Manchester City Women 2014 launch

Catherine Etoe reports from Manchester City Women’s glitzy media launch at the Etihad Stadium, attended by City’s men’s manager Manuel Pellegrini and reserve-team coach Patrick Vieira, as the club burst onto the FA WSL scene in January with a rash of big-name signings. New captain Steph Houghton, one of four England internationals to sign, says she was honoured to be named skipper and that the media turnout shows how seriously the football club is taking the women’s side. New Zealand international Betsy Hassett, 23, describes arriving via a spell with German second division side SC Sand and a tour of India, drawn by the chance to join a team entering the WSL for the first time. Attacking midfielder Danielle Young, who joined at 14 and is the club’s longest-serving player, reflects on seeing her club transformed. Photographs feature 1988 veterans Deborah Darbyshire and Donna Haynes, and Jill Scott taking a coaching session.