It's been a busy year for Harrogate Railway Ladies and like many teams we're enjoying a well earned break before the league kicks off again in January. We asked the first team manager Rich Burns to give us his thoughts on the last year and what we can expect in 2024!
Hello Rich, how has 2023 been for Harrogate Railway Ladies?
"It’s been such a busy but enjoyable year. At the start of 2023 we had the challenge of finishing the 22/23 season, our first with two competitive teams in the West Riding County Divisions. That season for me was all about ensuring we fielded two teams every week with no cancellations & we should be proud as we did it.
The rest of 2023 including planning & starting the 23/24 season has been an absolute roller coaster.
Going from two teams to four by creating the U18 Ladies pathway to Senior football & our 1st ever Development Team has kept us busy!!
Then came small matters like recruitment, building our Social Media presence & squads that can compete & challenge at the top ends of leagues, all things we have achieved by the way.
So 2023 has been busy, challenging & ultimately enjoyable hopefully for all."
What's been your highlight of the year?
"There are so many, seeing our Ladies Reserves & Development Teams topping tables, watching our U18s progress into Senior football, seeing players improve year on year, I could go on!
I suppose if I had to choose one thing it would have to be the Harrogate Railway Ladies Day event. To be able to celebrate ladies football for the first time ever as a club, whilst also raising funds for one of our own players Dee Swales for life saving treatment against Cancer. So many ladies taking part in football & the solidarity of us all in raising thousands for such a great cause. Personally that was an unforgettable moment to walk into a clubhouse packed to the rafters, all here for Ladies football & Dee, that was so special."
Yes it was a great day and really nice the local football community getting involved. You had some exciting news yourself this year - congratulations on being awarded your MBE. What was that like?
"I found out in December 2022 that I had been awarded an MBE & needless to say I was shocked from the outset, but flattered I had been recognised for my day job as well as my time in community football.
Almost a year to the day of finding out I had been awarded an MBE I was invited to Windsor Castle for the Investiture (December 12th 2023). I have to be honest, I knew little about the process, what to expect or even Windsor - Endless help from ‘the google’!
I arrived the day before, managed to get my Christmas Windsor experience, which was amazing.
On the day I arrived suited & booted to Windsor Castle where I was told King Charles would be presenting my MBE. I waited in the Queens Gallery with others & surrounded by an amazing world of art - I’m thinking is this for real?
Eventually the moment came where I walked into a room with an orchestra playing, the King holding my medal & was invited to be presented with it.
He asked about my work & also how ladies football is progressing. I told him about the amazing growth of the ladies game & how Harrogate Railway Ladies are going from strength to strength & he said he was pleased for the club & also for the ladies game. So King Charles is a Railway Ladies fan (or at least in my eyes).
Overall the experience was surreal & something i’ll never forget, a proud moment for me, my family & hopefully all associated with Harrogate Railway Ladies."
Absolutely amazing and thoroughly deserved! Lastly the ladies are straight back into matches on the 7th of January what are your hopes for the upcoming year?
"After such a strong 2023 my hopes are for Harrogate Railway Ladies to continue to grow & maintain the momentum we have now.
All four teams (1st, Reserves, Development & U18s) are in great positions in their respective leagues. Being super selfish though I want the 1st team to realise the talent they have as they can & should beat anyone on their day.
Bottom line my hopes are to continue to enjoy growing this club."
The ladies first team are straight back into League Cup action on the 7th of January at Republica Internationale and if you are reading this your majesty replica shirts are available through our friends at S66!
The club wish all our coaching staff, players, sponsors friends and fans a great new year and we hope to see you all soon!
