Last Sunday, Leeds United overcame Stourbridge 3-1 to win the FA Women’s National League Plate Final for the first time.
It was manager, Rick Passmoor’s first trophy with the Yorkshire club this season. The victory was secured at the ARMOCO Arena with goals from Macy Ellis, Abbie Brown and Amy Woodruff. Leeds United comfortably beat the Division One Midlands leaders, Stourbridge after having reached the final point by beating higher division teams like West Bromwich Albion and AFC Flyde.
The result shows that Leeds are beginning to build under Passmoor once more after being re-appointed at the start of the season. During Passmoor’s previous time at the club over a decade ago, when Leeds was a WSL club, the manager made renowned success after leading the club to an FA Cup final in 2008, before winning the League Cup in 2010, where he went on to be named ‘Manager of the Season’.
That winning mentality was carried into his future roles. The experienced 54-year-old is no stranger to cup finals and competitions away from league action as he led Notts County to an FA Cup final in 2015 before being beaten by Chelsea and also two League Cup Finals in 2013 and 2015, however twice being denied by Arsenal.
His vast experiences he’s bringing back to Leeds is vital as the club will be aiming to get back to where they once were. Leeds United are currently mid-table in the FAWNL Division One North having accumulated 25 points from 14 matches. Chances of promotion this season are very unlikely as the Yorkshire club are 22 points off top spot, held by, Durham Cestria.
It’s clear that next season is where everyone associated with the club is looking towards too. Under Rick Passmoor and some summer additions, there isn’t any reason why the club can’t push for promotion into England’s fourth tier of women’s football. However, the league is competitive as ever, with the gap that Leeds must close appears as a monumental task. The likes of Hull City, Middlesborough, Newcastle United, Barnsley, and Stockport County, alongside the league leaders all stand above the The Whites – a task that Passmorr and co will look to at least challenge going forwards.