Coach Kicks: Fly, Robins, Fly… (Lauren Smith Interview)

Bristol City’s promotion back to the WSL was sealed with a game to spare, and the trophy then toured the city so thoroughly that a message went round the staff group the next morning asking whether anybody had seen it. Lauren Smith, who has coached every age group at the club since arriving as an Under-13s coach and once doubled as media officer, remembers booking the travel for a Champions League tie at Barcelona. She talks about Anita Asante joining her staff and fielding the players’ unusually deep questions, about Abi Harrison, Shania Hayles and Grace Clinton demanding three extra balls at the end of sessions, and about signing players from a tent in Cornwall. Ashton Gate will host every WSL home game next season.