Tractor Girls Talk - Pre-season underway and five new signings

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0:37hello everybody it's me roscoe and welcome to the latest installment of the kings of anglia track the girls talk podcast the show where we discuss all things itch which town women of course the podcast sponsored by stardust spirits and molecular i've completely butchered that people know that i can't pronounce it already that's our new sponsor welcome to the show and I'm joined as ever by my right hand man cover of the Trattler Girls and that is Tom Cann. How are you my friend? I know you're sort of in the wars with your recovery, with your, was it your groin or your... My calves. Somehow both calves have gone.

1:13They just seem to switch between which ones are going to cause me jip for a few days but to be fair today has been a lot better I've been walking around without limping as much doing my my physio exercises which is very exciting but yeah no I'm all good thank you so much how are you yeah I'm good my friends I'm currently getting my kitchen fitted so there could be drilling and banging and all that sort of things going on in the background so I'll make sure to mute myself when I am speaking or not not speaking when Tom's doing the business discussing all things because it's a busy show because since we last recorded and as standard, things have happened, news, signings and all that stuff.

1:59I think last time we were on, we were discussing the two new signings, Page Peak and Rhianna Dean, looking at the fixtures. This time around, we're going to be discussing pre-season because that's underway. And yeah, Tom, you've got to get ready for the season if you've got to make sure those calves are feeling good before we go to Southampton and the rest of the season. And then, yeah, it's been five new additions which we'll get into And then we're going to discuss season tickets, which are selling really well. And also the Subway Women's League Cup, which has now been confirmed in terms of the group we're going to be in.

2:30But Tom, let's sort of segue on to the preseason. We will admit we've not been at the games because of just commitments and stuff like that. For one of the print friendlies, I was in France, so I couldn't really get to one of them.

2:42Ross Halls:But yeah, Tom, they've played two oppositions so far. I think there's going to be behind closed doors games being played as well. and yeah they've lost 4-1 against Wolves and beat Villa 2-0 so once again pre-season I'm sure Joe's the same it's not about the result it's all about fitness and the team gelling I'll take over let you take over as the drill sounds very loud yeah absolutely I don't think they'll be concentrating too much on the results as you say all about getting that fitness up gelling as a team obviously with seven new sign-ins they need time to work together and off the training ground, learn how they play and how Joe plays.

3:23So that'll be more important to the team and to Joe and the rest of the staff. Obviously, it is good that they have scored in both of their public friendlies. And it's great for for natasha thomas um to get to get the ball rolling um with with two goals against villa um but yeah that is just um just getting that fitness up it is interesting that um you know looking at the teams that played um in both the public friendlies joe went with the same um back four of you know leah mitchell uh maria boswell page peak and um beth and roe and then doe and uh Robertson in midfield. He went with both of those.

4:10Read into that what you will, whether that's what he's thinking going forward and his back line. It's all about getting those fitness levels up and gelling as a team and getting to know how each other plays and things like that. Very good, my friend. I think the worst of what's happening in my kitchen has just happened just now. That is perfect timing. I am going to skip through the pre-season. There's only two weeks to go now until the big kickoff against Southampton. But I'm sure there's stuff going on at the training ground for Joe and the team sort of getting ready for the season. But yeah, since we last recorded, there's been five new signings.

4:47I think the day of the podcast dropping last time, a signing was made and it was a returning face, which was very good to see. A player I think we were sort of predicting she was going to come back. So it wasn't a shock, but that is Ruby Doe, Tom. I'm going to bring up a picture. There's Ruby now in the, I think the third Itchers Town kit now. She's worn the home kit because obviously she's had three spells. This will be her third, obviously. She originally had a spell two seasons ago on loan from Arsenal. Did really well. Then came back last season in the second half of the campaign. And, of course, part of the team that got promoted.

5:19This time, though, that time was obviously at West Ham. And she got released this summer, Tom. But, yeah, she's now a permanent town player. You always say don't fall in love with a lone player. We did. And now, though, she's now a town player permanently. Yeah. been really good the last two times that she's been at the club and as you said I don't think it was a shock really to anyone I think if you were to say someone that they were probably 98 % going to sign it would have been her adds a lot of depth to that midfield options and with Charlotte Fleming still coming back from her injury she's formed a really good partnership with Kyra over the last two seasons knows how each other plays um is a really strong player as well for for someone that you know is so young and um you know doesn't doesn't look it she's not afraid of a tackle she's willing to throw herself about and um i think probably going to need that in the championship wsl2 uh probably going to need that at that level you know someone physical um um so yeah i think i'm really looking forward to seeing how she how she makes that step up to to the championship i'm gonna keep i'm gonna keep saying it championship level second tier level um and uh i know that she's obviously made a couple of appearances for you know west ham arsenal in cup games and things but it's good that she's now got a home that you know everyone likes her you know big fan favorite joe really likes her as a player popular player with the players, popular with the fans.

