2024 was a remarkable year for City, notably completing a domestic treble for the first time, as well as gaining further experience in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
We look back on some of the many positives that 2024 brought…
DOMESTIC SUCCESS
The Bluebirds produced some fine performances to claim the Adran Premier, Adran Trophy and Bute Energy Welsh Cup last season, with the whole squad contributing to an impressive achievement.
Reflecting on the treble, Head Coach Iain Darbyshire said: “It’s been a great year. We had a lot of success in the first part of the year and winning the treble was one of the best days we’ve had at the Club. There’s still a huge amount of pride looking back. For everyone involved, it’ll be something that we’ll remember for a long time. I think it’s one of the fondest football memories that I’ve ever had on a personal level and I think that’ll be the same for a lot of the players. We must look back on it with pride, but not rest on our laurels; we’ve got to aim to be competitive every year and that’s the goal going forward.”
City captain Megan Bowen added:“I think it’s my fourth year now of playing in this league and every year, it gets stronger and stronger. There are more teams being classed as competing in the title race, so it’s an exciting time for women’s football in Wales. For us to complete such a massive achievement in winning the treble last season was huge.”
EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE
The start of this campaign saw City compete in the UEFA Women’s Champions League for a second consecutive season. Facing FC Twente and ZFK Ljuboten, the Bluebirds fell to defeat in both games, but the experience proved invaluable.
“It was huge for us,” Darbyshire reflects. “We were a very fresh team with a lot of new players and we had lost a lot of key players in the summer that we didn’t expect to lose, so it was challenging. It probably came a little bit too soon for us, but the performances out there were fantastic. We played against a side like FC Twente, who have just played Real Madrid. It helped to bring us together as a team and we’re seeing the rewards of it now with the belief the players have got in each other.”
Bowen said: “You always go into games with the intention of winning, so we were disappointed with the results. But we had never played against players as strong as FC Twente’s, with that level of technical ability. We learned a lot about how to work off the ball and our shape out of possession, so it’s good for individual player development and for us as a team. The bonding you get in that week in the Champions League is second to none.”
MAKING A TRANSITION
Over the summer, the Bluebirds lost some key players, including the likes of captain Siobhan Walsh, midfielders Emma Beynon, Kelly Adams and Seren Watkins, as well as attacker Rhianne Oakley.
There were many new faces in the squad, with Shannon Evans, Nieve Jenkins, Lily Billingham, Fiona Barry and Laura Curnock signing. This season, performances have improved throughout the campaign, with City currently second in the Adran Premier.
Darbyshire said: “It’s probably the most difficult and challenging summer I’ve had as a coach because of the turnover of players and it’s been the same as a staff. We’ve spent a lot of time debating what we do going forward and not leaving any stone unturned. Thankfully, we did that and have turned a corner with the squad because they got to know each other more. It’s been a good challenge and it’s only going to benefit us in the long run. From a playing perspective, it’s opened them up to different experiences and they’ve come out of it better people.”
U19s STEPPING UP
During City’s success this year, there have been consistent senior debuts for our U19s squad. The Bluebirds’ young talents have been provided with regular opportunities to train and play with the senior squad, heightening their development.
“It’s been an incredibly rewarding year," U19 Head Coach Tom Stiley stated. “The U19s had a positive end to the ‘23/24 season with several senior debuts and then we collected silverware in a senior regional cup. Moving into the ‘24/25 season, we had a transition of players within the U19s team with some new faces in the staffing group, so I’ve been grateful to be in the position to lead this team.
“I feel a huge amount of personal pride. For the players, who have earned their debuts, it is amazing for them, but also for their families to have their names on the back of the shirt. I’m grateful to the senior staff for continuing to put their trust in the U19s and allowing the players to show potential within the senior environment. It’s clear to see that, as a Club, we continue to put faith in our youngsters.”