham, so we would like to thank you both and may 2020/21 bring us many more happy memories.
Conclusion.
So what are the expectations for the 2020/21 season? Well, survival is the first thing that springs to mind after the surprise of seeing Liverpool relegated, no team can take their position in the league for granted as anything is possible. On a more positive note I honestly think with the right signings we can compete with Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City. We already demonstrated that we can go toe to toe with Arsenal, we only lost 1-0 to Chelsea thanks to a superb Beth England long range goal and the Manchester City game was lost due to not being focused enough in the first 20 minutes of the game and when you play a team like City with their world class playeys you have to be on top form as there is no room for errors. I am not saying we can compete for the league this year even though anything is possible but a top 4 maybe top 3 and snatching the 3rd Champions League spot is a possibility.
Finally along with some new signings I would like to see Angela Addison and Lucy Quinn get more playing time, I believe they have both proved themselves last season and believe they have what it takes to be starters alongside Rianna Dean and Gemma Davison in the Tottenham attacking third but until the transfer market we will just have to wait to see if any additions are made, I mean, I for one would welcome Rachel Furness back since Liverpool are now in the championship. I guess for now we just have to wait and see what the club has in store so until then COME ON YOU SPURS!
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