7:00So, you know, hopefully she can really push on and prove herself at second tier level as well.

7:07Ross Halls:Definitely. I'm going to make a tally though, Tom, for both of us. So three you've done so far. I've technically said it, but not in a form of like, you know, me saying it properly. I just sort of said it. So at the moment it's 3-0 to Tom, but in a bad way. I'm winning 3-0 at the moment. But yeah, good to see Ruby sign. I know she's a big character in the squad as well. And obviously, Joey's been a big fan of her, to sign her three times. And she's still so young. So it's going to be a player for the future as well. So hopefully be part of this team who will stay in the WSL too. Lily said the championship there, but I didn't.

7:43Ross Halls:But yeah, Ruby Doe. And then we're going to segue on to the second signing or the fourth signing of this summer. But the second in terms of the five we're going to be speaking about. and Bethan Rowe. I'm going to bring up a picture here. Here she is, smiling in the Porton Road seats. And she has got a lot of experience, Tom. Also a local girl. She was a Norfolk-born, so obviously up there. But she played for Norwich briefly. But she's obviously now been away for a while, playing for the likes of Brighton and Cholton. A very good player for Cholton as well, Tom. She's a versatile full-back, which Joe likes.

8:19He likes players who can sort of play in different positions. And, yeah, she's still young as well. she's only 25 so um a very solid sign on this one yeah very solid um made over 100 appearances for for charlton um in a time a lot of experience at wsl2 level um experience that is needed um in the ipswich town squad and and um you know she feels that whole of the versatile fullback that i think they may be lost with maizey barker um obviously being released and heading to oxford so yeah very very very good sign and I think she's going to bring an awful lot of know-how to the squad and a lot of energy obviously a popular player at Charlton as well she won 22-23 player of the year I think it is and England Youth International so she's certainly certainly been about and knows how how to play in the WSL 2 level which as I mentioned earlier, she was one of the players that has played both pre-season games and alongside a back four, well, technically back three, excluding her, that have never played at this level.

9:35So she can really help them out and give a little bit of insight into some of the players that they might come up against this season. Yeah, and I'm sure she's been on Joe's radar for a while because of the local East Anglican link and yeah she obviously played against us two years ago when I think that season where she won that polarity year because town played Cholton in the FA Cup we lost obviously I think 4-1 or 4-2 yeah 4-2 but we obviously had a good game against them and yeah she's now coming home in some sort of way coming to an East Anglian club so welcome Beffen next signing though Tom a player that's been abroad, Norway, France, and also around the country.

10:19She's signing from Sunderland. She just spent the last two years on the North East. So she's been about a journeywoman in football, you can sort of say. Bring her up here. There we go. We're holding the badge there. She is more experienced. She's 29. She's another midfielder. But yeah, what have you done your research on her? What have you found? And yeah, spells in France and Norway, which is very rare. Very rare. yeah I like the look of this one Jenna dear she as you say has an awful lot of experience not just you know WSL level and English football she has experience in Norwegian and French football which is rare particularly for an Ipswich signing so hopefully she can bring a lot of that and what she's learnt from playing in those countries if there's any differences and I'm sure she'll have worked under you know a lot of managers played with different players over her time she'll bring an awful lot of experience from from those past experiences to Ipswich Town obviously being older the Ipswich squad average age is you know quite young it's probably around 20 22 23 so I think having someone that that has been there and done all that would be really, really helpful in the changing rooms and on the pitch and off the pitch.

11:46Adds a lot, again, more depth to the midfield. Joe's got more options there now to choose from, which is really good. I'm sure that was obviously on his bucket list for the summer to make sure that he has at least three or four players to choose from in that midfield at any given time throughout the season. So it brings a lot of experience, adds a lot of depth. And yeah, looking forward to seeing how she does in an Ipswich Town shirt with new surroundings and players that she probably hasn't played with before.

12:22Ross Halls:Yeah, very much so. And yeah, this is the second summer in a row, that town of Sinopla who's played in Norway, because Grace Garrod, she had a spell in Norway as well, who we signed last summer. Of course, she's gone on to sign for Watford. Yes. but yeah it'd be interesting to see just jenna you know when we do get a chance to speak to her to talk to her about those spells um it'd be interesting if she can speak any french or norwegian i know um those countries normally yeah very much so so um yes i won't understand the answer if she does say anything no no that'd be funny she does that's i'm only gonna answer in french or norwegian but um but no that must have been great experience you know as just for a personal thing as well going to these countries and playing in those countries so it's great.

