View From The Field: Kerys Kicks (Kerys Harrop column)

Birmingham’s captain returns from a break spent largely watching the men’s World Cup – at least one game a day, even on holiday – and is candid about what her own season needs to be. Birmingham, she says, underachieved last time given the quality in the squad, even though they beat every side in the top four except Chelsea; this year a top-four finish is the minimum and they should be challenging for the title. Lucy Staniforth, Chloe Arthur and Harriett Scott have arrived and impressed in pre-season. The trophy she wants personally is the Continental Cup, having finished runner-up twice. She signs off asking readers to get to grounds and support the game.