Tractor Girls Talk - 2025 Retained list, new home and WSL 2

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0:39Ross Halls:Hello everybody, it's me Roscoe and welcome to the return of the Tractor Girls Talk podcast covering all things Itcherist Town Women. We're going to be playing in the WSL 2 for the very first time. So exciting times to come for Joe Sheehan's team and I'm joined by my right hand man covering the team, and that is Tom Cann. My friends, we were there last season, seeing promotion at Flickstone Walton at the Martello Ground, and now we're going to be looking forward to seeing the team playing WSL2. How's things? How's your summer been? Yeah, not too bad. Thank you. Just been working away, busy, but really looking forward to the season coming back and watching the team in WSL2.

1:21I'm probably going to call it the championship at some point because I've spent the entire last season calling it the championship until WSL decided to change it so but yeah really excited to get back to it and watch them watch them in the in the

1:38Ross Halls:second tier yeah it's gonna be great fun and yeah we're gonna hopefully bring you these regular podcasts as you're probably probably an old listener we obviously had good old Blue Wilson as my co-host I've got now Tom Cann and we're hoping to get other special guests on maybe yourselves if you're a big fan of the tractor girls if you want to share your thoughts and views i'd be great to get you involved uh but yeah we've got a lot to talk about because a lot's happened over the last past month um and yeah we've got the retain list we've got a new home for the tractor girls and also going to be looking ahead to the wsl2 championship lady said that tom um get out of the way now championship you know second tier we're quickly run down and we've got a business to talk about as well.

2:20Ross Halls:But the big news, though, Tom, is the retain list. Of course, it got released probably a month ago or something like that. But we've sort of wanted to settle down a little bit, wait for the kits to come out. I'm sure the girls will be back in pre-season training very shortly. But yeah, it's a retain list, my friend. Always interesting for the men and the women's team. You're always like, oh, who's gone? Who's going to sign the new contract? Shall we quickly talk about the players who have been retained? New contract offers have been made, which is not a surprise, to skipper Maria Boswell. Goalkeepers Laura Hartley and Natalia Negri.

2:55Ross Halls:Defenders Summer Hughes, Liam Mitchell and Megan Waring. Midfielders Charlotte Fleming, Lucio Bryan and Kyle Robertson. And forwards Sophie Peskett, Ruby Seabee and Natasha Thomas. Yeah, they were pretty much set in stone, do you reckon? There's a few there who, they're here forever. Like Natasha Thomas and stuff, they're probably here forever. Yeah, I don't think there's any surprises in who have been offered contracts at all, I'm looking forward to seeing Charlotte Fleming back, obviously she's been out for a long time since hashtag so it'll be good to see her back in the WSL too, so no real surprises with those that have been offered contracts Yeah, very much so and discussions are ongoing with youngsters, Katie J.

3:43Ross Halls:Bonwick and Nina Mialo. Of course, Katie J scored an absolute screamer. The goal of the season on her debut against Chaluton on the final day where town obviously clinched promotion and Nina Mialo has been on loan at AFC Sudbury, the goalkeeper, and also winning caps for the Philippines at senior level, which is great. She's now on the board with Natasha Thomas, which is great to see, winning a senior international cap. So yeah, we'll find out a bit more about their futures. And obviously the loan players have returned to their parent clubs, so Elki Boya, Lucy Wapson and Ruby Doe, who's actually left West Ham.

4:17Ross Halls:And that is a big talking point, Tom, because she's a free agent now. She's been at the club two times before. Could a third spell come? And that's a big question for you, really, my friend. Do you reckon she could come back permanently? It wouldn't surprise me at all. As you say, she's been back twice on loan, released by West Ham this summer. Very strong partnership with Kyra in the second half of last season, performed very well in the centre of midfield. I can fully see her coming back permanently. I think she would be a real asset to have in that centre midfield. I don't know how old she is now, 19, 18, 19.