13:05Next player, I want to bring up the picture. If you are watching a video, if you are listening on podcast, this will be going out as a video as well. Check it out if you want to see our ugly mugs. But yes, let's discuss Grace Neville who is an international player. She's a New Zealand international, Tom. 25-year-old defender, 13 caps for her mother's country. She's obviously born in England and got an English father, but her mum is from New Zealand, so she decided to play senior football for New Zealand because she's won Cats for England

13:38Ross Halls:at youth level, but she signs for London City Lionesses, and I'm going to go over to you now, Tom, and discuss a bit more because that is very loud. Yeah, as you say, she won promotion last year with the London City Lionesses, played an important role, scored the club's first ever goal as well, which is quite an accolade to have for a WSL side as, you know, I scored their first ever goal when they formed as a football club. New Zealand International, I'm pretty sure it won't be too long before her name is added to the internationals board at Portman Road alongside Natasha Thomas and Nina Miolo.

14:18Up there is, you know, Ipswich Town Women International representatives. Part of the New Zealand squad that was in the Olympics last year as well, which must have been an amazing experience for her. so um you know despite being only 25 probably in a prime uh brings an awful lot of experience a lot of know-how um you know she another fullback as well uh i believe quite versatile so really um helps with that depth um i think this is a is a really really good signing i can see her being a really important player for Ipswich this season, not just with what she can offer on the pitch, but off it as well.

15:06Ross Halls:Very much so. And it's still very loud. So we're going to skip right to the final signing we're going to mention here, the seventh of the summer, Sophie Boygent, who is another young player, 21, I think she is, defensive midfielder, joins from Hashtag. So she's battled with us last season. Tom, let us know a bit more about her. Yeah, it's her first professional contract. Obviously played for Hashtag for the last couple of seasons. She's won back-to-back Essex County Cup. Essex County Cups. She scored a hat-trick actually in the final last year against Billericke at the JobServe Community Stadium in Colchester.

15:49her so hopefully she can bring that goal scoring at that stadium with her that would be very important and very helpful but yeah she's she's obviously a really impressive midfielder and you know we obviously we watched hashtag quite a lot over the last couple of seasons she's been part of a team that has pushed Portsmouth two seasons ago Ipswich last season to really you know up their game if they want to win the title she's been part of that squad really important member of that squad as well and as joe said in his interview with the um with the club when she signed you know she stood out as a player um which is you know really impressive to do when you know when you watch hashtag they have got a lot of impressive players in you know probably every position um so you know for her to to stand out as one that that joe wanted to to bring on board um i'm sure that she'll be raring to go full of full of excitement full of um you know drive to to really impress at the second tier level um i think it's a it's a very you know impressive signing again adds depth um i think that's the fifth um defensive midfielder now that they have at the club so um i think that's really really sorted that position out she won i think it was last year she won the fans players and manager player of the year which that's just incredible um to to achieve that so a really good pickup you know someone younger uh who hasn't played at the level yet but will be really hungry to impress um you know in her new surroundings new teammates um obviously played against ipswich quite a lot so know what what sort of style they play um um and you know some of the players so yeah it's um i think five really good signing or seven really good signings um five in this pod that we're talking about um they've all come on board this summer added a lot of experience but also young uh hungry players which i think when we were talking in the previous podcasts you know that's something that they did need to recruit is experience at the second tier level with, you know, obviously the players that were retained having not really had that much experience between them.

18:14It's, you know, they've certainly filled that void, you know, that they needed to fill. And, yeah, I think seven really good sign-ins. Can see a couple more coming in, though. Yeah, because I'm sure Joe wants to make sure he's sort of got all covers based. because, yeah, you just never know of injuries and just other bits and bobs. Yeah, seven very solid additions, as you mentioned. I think they've sort of covered in terms of experienced players. They've signed sort of hungry players who really want to push on in their careers because, yeah, there's obviously a lot of this team who have only played third-tier football.

18:52Obviously, that's Sophie Bajan and Ruby Doe. They've only ever played third-tier football, but they're looking forward to now getting an opportunity to play in the WSL too. So, yeah. Any other positions then, Tom? Do you think they need to sign just to strengthen a bit more? So defensive midfield is done. Joe, do not sign any more defensive midfielders. Only a few fans here. Maybe you just never know, like a player like Ruby Doe or someone like that. They could maybe go a bit forward. It really depends on how he sees them fitting into the team. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, we've seen it in the past.

