Thir(s)ty for Success (Claire Ford, Enfield Town, interview)

Enfield Town have reached their first ever national final, in the FA Women’s Premier League Plate, beating two higher-division sides on the way. Veteran Claire Ford puts it down to belief, togetherness, attitude and work-rate, a brilliant game plan from the management and total trust from the players in carrying it out. She is candid that league form has been inconsistent, blaming a stop-start season, and notes eleven league games still to play. She expects a tough final against Coventry, a division above and unbeaten en route with a seven-nil semi-final win, with neither side having conceded. Reaching the final in the club’s thirtieth anniversary year, she says, tops previous county finals and FA Cup runs.