With the new decade approaching, and the end of Cheltenham Town Ladies’ 30th anniversary year soon coming to a close, club Chairman, Andy Liddle, picks his best Cheltenham Town Ladies FC XI from the last ten years. Opting for a 4-5-1 formation – he admits whittling some great players and CTLFC history makers, down to just a starting 11 “was not easy at all”.
The Squad Cheltenham Town Ladies’ Team of the Decade 2009 – 2019
Andy reflects on the past ten years and his chosen Team of the last Decade:
Bec Panniers|Goalkeeper
“Rebecca Panniers is a phenomenal shot stopper from any range, but particularly up close. Pan’s quick reflexes are legendary. Sticking the ball right in the corner at pace is your only chance!”
Sarah Walters|Defender
“She joined us late in her football career, did Sarah, but she provided real leadership and a voice on the pitch. Great with a dead ball from distance, Sarah was also an FA ambassador for the Ladies game.”
Kirsty Dunleavy|Defender
“Kirsty wasn’t the most naturally gifted footballer, but she made up for that with aggression and determination. First to most balls, you’d expect crunching tackles aplenty and she led by example. No messing around, that’s for sure.”
Hannah Robson|Defender
“Hannah Robson (in red) has been partying since 2016. A proper Leicester fan, Robbo was a tough tackling Centre Back. She never allowed strikers any room and had a real knack for being in the right place at the right time.”
Nat Berry|Defender
“The sweetest of left foots belonged to Natalie Berry. She epitomised the left wing back position despite playing through many injuries. Random bit of trivia, did you know her Sister, Sian, is leader of the Green Party?”
Chenise Austin|Winger
“Chenise Austin was arguably the best in the air, attacking the ball despite a diminutive stature. She went on to play for West Ham and is currently plying her trade in the Women’s Championship with Coventry United Ladies.”
Jen Brown-Wealls|Midfield
“I don’t think I ever saw Jen Brown-Wealls lose the ball while playing for us. She could pick a pass like no other. She ended up moving to Centre Back from her preferred central midfield role as the legs started to age, but she fit that like a glove too. She was a hugely versatile player and really read the game well.”
Louise Fensome|Midfield
“What an effective all rounder ‘Feno’ has proven to be, is there anything she can’t do? Tough tackling, great passer, and pops up with important goals from headers and distance alike. That goal against Maidenhead this year was ridiculous. So, she does a bit of everything for us in the middle.”
Rhona Donaldson|Midfield
“If you cut Rhona Donaldson in half, she’d have CTLFC written right through her like a stick of rock. Club Captain and secretary for many years, you couldn’t tell if Rho was right or left footed – she was that good on both sides. Truth be told, I still don’t know even now!”
Ella Hitchcox|Winger
“Ella is probably one of the smallest players ever to play for the club, but that hasn’t stopped her scoring more than her fair share of headers! Defenders must underestimate her because she loves a header. And she’s unbelievably quick, if a defender blinks they’ll miss her!”
Annie Martin|Striker
“Current Club Captain, Annie, is in her second stint with us, and is scoring goals for fun at the moment. Quick feet, and she has this unreal ability to create power with very little back lift. And she doesn’t care where she scores from, she’s as comfortable in the box as she is from distance.”
With Bec Panniers’ reflexes between the sticks, a back four with creative and vocal fullbacks and two aggressive centre-backs who are always first to the ball, combined with three dedicated and gifted central midfielders, wingers who weren’t afraid to connect with a header in the box and the quick feet and precision finishing of Annie Martin up front, Andy’s XI of the Past 10 Years certainly does look like a formidable side.
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