An inner-London women’s football club are setting their sights on top-flight football within the next decade.
Camden Town WFC currently play in the seventh tier of the women’s pyramid having sealed two promotions in two years since new ownership took the helm.
The 2022-23 season has been one of consolidation for the ambitious club, as they posted a seventh-place finish in the Greater London Women’s Football League Premier Division.
But having rapidly expanded their ranks to over 100 players across four teams and with support from new sponsors Pitching In – a grassroots sport investment scheme set up by Entain, owners of Ladbrokes and Coral – the focus will once more be on promotion next term as they target the Women’s Super League within 10 years.
“We are seven steps away from the promised land of the big leagues but for us it is only a matter of time,” said technical director Richard Mahoney.
“We have an ambitious ten-year plan, we want to go right to the top of the women’s pyramid. We built it a couple of years ago, it’s based on two promotions every three seasons which so far we have ticked those boxes and we are really excited about what the future holds.
“We are investing heavily in our infrastructure, maintaining our relationships with commercial partners and it all adds up to what you will see on the pitch.
“On the pitch our results have been going up a level, it has been challenging but we have had a good first season and we know across the summer with everything we are building we are going to push on and go for promotion.”
Camden finished their season with a disappointing 3-0 defeat at home to Headstone Manor, but had plenty of chances against the league’s third-placed side.
And manager Harry Sherman is determined that next season will see the club competing right at the top, with his side’s close-knit bonds off the pitch their secret weapon to success.
He said: “We have made a lot of progress this season, and if we continue next season there is a lot of progress to be made there.
“It has been a transition season to take the step from being a nice social environment that plays in the local park to a team that wants to play in facilities like this against the top teams that wants to compete, with the added commitment and stress that comes with that.
“It’s about making sure that everyone is a part of the journey and enjoying it.
“We are humble enough to know we don’t do everything perfectly, we made mistakes within this season, it’s just about learning from those and making sure we are better.
“Camden is unique; it’s fun, it’s positive energy and that’s what we have tried to establish here. The players have an unbelievable relationship with each other, they really embody the spirit of what Camden is about and we want to spread that to more people.
“If we can get more of that, that makes it even better and even more special.”
Entain, the global betting and gaming operator behind Ladbrokes and Coral, is proud to support Camden Town FC as part of its ‘Pitching In’ Grassroots Investment Fund. Through Pitching In, Entain supports community sport, including the ‘Pitching In’ Trident Leagues.
Article written by James Reid for The Impartial Reporter