Craig Hayman on the Women’s Successful 24/25 Season
Craig Hayman, Women’s First Team Manager, reflects on his first season with Fleet Town FC
Well, what can I say other than it’s been a fantastic season from start to finish. Stand out moments are our brilliant FA Cup run, reaching the 3rd Qualifying Round, and the Quarter Finals of the League and County Cups, and beating teams in higher divisions along the way. But best of all was winning the League and getting promoted to Tier 5!
Winning the League was a massive achievement for such a young side. Most of our players are age 16-17, with a few hitting their 18th birthday in the latter part of the season. It’s a real testament to their talent and commitment to playing at a senior level, as well as joining a new club.
I’ve got to say a big thank you to the players for all their hard work on the training pitch and putting that work into play on match days. Understanding and playing different formations and all doing their own specific jobs for the team. Some of the football, patterns of play and the team goals have been fantastic to watch.
There was a bit of a blip towards the end of the season, mainly due to players missing or injured, but the team managed to get back to winning ways and sealed a thoroughly deserved League title in the end.
I would like to thank all my coaching staff – Ayulie Dabor, Ollie Haslam, Charles Gray, Jonno Funnel-Hulford, and our physio Amelia Boardman. Thanks to Fleet Town FC for bringing me to the Club at the start of the season, Chris for contacting me while I was on holiday last year and setting a meeting about joining, Caroline, Darren, Phil and Tommy for taking us onboard and organising the games, officials, post-game food and much more. I would also like to thank Rosie and Dan for their hard work on socials, all the people working behind the clubhouse bar, in the tea bar, cleaning the kit, and for keeping us running. Caroline and Charles have both been amazing. There’s so much volunteer work behind the scenes and I want to thank you all!
I’d especially like to thank all our Fleet Town fans for their support this season. We hope to grow our fan base even more next season and attract bigger crowds to experience women’s football at our club and hopefully cheer us on to winning another league title!
Our mission for next season is to gain back-to-back promotions to get into the National league. Recruitment is key and the team and I have been working hard behind the scenes already.
Signing out of Season 24/25!
All the best,
Craig Hayman
Fleet Town FC Women’s Manager
If you’d like to trial to play for either our Women’s First Team or our Women’s Reserves Team we are holding open training sessions in June. Register your interest using this form.