5:02But when you watch her, you wouldn't think that at all. She is not afraid of snapping anyone's legs. She She goes in on tackles. She runs with the ball. She's not bad at striking from distance either. So I can fully see if Joe wants to bring her back. I wouldn't be surprised at all.

5:25Ross Halls:Let's have a quick look at how old she is. Let me just quickly have a little look-see. I can't find it on this thing. But, yeah, you'll know, ladies and gentlemen. but yeah I know a lot of the town fans do like her as a player and obviously she can score some good goals as well so we'll watch this based on that one I'm sure Joe Sheehan and Co have got their targets in mind and yeah at the moment they've not signed a player as we record I bet you anything we'll put this out and they'll sign a player just like the men's team we're like sort of waiting for that first signing and then you record something and then you're like oh they've signed somebody so we'll find out but we'll discuss that actually talk about maybe the positions they need to strengthen and maybe get that experience but let's talk about the players who have been released and some interesting ones.

6:11Ross Halls:Maybe one big talking point out of them all. We'll get to that very shortly, but let's just sort of run through it all. So defenders, Maisie Barker, Grace Garrett, and Evie Williams, and then forwards, Angela Anderson, Izzy Bryant, and Ella Robberford. And obviously the big talking point there is Maisie Barker because she had a really good season. She's now signed for Oxford. So she didn't take her long. She was snapped up straight away, I'm sure, when that retain list came out, teams were looking at it and going, wow, Maisie Barker's up for a three. She had a really good season, didn't she, Tom?

6:42Ross Halls:And yeah, surprise one. Yeah, that one is the most surprising out of them all because she's been here two seasons and pretty much has been a mainstay in the starting XI for most of that time. She can play either right or left back, which is really, really good to have. um so i am i am surprised but maybe you know they just thought championship bit step up but the fact that she's been snapped up so quickly by also too they themselves have real ambitions to get promoted um obviously they also signed holly turner so they're reunited um in the third tier so i think the fact that she was snapped up so quickly sort of tells everyone that you know she is a fantastic player to have, especially on a free.

7:32So, I mean, good luck to her. Might be seeing her not next season, the season after in the WSL too, hopefully.

7:43Ross Halls:Yeah, I was sort of sad, actually, because obviously she sort of joined town, as you said, two years ago after some big injuries. And then she had a few little niggles in that first season, but she really showed promise. And then last year, she was just flourishing down that ripe. And she's versatile as well. And she just runs for days. And I know there's a few town fans a bit disappointed that she's gone. But we wish her all the best at Oxford. And as you said, she's re-enacting with Holly. She's also got Zoe Barrett there, another former town player. So it's sort of like a little mini-itry town getting built at Oxford United.

8:16Ross Halls:So a team to watch in the third tier, as you say. Number of players, Grace Garrod, who is a really good friend with Maisie. She hasn't obviously been snapped up by any other team, but she obviously signed last season. Played pretty well. Once again, she got injured in pre-season, but then when she came into the team, she was really solid. Yeah, interesting one, really, because she's got a little bit of experience in the second tier. And obviously, this team are lacking that a little bit. But yeah, thoughts on that, my friend? A little bit surprising as well, because obviously she had injury problems last season.

8:50She was out for a fair while. But when she did play, she was really solid. could play centre-back or centre-mid and fill in that little hole when required. Her free kicks were always really dangerous. If it was in a promising situation, you'd probably normally say this is going in the back of the net. So it is a little bit surprising. But again, good luck to her in finding a new club. I think it would have been good to have kept hold of her. obviously I don't know what goes on behind the scenes and things and contract negotiations and all that. But as you say, she does have that experience at the second tier level.

9:38But, you know, the club have made the choice and, you know, she's another one that's been released recently. Yeah, I can imagine they've just got their sights on maybe a better player and who's got maybe more and more experience.