19:24Lucy O 'Brien has sometimes dropped back to help Kyra in that defensive midfield role. I don't know what position I'll be honest Sophie Bajan scored her hat trick from it might well have been attacking midfield she might be one of those players that can play you know anywhere in that centre Ruby as you say can go forward as well and you know she has a wicked shot on her so there's a lot of change in that you can do with that that midfield I think maybe one more centre back might be needed obviously you've got three very good centre backs already at the club with Maria Boswell, Page Peak and Megan Waring.

20:04But I do think that maybe just having one more just in case there is an injury, you know, to one of them, obviously, last season got injured at hashtag and was out for a few weeks and managed to make it back before the last game of the season, which is really impressive. Actually, I think she made it back for a Portman Road game, which I don't think many people were expecting at all. So another centre-back I think would be helpful, just to have four in that position and three to have available for each match day. Maybe another winger as well. Obviously, they released Ella Rutherford, who has gone to Portsmouth, another player that we'll be seeing coming up against this season.

20:49Obviously, released Angela Addison as well, who's another player that we'll come up against who went to Durham. I think another winger might be needed. Obviously, I think they've got Sophie Peskitt, Shauna Gaia and Ruby Seabee at the moment. But yeah, one more maybe just to compete for either side, either position. And then obviously up top, you've got Natasha Thomas and Rihanna Dean. Maybe one more attacker, but I think they are very nearly there and ready for the championship. They've done an awful lot of work early on in this window as well, which is good. Gives them all time to gel. As a group, I think they'll be looking, if they are looking to recruit more people, they'll be looking to do that within the next week or so, just to give them at least a week leading up to Southampton.

21:47But yeah, I think the business that they've done so far is really good, really positive. adds a lot of depth and a lot of experience Yeah I hope they don't basically announce one as we publicise this podcast so hopefully not but I think the deadline is the 4th of September so to sign players permanently maybe loans as well I know there's obviously opportunities to sign free agents and if there is free agents out there it'd be interesting if they do go down the route of maybe another dual registration signing or a loan signing from a WSL team but yeah we'll watch the space but very good business from joe and co so far um let's talk then tom about the subway women's league cup because now we know the dates for it we now know the group we're going to be in we'll be in group d um with three matches to be played across the next three months um from september to october the town uh the blues will host leicester city at the job serve community stadium on the 24th of september that's gonna be a wednesday night under lights in Colchester.

22:53Then they'll be taking on Crystal Palace away on the 19th of October. That is a Sunday. And the final group game will take place on the 23rd of November. Also a Sunday. Newly promoted London City Lionesses. So Grace Neville will have a reunion with her former team in Colchester. And then, yeah, whoever finished top, they progress to the quarterfinals, which will be held at the end of December. But yeah, Tom, three tough tests in this competition. the first time that we're going to be playing in this. And yeah, take away. Really, yeah, really difficult group to be drawn in. Obviously, Leicester and London City Lionesses are both WSL sides.

23:32Leicester have been up there for a while. Palace got relegated from the WSL last season, so they recently had top-tier level experience as well. It'll be really, really tough. good that I think the two WSL sides are at home you know gives that that little bit extra you know chance to to get behind the the team and and you know really help them and it'll be a good test just to see how far Bitswitch are away from you know these teams that they want to be you know reaching the levels of and you know going beyond that it'll be a really good test to see how they fare up against um you know a team that got promoted last season and a team that are an established um women's super league side so tough draw um but good tests and i'm sure that joe and the team are really looking forward to to put in that um you know that to the test um up against these these sides obviously as you said grace neville coming up against london City line, this is Talia Negri coming up against Crystal Palace.

24:45I think there's going to be a lot of former players playing each other throughout the season and, you know, Ipswich players coming up against their former clubs and things like that, which just adds a little bit more spice and bite to each game. But yeah, it's going to be an interesting cup. They normally do quite well in cups, Ipswich Town women, so it'll be good to see how they perform against three really, really good sides. Yeah, definitely. Because I think the FA Cup, we're going in a bit later this year. I think maybe December, maybe? That's me just saying on the top of my head. Find out a bit more if you want to know a bit more about the FA Cup.

