“Since I was very small, I have always wanted to play football. With two older brothers I was always tagging along to matches but it wasn’t until I was 13 years old that I was able to join a female team and begin to play competitively. I joined Lichfield Diamonds FC, where I also became a coach, and went on to play for Walsall LFC and Derby County LFC as I moved into my late twenties. Football has always been a huge part of who I am, spilling into work roles, further education and spare time.”

Jo is a scholar of the game and completed her UEFA B in 2020 whilst also completing a degree and being a mom of three girls under 6. Some achievement!

“I then began to look for more prominent coaching opportunities, returning to Walsall Ladies FC as an assistant manager”, jo continues, “Walsall were undergoing some restructuring and so, during a period of unsettlement it seemed natural, when the opportunity arose, to join local regional premier league team Lichfield City Ladies FC as a coach. I became the manager within three seasons with the club. After a short time as manager though, I decided to take some time out to reflect on what it was I wanted to achieve in women’s football and a passing conversation with Jamie Hawkins about the ongoing development of Chasetown FC and the lack of a women’s team was to prove the starting point for my new association with Chasetown FC.”

“For me, women’s football is finally getting the spotlight it has deserved for so long and, having spoken in length with Richard Lamb and Ant Fawcett, they are in agreement that Chasetown wants to showcase women’s football and provide a clear pathway for the existing girls teams at the club.”

Jo is looking forward to the challenge ahead. She goes on to say “I now get to write my name permanently in the history of this club as the Ladies manager and hopefully I can go one step further and join Larry Percival in being the first ladies manager to win a league title, as he once did for Chasetown FC. With the excellent support of the club and sponsors I have received so far, I will do everything in my power to ensure that can happen.”

Very best of luck to Jo and her team and we are very much looking forward to the team kick starting their campaign in the new season.

Trials for the Women’s Team will take place over the summer.

We have already had several enquiries following the announcement last week, but please email ChiefExec@ChasetownFC.co.uk for more information or to register your interest.

Follow the Women’s Team on twitter (https://twitter.com/ChasetownWomen) and follow Chasetown FC on Facebook, Instagram, Linked in or view our website for more information.