Season 2018/19: Done.

It seems a long time ago that I was sat here writing about our aims and ambitions for the season, but at the same time, in the blink of an eye, I’m sat here again, trying to sum it all up in a few sentences.

In truth, we haven’t ended up where we hoped we would, but that isn’t for a lack of effort or application. We have learnt a lot of lessons, and, as with most things in life, you learn those valuable lessons when things aren’t necessarily going to plan.

We have learnt a lot about each other as a group and we have learnt a lot about what it takes to win when you aren’t at your best. Those lessons came not only from ourselves, but also by what other teams and other clubs have done this season. We now need to take in what we’ve seen and done and come back after a break to put them into practice.

I have been honoured to captain this club and every single player and I believe that if we keep the group together and add one or two more with real quality, then we can really maintain a challenge for the title. The 1-0 win against Chichester, the 60 minutes we kept the richest club in the country out, the late, late goals and the comebacks we’ve completed, they all tell me that we have what it takes, it’s just a case of showing that every game and every training session.

There’s a real appetite to learn from this young squad, not only from the players who have regularly been involved in first-team games but also right through the Under-23s. Armand (Kavaja - manager) has had the opportunity to give debuts and minutes to a few of those players in the last few games and they have really stepped up to the mark and more than played their part in winning four out of the final five games.

As a club, we are in a better position than we have been for a while and now we have a season under our belts at this level, we know what to expect – although after the UEFA Champions League drama this week I’m not sure you can ever expect anything in football anymore – we know where we are at and where we need to be. It’s a case of making sure we do what we need to do to get there.

I want Watford FC Ladies to be known as the fittest, strongest and most together group of players and staff in the FA Women’s National League. If we do that, I know we have the talent and the ability to take us to the next level. It won’t be easy, and it won’t just happen. We have to work hard and work together. We have seen what Javi has created with the men and the performances and rewards that have come with it. Now, we must do the same.