High expectations ahead for newly promoted Histon Ladies
With the Ladies game in the forefront of our minds thanks to the Lionesses’ successes down under, Taylor Handel sat down with Ladies First Team Manager, Kevin Jacklin and skipper Tara Fitzjohn.
After just kicking off their new campaign, our Ladies First Team look towards a new season in the Eastern Region Division One North after earning promotion last year.
A dramatic opening game saw the Stutes take all three points against Harpenden Town on Sunday, but Manager Kevin Jacklin and Captain Tara Fitzjohn have been looking back on last season’s successes.
After coming second in the Cambs Women’s and Girls Football League Division One last season, Histon earned promotion to the Eastern Region Division One North.
With the Stutes impressing last season, winning 14 out of the 18 played in the league and reaching the Cambs Women’s League Cup final, Manager Kevin Jacklin has emphasised how proud he is of his team’s success.
“I had high expectations of the players, but considering where we were at the start of the season it is also a massive achievement, and it gave us a good base to build on this year.”
Jacklin joined Histon at the start of last season after over 20 years spent managing Cambridge City. He’s a man who sees a project at Histon and has labelled the future as something that fans can be excited about.
“There’s a lot to look forward to at Histon and there’s exciting times ahead. It will be challenging but we’ve got a fantastic base to build on. I’ve got a 5-year plan and expect us to be in the Eastern Region Premier and to be challenging for that in 5 years’ time. We, as a club want a really thriving ladies team. We’ll have a development side for younger players, and we look to build a pathway into this first team. I think it’s important to create a structure at the club,” said Jacklin.
Jacklin is also looking forward to implementing what his side has learned from last season into the new campaign.
“I think this year will be about consolidation and giving some of our younger players experience. The cup competitions are also important for the club, and I’s like to see us go a step further this year,” said Jacklin.
Captain of the Histon side Tara Fitzjohn is approaching her fifth season at the club and has also been singing the praises of her side’s achievement.
“It was a great achievement to bounce back last season. A lot of us come through the season before, where we really had to fight, but last year was the reward for that,” said Fitzjohn.
Fitzjohn has also been looking back at her time at the club and has explained what being captain of her side means to her.
“It’s a great honour to captain Histon, and to be able to help bring the club back to the Eastern Region was a brilliant experience. I can’t take any of the credit because it was a team effort and the praise should go to everyone involved because everyone contributed.”
“This place has become special to me purely through the atmosphere and personality of the club. The environment we have is so friendly and welcoming to everyone in this community and it’s privilege to be a part of that.”
Having acknowledged last season’s success, Jacklin and Fitzjohn’s focus is now firmly on the season ahead.
The Ladies First Team are next in action on Sunday September 3rd when they visit Stevenage Development for a 2pm Kick Off, whilst the newly formed Development Team are in action at Cambourne Town on Sunday August 27th, Kick Off 11am.
