Captain Keir Perkins reflects on the 2023/2024 season for Posh Women.
Peterborough United Women had a successful campaign in the 2023/2024 season, including a top three finish in the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands, obtaining their highest ever points tally and players’ names appearing on the back of their shirts for the first time in the club’s history.
The Posh Women surpassed their previous record points tally (39) with three games to spare as they came from behind to beat Lincoln City 3-2. Posh then beat rivals Northampton Town 2-1, drew 1-1 with Leafield Athletic before finishing the season in style with a 5-2 win over Leek Town; ending the campaign on 47 points.
Perkins reflects on the progress made this season: ‘I’m very proud of the team this season. We’ve shown that we can compete in a very competitive league by finishing with the most points we’ve ever obtained in the National League. Everyone involved in this season can hold their heads up high and say they’ve done themselves proud, and given it a real good go.”
Following the success of the previous season, Posh Women continued to play their home fixtures at the Abbey Lawn. With an average attendance of 311 across 11 league matches this season, Posh Women have one of the strongest home supports across Tier 4. Out of Tiers 3 and 4 combined, they boast the seventh highest average attendance out of 72 clubs.
“The fans at Abbey Lawn are amazing. It’s supporters like them that make home games so special and so exciting for us players. We are truly lucky to have so much support week in, week out and we can’t thank them all enough.”
“Mixing the great supporters with the lovely people that look after Abbey Lawn just completes the home feeling; they work so hard to make sure the pitch is good; the hospitality is brilliant and they create such a welcome atmosphere for us players. We’re lucky to have so many great people around the team.”
Aside from completing in the National League, the Posh Women also participated in several cup competitions including the Adobe Women’s FA Cup and Northants County Cup. They lost 7-0 to Northern Premier Division side Wolverhampton Wanderers in the second round (equalling their furthest journey in the FA Cup) whilst they lost 3-1 to Northampton Town in the County Cup final.
The skipper opens up about the cup journeys this season. “Being completely honest, I don’t think our cup runs have been as successful as we wanted this season. With that being said, these competitions can give teams great opportunities that they might not again. For example, we got to play Wolves Women at their home stadium in the FA Cup whilst we were drawn to face our own Under 23s side in the County Cup. That alone shows the mixture of opportunities that cup games can provide. After a competitive game against our Under 23s, we progressed into the final, but unfortunately lost out.”
There were several additions to the First Team throughout the season. Perkins explains their impact on the squad. “The new players that were signed on for this season have impacted the team massively and have really helped build depth within the team. Katie (Middleton) was a great signing for us; she’s fast, strong and tenacious as well as being a big personality in the dressing room.
“Renai (Bennett) has been another great signing and has really helped the squad this season. She’s committed, hard-working and was our goal of the season winner with her last-minute strike versus Northampton. Emily (Brett) and Ella (Hilliard) have been superb late signings and are both great players.
Whilst numerous senior players were bought into the team, several academy players made a step-up to the First Team throughout the season. Perkins expresses their contribution to the squad: “A massive asset to us this season has been our Under 23s squad.”
“Poppie (Brown) has really found her feet during the backend of the season. She came up from the girls’ academy and has gone from strength to strength this season; so much so she won both player of the seasons’ awards. She’s a brilliant player with an incredibly bright future ahead of her.
“Frankie (Pim) made her senior debut earlier this season and has earned herself a permanent spot as a First Team player which is amazing. There’s also been some great debuts by other Under 23s players this season. Rebecca (Mears), Edyn (Osker) and Jess (Abrantes) have all really stood out which is a credit to themselves and the staff working with them.”
Our number 9 enjoyed a stop-start season for the Posh Women but despite her injury she managed to net 10 goals, only one goal behind top-scorer Tara Kirk. “Personally, I’ve had a tough season. I started off well but got knocked back with a fairly lengthy injury which meant it’s taken a while to find my feet again.”
Unable to take to the pitch wearing the armband, Perkins explained her desire to support the team from the sidelines: “Injured or not I will always be there at training sessions and on matchdays to support the team and help out where I can. It’s vital as captain you try and set the right examples and standards. I absolutely love the girls’ we have here and have tried my best to support them as best as I can both on and off the pitch.”
The skipper sustained her injury during November and did not return until the end of February during the 2-2 draw away at Sporting Khalsa. Perkins pinpoints this as one of her favourite games of the season.
“I was extra excited to play a game of football again. The team played fantastically and it felt like a proper team performance. Everyone wanted to work hard for each other and we ended up coming away with a decent result against the now league winners.”
Perkins is Posh Women’s current longest running player and has seen the club evolve season to season. The 2023/24 campaign marked the first time players had their names on the back of their shirts, whilst the club also worked in partnership with different charities including ‘Her Game Too.’
Perkins reflects on the continuing growth in the women’s game: “The club has come such a long way since I first started. I’ve been here since the team started out and now I’ve just finished my ninth season. When I take a step back and reflect it’s crazy how much has changed as well as how far the set-up itself has grown.”
“In my first few seasons we were paying monthly subs to play for the team but now we have some amazing sponsorships and partners that have allowed us to take some massive leaps forward and really push for a more professional environment.”
“The progression has been phenomenal and it’s all thanks to the hard work from the staff behind the scenes, the amazing supporters that come to watch us every week and the very generous sponsors that we have.”
Looking ahead to next season, Perkins is eager to achieve more with the club: “I love a challenge and don’t shy away from hard work. I want to keep pushing myself as a player and develop as much as I can. For now, I’m going to keep my head down, keep trying to push forward and continue working hard. All I know is that I want success and to do myself proud.”
- Photos courtesy of Darren Wiles