9:53Ross Halls:So, yeah, we'll find out a bit more on that. Then you've got Evie Williams, who obviously has been a young player, come through the academy. I think most likely that's more she wants to play games and she's most likely not going to play games with a championship team. I said it again, WSL team. So I'm sure she'll get snapped up by, you know, maybe a fourth-tier team or, you know, never know, third-tier team who she wants to be playing regularly because she's now at an age where she wants to do well. But I thought when she – at the start of the season, because she was playing, wasn't she, Tom? She had to come in.

10:21Ross Halls:So obviously I went to injuries and she did really well. And obviously she's never one of those players that Jo has obviously grown in the youth academy and wish all her best. Yeah, last season, actually two seasons ago, she was quite a permanent player actually at that left back spot for a long time. And last season obviously didn't get as many opportunities with Maisie and Summer and Leah Mitchell all doing really well. But as you say, she probably just wants to play games.

10:55And I wouldn't be surprised if she does go to somewhere like a Sudbury or, dare I say it, Norwich. You know, doesn't really need to move anywhere. Lower level, probably playing every game. Wouldn't surprise me at all. But, yeah, promising one that came through the ranks. And I'm sure she'll do really well. going forward.

11:20Ross Halls:Yeah, definitely. I'd be interested to see where she ends up. And then we've got like three forwards. And that definitely means we need to sign some forwards, Tom, going into this season. Because at the moment, we've only got Tash. And Tash Thomas is the sort of only recognised striker, really. Yeah, you've got Angela Anderson, who obviously sort of had a bit of a homecoming because you obviously came through the Youth Academy back in the day. And obviously, she's played WSL2. And then obviously, ended the season with an injury. Izzy Bryant, who, of course, ended the season on loan at Oxford. and then Ella Robertson, who obviously scored some big goals and obviously played the WSL 2 as well.

11:54Ross Halls:Thoughts on those three? I think they probably weren't much of a surprise. Definitely Izzy Bryant, who's probably another player that just wants to play regularly and I'm sure she'll get snapped up by somebody. Yeah, not really a surprise on any of them. Izzy, as you say, I think she was brought in. What was it? She came back from America, brought in January, a couple of seasons ago. And, you know, didn't play too much, but had a part to play every time she came on. Angela started the season really well last year, but as you say, got an injury, ended the season, you know, on the sidelines, not being able to play.

12:34So maybe they just thought that's something that she can't really come back from, that injury very quickly. and Ella, really important player last season, scored some really vital goals, mainly against Exeter. I think she scored three across the two games and both of them earned Ipswich points. So yeah, really, really good player. But I think I spoke to her after the last game of the season and it sounded to me at the time that she knew that she was going to be on her way because she kept saying whatever team joe takes to the championship i'm sure they'll do really well wsl2 um i'm sure they'll do really well so it seemed then that she knew that you know that was her time at ipswich over um but yeah all three um good players so i'm sure they'll land on their feet uh probably third tier level um yeah quite easily yeah we'll wait and see and see where they end up

13:35Ross Halls:I'm putting you on the spot here really Tom but how many signings do you reckon they need then if you think those let's quickly have a look who so the players released how many is that so you've got three defenders and then so six players released and you've got three players who have a return to the current club so that's nine players gone obviously retained you know most of the squad so goalkeepers probably set in stone defenders maybe need some maybe fullbacks potentially midfield maybe just one more midfielder and then maybe some more attacking players, definitely a forward, someone who should compete with Tash.

14:12Ross Halls:So nine players gone. How many do you reckon they need? I'd say six or seven. I think they definitely need to bring in players with experience, probably at WSL level, even if it's for a team that were battling relegation. Just someone that knows how to play at that level, knows the physicality of it, the pace of it, because I'm sure it's very, very different to, you know, National League level. So they need to bring in experience. Striker, definitely, probably one or two wingers, you know, certainly someone to compete against for that left-hand side, I'm sure. Sophie Bessket will start every game on that right that she's able to, but someone to be on that left and maybe come on the right.

15:05And, yeah, one midfielder and probably one centre-back and one player that can play right or left-back as well to replace Maisie Barker. So, a few signings needed over the next month or so. But I'm sure the club have been looking at signings probably since before they got promoted, looking at players who will be released and players that will become available and talking to people and things like that. So I'm sure they'll have it all figured out.

