With just over four weeks until the start of the FA Cup, and six weeks until the league begins, the NWWRFL has become a hive of activity as sides are ramping up their preparations around the division. Here are some of the main new stories from around the NWWRFL Premier Division.

 

Crewe Alexandra have announced a prestigious friendly scheduled for bank holiday Sunday in august (25^th) when they will travel to the Etihad Campus to face a Manchester City XI, 2pm KO.

The Alex have been busy in conducting their recruitment early as they’ve announced several signings and retentions already as they look to make an immediate return to the WNL.  Manager Matt Fisher confirmed the side will be training twice a week ask they seek to begin a new era of women’s football at the club.

Names confirmed so far are Captain Katie Nuttall, Beth Grice, Hattie Bourne, Mille Burns, Kate Evans, Lousie Wilkes, Ellie Wadsworth, Emily Bourne, Seren Redmond, Kiera Willdigg, Jess Sheridan, Loren Cooper, Amanda Fallon, Becky Garner, Megan Booth, Laura Garner, Laura Goom, Shanice Finbow and Kiera-Melek Altintas.

 

There have been some changes at Broadhurst Park as NWWRFL Premier Division runners-up FC United have confirmed the appointment of their new manager, Kamran Hussain.  Hussain, a UEFA B licensed coach brings a wealth of women’s football experience as the former coach of Guiseley Vixens as well as being employed by Manchester City in the Community as a schools coach. Hussain replaces outgoing Head Coach Luke Podmore who resigned at the end of last season after three seasons in charge.

On the field FC United will have to cope with the departures of Rebecca Foster who joined Bolton Wanderers and Olivia Greenhalgh who joined WNL Premier Division side Burnley as well as Laura Garner who opted to return to Crewe.

They’ve been boosted by the news that Captain Kirsty Chambers, the long serving Francesca Davies and leading scorer Jess Battle have all been retained for the new season along with Chelsea Patient returning to training following a year out of the game.

 

It’s been a busy pre-season for Mersyerail who’ve built on the momentum of opening their own ground with the appointment of Adam Wood as the clubs manger, replacing long standing manager David Miley.  Wood is joined at the club by Callum Jones, Josema Camacho and Songmi Kim.

The new management team wasted no time in confirming the first faces of their new squad with Captain Gemma Lancaster the first to sign on for the 2019/20 season.  Players Rachel Atherton, Meghan Weterside and Sheree Thompson have also been confirmed whilst goalkeeper Nicole Cassar has joined from Wigan Athletic.

Arguably the most newsworthy capture of the summer so far see’s the capture of former Liverpool player Shannon Beckwith. Beckwith may be the only player in the NWWRFL this season to have played in the Champions League; having made an appearance off the bench for Liverpool against Brescia in 2015.