Ryan [pictured right] has experience at various levels of the women’s game, including spells at Reading Royals in the FA Premier League Southern Division, assisting with the Girls’ Centre of Excellence there and more recently at Maidenhead United, claiming the 2008-09 Southern Region Division title at his first attempt.
Speaking exclusively to the clubs official website, Ryan stated his excitement at the season ahead saying: ”I’m looking forwards to working closely with everyone involved with Aldershot Town Ladies and playing an active part in moving the club forwards even further.
”I’ve been very impressed with what the club already has in place and we are working hard to improve that further in what will be an exciting future for the club, and it’s a challenge I am really looking forwards to.”
Also joining The Shots is Becky Miller who has been appointed as the clubs first aider and physio. Currently studying for a Diploma in Sports Therapy, Becky has already begun work with the players, assisting Sian Houghton with the ankle injury she sustained during the match against Oxford United last season.
Completing the coaching line-up is former Shots keeper Lesley Hubbard who has taken on the role of goalkeeper coach. Lesley, who has been ever-present for the club during the last two-and-a-half seasons stood down from playing at the end of the 2010-11 campaign, after a career spanning twenty years in women’s football which included a spell in Sweden.
Club Chairman, Andy Liddicott welcomed the new club signings saying: ”I would like to welcome both Ryan and Becky to the Ladies team. Ryan has a good knowledge of women’s football and of our league with his time at Maidenhead United and we’re confident that he can build a team that will be pushing for honours in the future.
”He shares the same vision that we are trying to achieve with the Ladies team and I look forwards to working closely with Ryan. Also joining us is Becky Miller who will be providing first aid and club physio duties with the club.
”With the ladies game going from strength to strength, and the introduction of the FA Women’s Super League – the first ever semi-professional league, other women’s leagues are implementing a lot of rule changes to make sure clubs are set up for promotion. So far during the close season, we have been working hard to make sure that Aldershot Town Ladies can continue to keep playing at a high level into the future.
”We have formed a partnership with FA Women’s Premier League side Reading FC Women for the 2011-12 season and this will work with players being loaned to us or those who may not quite make the grade with Reading, being given the opportunity to play regular football for Aldershot. The team will continue to be backed up with our U18’s Girls squad during next season, with player hopefully pushing for a place in our Ladies team.
The Ladies team are hoping to be able to confirm some pre-season fixtures in the coming week, and we will of course have full details as soon as clubs and venues have been confirmed.
Find out more about the Aldershot Town Ladies.