15:37Ross Halls:Yeah, definitely. And I've just realised, and I'm sure there's some listeners been screaming, I didn't mention Shauna Guy in the retain list. So I don't know why I forgot to put her name. So Shauna, if you are listening, I'm so sorry. I don't know. On my list, I just left you out of that. But you are still at the club, I'm sure. So yeah, obviously she presented at the end of the last season as well. But she's obviously didn't have a forward option there. But yeah, I'm sure Joe and co have got players in mind. Would they ever pay a fee? Could they, if they see a player? You just never know. I'm sure there won't be obviously loads of money, but if there's the opportunity there, there's a player there that's still got a contract and have a team and they really want him, then yeah, we shall see.

16:20Ross Halls:But it's going to be very interesting. But yeah, we'll find out. Let's move on, Tom. So some other big news. The retain list obviously is a big news, but this was sort of brought some waves to Suffolk and it's town women's sort of fan base because there'll be a new home for the Tractor Girls for this season in WSL2 and that is going to be down the A12 in Essex at the Colchester United's ground, the Job Serve Community Stadium. Your overall feelings on that, when you saw it dropped, obviously there was a bit of, you know, some whispers and rumours going on about they're having to move but sort of when you saw that, what was your first thoughts?

17:02I wasn't surprised. It was something that needed to be done. It was pretty evident that the club had outworn Felix Stowe, capacity of, what, 2 ,300 or something like that. So they definitely needed to move. Sad, obviously, because Felix Stowe has been their home for 12 years, I think. and all the players and Joe, every time I've spoken to them, they've all said that Felix Doe is their home. They really love playing there and they love the crowd, but they needed to move and Colchester is just down the road. I know people are a little bit upset that it's not even in the same county, but it is just down the road.

17:51A little bit of a pain to get to. the stadium quite famously so unless you drive it's a bit of a nightmare to get to so I imagine I'll be giving quite a lot of lifts to you next season but yeah needed to move 10 ,000 seater stadium now I was looking actually at the other stadiums in the WSL 2 and they would have gone from having one of the lowest attendances to being sort of mid-range out of all the teams there and behind the teams that play at the men's first team football grounds. So big move, big change, but one that definitely needed to be done. And it's only for two seasons. I think people are getting a little bit carried away by the fact that they're moving, they're ruining the club.

18:49It's only for two seasons and it's been publicly stated that they are looking at locations in Ipswich. But because they're in the second tier, they needed to move. It just wasn't liable that I'm staying at Phoenix. And this also helps me. I know that it's a pain for the fans, but the last game of the season last year was a nightmare to see anything, I'm sure. I can't see over people. I didn't even see Casey Jay's goal. I'm very sorry to her. and I heard the crowd, but I could not see over the crowd. So it will be very useful to actually be able to see what's happening on the pitch from a work perspective.

19:30Ross Halls:Yeah, and there'll be Wi-Fi as well for reports and for pitches and stuff. So that's a good thing. But yeah, I understand the disappointment. I know there's a lot of town fans who obviously sort of created that nice community down at Felixstowe because, yeah, the last decade has been really good at Felixstowe. So, you know, definitely in the sunshine when it's December time, bloody hell, although Colchester's can be cold as well because they've got some open stands. So it's going to be cold anyway. But, yeah, it was needed because of the league they're going to go into. The good thing, though, the club have put, obviously, some money into the Colchester's ground because that was also the big concern.

20:05Ross Halls:Oh, haven't you seen Colchester's pitch recently? Obviously, they've put a lot of, like, upgrades to it. So that's good. Obviously, the under-21s for the town men's team, they're going to be playing there as well, some games. And as you said, the club will be working towards, you know, securing a permanent home for the women's team in the Itchwich area at some stage. There'll be games at Porton Road, I'm sure, next season. Once again, a lot of people will be shouting, why not move to Porton Road permanently? But once again, that costs money in terms of stewarding and other bits and bobs. But you can just see at Phoenix, though, they sold out on the final day.

