Lincoln Ladies’ Global Links

Mark Hodsman meets the two overseas players recruited by FA Women’s Premier League Northern Division club Lincoln Ladies. American Randi Johns heard about the club from goalkeeper Kay Hawke, who had played for Ventura County Fusion, jokingly agreed to join and was then contacted by manager Rod Wilson. She expected aggressive, strong opponents, was looking forward to playing on real grass after California’s all-weather turf and dirt, and rates the W-League and the Northern Division much of a muchness. Brazilian Patch Toledo, drafted professionally at 17 and a veteran of Corinthians, Palmeiras, Flamengo, American college and semi-pro soccer and the Icelandic top flight, says she has learned not to expect much of women’s sport structures, but did not expect to play in stadiums like Manchester United’s. Both believe the planned Super League could attract international players, as the WPS has done, if it supports them financially.