Following years of women's football development in Berwick-upon-Tweed, the Northumbrian club has now finally fulfilled a long-term goal of forming a senior Women's side.
Berwick Rangers have officially announced the creation of a senior women's football team.
Berwick Rangers Women's FC intend to enter the regionalised seventh tier of the English football pyramid next season - making the team dissimilar to the Men's first team who play in the Scottish league system.
"We want to create a competitive team and we are convinced that we can do that with the players in the area." said Berwick Rangers Vice-Chairman Nathan Thompson.
"Expectations will be that, based on the girls who've signed up to training, we should be challenging for the league in year one. We'll be going for it as we want to be competitive. The fundamental outcome of everything is community and well being and access to sport but, equally, people want to play to win and that's what we're trying to enable."
Jenny Patterson, an early addition to the Berwick Rangers Women's squad, said: "Without sounding too cocky, I’m confident. I’ve seen the list of women who’ve put their names down to express an interest in playing for the club and it excites me. We may be a new team but we will go out to win every single game."
As the men's first team still seek promotion from the Lowland League back into the SPFL following relegation in 2019, The Wee Gers insist this plan has been in the works for years.
"It's a natural evolution," stated Thompson. "It's something me and the new Chairman, Kevin (Dixon), were really keen to do. Even in the past few years, we had dabbled with it and we tried to do it. And then Covid happened."
England's triumph in the Women's Euros last July on home turf has further increased interest in the women's game further, especially at a community and grassroots level, and Berwick Rangers are now seeing the benefits in their junior sides.
"Through the Berwick Rangers Foundation, we launched a 'Wildcat' programme, which now has about 45 under-12s. So, we want to build a pathway as there is now a place to play women's football in the town. We want the Women's side to now have a clear pathway from junior to adult football."
Berwick Rangers Women's will play at the home of the men's team, Shielfield Park. A crucial selling point for local players, with Patterson describing it as a "massively enchanting" prospect.
"Being able to name our home pitch as Shielfield Park is amazing," claimed Patterson. "It makes us feel like we are on a level playing field as the men’s side which, even as times are changing, is hard to find in 2023.
"It’s important for the Women’s side to feel wanted and part of the club. This will only help attract players, as well as engage and inspire the younger girls of Berwick and the surrounding area.
"I want the town to be proud of us. I want people to want to go to Shielfield, not only on a Saturday but on a Sunday too."
The club are actively recruiting players ahead of next season's expected start in the seventh tier.
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