REDDITCH United Ladies joint captains Kirsty Grigg and Sofi Liperis say the team will leave everything out on the pitch as they bid to secure a league and cup double.
The Reds have a four-point lead over second placed Worcester United in West Midlands League Division One South but, with three games in hand, Worcester have the title race in their own hands.
However, with a testing run-in, Worcester still have plenty of work to do and the Redditch skippers are determined to take advantage of any slip-ups as well as bidding to win the League Cup, in which the Reds have reached the semi-finals.
The duo, who have become very close friends since Sofi’s arrival at the club last season, are key figures on and off the pitch and are determined to lead from the front in the hunt for silverware.
Winger Sofi said: “When I look back to just last season, the change has been incredible. We have a lot of fight and want it (success) so much more.
“There’s a new mentality here since the manager (Gary Barrell) has shaken things up and those who haven’t brought into how we do things and want to achieve have moved on.”
Goalkeeper Kirsty, who recently celebrated her 27th birthday and has been with the club since the age of ten, added: “We are all in it together and there is always someone on hand to drag you through if you’re struggling.
“Sofi and myself are very different characters – both vocal on the pitch – but it’s great for the team to have two captains as the girls can come to either or both of us depending on what their problem or situation may be.
“There’s no ‘I’ in this team. We have a ‘we not me’ culture.”
Whatever happens between now and the end of the season, Kirsty is proud of how far the team has come since she made her first team debut.
“It’s incredible really. I started in the first team aged 16 and, with all due respect, it’s gone from being a kickabout with mates to basically a professional set-up in all but name,” said Kirsty.
“It was a struggle to raise a team but now we have a squad of 18 to 20 or so and we know every one of those players can be relied upon to come in and do a great job. It’s been a struggle at times but completely worth the effort.
“The opportunities for young girls here now are amazing. Seeing hundreds of youngsters here every week playing football is amazing and I’d have loved that chance at their age.
“If we can continue to get the right backing we can really go places. It’s the greatest feeling in the world seeing someone progress and the great thing about Redditch United is the fact it makes that progression possible because of the youth set-up here.”
Sofi revealed how the pair’s roles off the pitch are also vital in ensuring match day passes as smoothly as possible.
“Helping prepare the kit and food and chipping in with the football lottery collection are just some of the things we do because Gary and the management can’t do everything,” she said.
“There’s a lot more that goes on behind the scenes than people realise but we both enjoy it and know the team appreciate it.
“It was an eye-opener for us when we played Coventry United earlier in the season but that’s where we want to be and it won’t happen without everyone pulling together on and off the pitch.”
Kirsty was keen to thank the input of the American players at the club this season.
“We’ve done really well with who we’ve had come over,” she said. “Gary made sure we didn’t sign anyone with a big ego because it would not have been right for the team.
“They’ve added finesse to our game at times and improved the confidence of other players. They may only each have six months or less here, but they have all left us with so much.”
The final word went to boss Gary who was full of praise for his side’s skippers, adding: “They are both so reliable. They never miss training sessions and are great role models who I am proud to have as captains.”