25:24But we won't be thinking about that, first of all, because we've got league and then obviously there's cup competition. But once again, Joe has built this squad to play in these competitions. I'm sure there'll be a bit of rotation. But because we're playing tough games, actually, you know, I'm sure most players want to play in it just to get those minutes. So, yeah, as I said, those games won every month in September, October and November. Leicester City at home, Crystal Palace away and London City Lionsses at home. And whoever tops the group will go through. So it'll be interesting to see how we get on.

25:53I want to talk, Tom, now about season tickets because at the moment it's record-breaking numbers. 300 have been sold so far. Obviously, they're a new home at the JobServe Community Stadium in Colchester. stuff um you know it was very sad that we're leaving felix though but in terms of the requirements needed for wsl2 they had to find the new home and it is in essex um but yeah it's good to see the town fans sort of supporting um the team getting those season tickets i'm going to quickly bring up the prices just in case you are sort of debating about it i know there's some people may just get a ticket now and then if they feel like oh you know what i can't commit to every game um but yeah the ticket prices are as follows adults are 75 pound that is in the east Weststand, seniors, 65 plus, is£50.

26:37Under-18s are£20. And under-11s, basically, you go for free with maximum of two paying adults. And if you want to be in the Weststand, the padded seats and all that and access to lay at bar,£150 for adults. And then there's also executive suites, if you fancy, in the Weststand with 10 seats available,£1 ,500. And if you want 20 seats, you can get£3 ,000. So it depends if you want to go in a massive group. but yeah Tom it's good that the supporters are supporting the team our 300 sold hopefully that will continue yeah hopefully I think that's a record amount of season tickets that they've sold which is really good early doors and as you say hopefully more will be snapped up I think it's really well priced I think you get 12 games 11 or 12 games at home which you know when an adult is 75 pounds that's really not a lot at all for for 12 games of football at second tier level as well you're going to be seeing a lot of good teams a lot of good players um you know and and it's um a really good um attendance so far that have been sold number that has been sold um and obviously i'm sure that you know that number will be a lot a lot higher when it actually comes to the games which is great new stadium obviously shout out to the Martello ground Felix Owen Walton it's quite fitting that the last game there was or last Citrachtown women's game was a 2-0 win with Natasha Thomas scoring both goals quite fitting and obviously they've been a fantastic host to Citrachtown women but obviously they've got a push on now and 300 season tickets sold with still three weeks over three weeks until the first home game.

28:28Really, really good. Yeah, and of course, the first home game in the league is against Norley and Forrest. So, yeah, if you're still debating if you want to go or not, make sure to go and support the girls. We'll be there to give you full coverage anyway. But yeah, make sure you get tickets. And of course, we're not far away now for the first game of the season in WSL2, which is a away trip to Southampton. Tickets are available for that. And I also want to give a big shout out to the Itchewstown supporters group because they do some really good stuff. I've seen they've been doing a lot of video content as well, which is great to see.

28:58But they're going to be running a minibus to the game. I think there's 50 seats available. So if you want to go and support the girls, obviously it's the international break for the men. So, you know, an opportunity to go and get your football fix on the weekend going down to Southampton. So, yeah, make sure to get tickets. Because the game is at St Mary's, isn't it, Tom? So that's another good thing as well. Obviously we'll be going to a lot of these grounds where they play on their men's grounds. So there could be new grounds that you guys can tick off as well if you haven't gone to St Mary's yet.

29:26Of course, the men have been there a few times over the last few years. But yeah, big shout out to the Itchristown supporters group because they do some good stuff and they keep you up to date with all the supporters news and stuff like that. So yeah, Tom, another Track the Girls Talk podcast in the books. We've got a season preview coming up soon, ladies and gentlemen. So stay tuned for that. We're going to have different categories and discuss hot takes, our predictions for the season. so stay tuned for that. But any other business from you, Tom, as we gear up for the season? I think so. Just looking forward to it now.

30:01Can't wait to get going. Another season of women's football and first time Ipswich will be in the second tier. So it's going to be a really, hopefully a really good season. One that I think every town women fan is looking forward to just getting going now. We've had a few weeks of men's football back. Just can't wait for the women's now.

30:31Ross Halls:Yes, my friend. Yeah, bring it on. And we'll be trying our best to bring you these podcasts as much as we can when we are at games and bringing you the latest news on the Tractor Girls. And we're hopefully going to bring you some exclusive interviews as well. And yeah, we're looking forward to the season ahead. But thanks again for joining me, Tom. Thanks again for everyone listening to another Kings of Anglia Tractor Girls Talk podcast sponsored by Stardust Spirits and Molechia to local businesses. So check them out. Use the code KOWAY at Manscaped, not Manscaped, what am I talking about? At Stardust Spirits.