20:40Ross Halls:I know they don't sell out every game week in, week out, but when there is a big game, you want to start, you know, if we can get 10 ,000 down at Colchester for a really big game, that'd be amazing. And I know it is down the age 12 and it is a bit of a pain in the ass to get to, but I'm sure if, you know, if fans come together, you know, give lifts, maybe the club can put on coaches potentially, which I know it's a little bit annoying for a home game. You've got to get on a coach to go to a home game for the next two seasons. It is what it is. And yeah, I'm sure the club will support fans, you know, if they need any more information.

21:15Yeah. And it's also important to note that obviously WSL 2, WSL putting a lot of effort into broadcasting their games on YouTube and Sky Sports now have a right to WSL as well. And they broadcasted the WSL 2 game between London City Lionesses and Birmingham last season for the promotion. so it's clear that broadcast wise Felixstowe just wasn't going to cut it you'd need to build a you know big tower thing I can't remember the name of it but and then you know a camera whereas Colchester already has that facility um already there so yeah I think from that point of view they also needed to move um so they can you know stream games and get the women's game more easily accessible for people to follow.

22:11Ross Halls:Obviously, I know Felix still have had some BBC games there in the past because obviously when we got to the West Ham game a few years back, that was obviously on BBC, but that's once again they had to build something quickly but this time around it's Colchester and it's got to be every game. It's going to be sad. I've been covering the women's team for about eight seasons now and just going down to Felixstowe. It's been my routine. Going to the sweet shop, having a burger or something. I actually lived in Felixstowe last season for a year, so it was an easy trip for me to get to games. But it is what it is.

22:46Ross Halls:But I'm sure Felixstowe they understand. And I'm sure they're going to wish, and they have wished the club success. But we can always remember, though, last year that final day at the Martello ground, the team getting promoted and there'll be pitchers that will be remembered forever. So it's just on to the future now. We'll be playing at Coleshire United for the next two years. And as we said before, there'll be a permanent home in the future. So just go there, support when you can. And as I said, you know, there's a good supporter group there, which is Town Women's team. So if you're struggling to get the games, I'm sure they can help out and we shall see what happens.

23:21Ross Halls:But yeah, new home and a new thing for me and Tom, you know, to go down to A12, my friends. So, and that's a nice little segue onto the WSL too, Tom, because I wanted to quickly do a rundown of the teams that Town will be facing. because there's a lot of travelling involved and there's a lot of new teams that Town will be playing. I'll quickly go through them all and also talk about the league because there's three potential promotion spots. So there's two automatics spots that go straight to the top tier and there's also a promotion relegation playoff. And of course, there's two spots to get relegated as well and obviously Town.

23:58Ross Halls:I want to stay well clear of that. But let's quickly go through it and sort of let me know the teams I mentioned, who you're sort of looking out for. So you've got Birmingham City, who obviously have been playing WSL, you know, not that long ago. Bristol City, Charlton Athletic, Crystal Palace, Durham, so bloody far. Newcastle United, far again. Nottingham Forest, Portsmouth, who of course an old rival. Sheffield United, Southampton, another old rival, and Sunderland, far again. So yeah, those are 11 teams at town we'll be playing. Obviously, a few familiar faces. We've played teams like Cholton before, Palace before in pre-season.

24:37Ross Halls:Newcastle in the FA Cup a few years back. I think Forest were played in pre-season. They're another team that's sort of been battling, trying to get into the second tier for so long. I think they actually lost when they used to do playoff games where you had the two teams who won, the Northern and Southern. I think they lost that many times. Portsmouth, as I mentioned, Southampton as well. But yes, some travelling for Joe Sheehan's team. Yeah, lots of travelling. Obviously, last season, well, last few seasons, they've had Cardiff turned Gualia, which last season they went there three times and that's a five and a bit hour journey.