TRACTOR GIRLS – Plough their own Furrow
Finally, Ipswich Town are up in WSL2, and their canny, long-serving manager Joe Sheehan is now ready to push on, feels Helen M Jerome
Head Coach: A veritable veteran at Ipswich, having been there since 2019 through good times and Covid, Joe Sheehan has stuck to the task and steered the Tractor Girls up from the Southern Premier.
New signings: Paige Peake and Rianna Dean, both from Southampton; Grace Neville; Bethan Roe; Sophie Baigent; Jenna Dear; Ruby Doe.
Outlook: On their rise up the Southern Premier, Sheehan clearly noticed rival midfielder Sophie Baigent starring (and winning all the Player of the Season awards) for Hashtag United, and has brought her to Portman Road (and Town’s main home ground this season, Colchester United’s JobServe Stadium).
Crucially, he’s also added New Zealand international Grace Neville from London City Lionesses to bring defensive solidity.
The club icon and longest serving player is prolific goalscorer, Natasha Thomas (below), whose striking record saw her rewarded by being called up to the Jamaica national team, the Reggae Girlz.
Sheehan likes to build from the back – hence adding Baigent and Neville – and loves a high press and wing-play, with the goal-hungry Thomas up top.
Will finish: they’ll plough their own furrow in WSL2, to reach safety in mid-table.
Photos: Ipswich Town
