Fran-tastic Southampton Women (Fran Alonso interview)

Fran Alonso describes reviving Southampton Women, who before he arrived were training with an average attendance of seven to ten players and now train no less than twice a week despite everyone having other commitments. Unbeaten in the league until a disappointing defeat at nearest challengers Chesham United, the squad held a big team meeting, then beat third-placed Solent five-nil and felt they had become favourites. He credits Sheree Bell-Jack’s twenty-nine goals while insisting all sixteen players were equally important and that the club’s strength is in the group and the style. The League Cup final defeat to Oxford City, decided by a late penalty after Southampton dominated, still stings but he calls it a learning opportunity.