Stourbridge Women’s rapid progression
Stourbridge Football Club Women, a side based in the West Midlands, has huge ambitions to fill.
They are the current champions of the West Midlands Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division, having stormed to promotion last season. Stourbridge last season also added the League Cup to their trophy collection. And the West Midlands side find themselves sitting top of the next division, women’s football’s tier four – The FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands. But how has this side achieved this monumental climb?
Reaching the fourth tier for the first time in their history was awarded after losing just once last season and finishing with a huge goal difference of +115. Stourbridge last season also enjoyed a record-breaking Vitality Women’s FA Cup run where they reached the Third Round and eventually lost out to Championship side, Sheffield United. The glassgirls also went onto reach the semi-finals of the Birmingham County Women’s FA Cup.
Last season was clearly one for the history books for everyone associated with the club, but the progress and future ambitions appear big.
Manager of Stourbridge Women, Andy Fisher, recently reached a milestone with the club whereby he oversaw his 100th competitive win as manager of the club, in what is his 150th game in charge at the helm.
The Black Country force have additionally blitzed to score over 600 goals under the coveted manager. These admired and glamorous milestones can easily be pointed out as to why Stourbridge have been so successful of late. The ability to retain a manager and be consistent with the playing style evidently proves that the club is stable and in a good place.
Stourbridge are competing in a competitive league, with some of the sides having professional men’s teams, which commonly allow for the ability of shared resources – something that West Bromwich Albion Women are noticeably doing. The likes of, Peterborough, Northampton Town and Lincoln City boast an off-the-field advantage to Stourbridge; but clearly on-the-field is where the glassgirls shine.
Speaking about the football, the players are taking light at the podium. Striker Niamh Deasy is one of their standout players.
Deasy joined the club last summer from Sutton Coldfield – a side who had fallen short last season at the hands of Stourbridge. The striker grabbed 34 goals in all competitions for the Birmingham-based side, and she has shown no signs of slowing down with currently 21 goals scored in just 18 appearances.
Amber Lawrence is another important player; a skilful, attacking player who isn’t shy of a goal or two. Lawrence moved to the War Memorial Ground in 2019 and has been at the heart of the side ever since. She also boasts a vast amount of experience from her time spend with other clubs with the likes of: Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aston Villa, and Stoke City.
Stourbridge themselves are aware that there is a long way still to go this season, with more competition than faced in the previous, but even if this season isn’t theirs; it wouldn’t be a surprise to soon see them competing in the Championship and beyond.