Sampson see's club growing stronger

23 September 2011

Sampson see's club growing stronger

Bristol Academy's proud boss, Mark Sampson loves the 'can do' attitude of everyone involved at the club as they continue to outstrip expectations...

"Ever since we won the FA Women's Cup semi final we have been looking forward to the opportunity to compete on Europe’s greatest stage and now it is very close there is a real excitement and anticipation around the place for the game. We have had a couple of weeks now since we lost to Lincoln in the Continental Cup, which in hindsight, has been ideal. It has allowed some of the players the chance to mentally refresh themselves as well as a number of players going away with their respective international teams. This has given them a fresh environment to work and retain their fitness levels and now return to us ready to go for another massive challenge. Now we have a very short amount of time to work as a full group to be ready for the 1st leg on the 29th.

"The whole event has seen a huge undertaking of work by many people at the football club, without any support we have had to handle everything ourselves and now having worked incredibly hard we are ready to go. You would expect that given we are representing not only our football club, but alongside Arsenal, we're representing the country and representing the WSL, we would have had support from the people within these organisations...but no we have had to get through on our own. Let’s see how many come and show their support at the home leg.

"It has therefore given me immense pride to watch our ambassadors out there every minute of the day, trying to sell tickets. Our secretary has been in constant contact with our Russian opponents to make sure everything is right for our trip. Our Chief Executive has been rushing around trying to find the cheapest flights and that is just the start of it! This is what our football club is about, the sum being greater than the combination of the parts. Everyone is standing up to be counted for the good of the club. As challenging as this period has been, it has just shown us no matter how small the organisation, with a strong togetherness and work ethic, anything can be achieved.

"On the field we are as close as we can be to a fully fit squad, unfortunately Molly Clarke won’t be available for either leg which will be a loss to us as Molly has matured very well over the course of the season and if fit would have had an important role to play in the tie. We know we are in for a tough match with our opponents narrowly missing out on the Russian Championships and recently strengthened by the signing of top players from the WPS. We will need to focus on what we are trying to do and make sure we are ready to compete for both legs of the tie. In the WSL we have taken points off Arsenal and Everton who made it to the semi and quarter final respectfully of the Champions League last season so there is no reason why we should not be looking to progress to the latter stages of the competition. Come game night we will have a healthy mix of youth and experience and all the players will know if we produce our best we have the potential to progress. Being part of a special competition like the Champions League doesn’t come round very often, but as always: come these big occasions, players and teams can come from nowhere and make their name on the biggest stage! I am looking for some of our players to step up and make a name for themselves and play their part in making this team the surprise package of this season’s Champions League.

"Every step of the way this season, we have been written off. Even before the season we were told we had no hope of a place in the WSL. We got in. We were told we would finish bottom of the league. We finished fifth. No one thought we would get 1,000 people through the gate at a home game. We got 1,200. We were told we had no chance of making it to a Cup Final. We got there. No one ever thought this club could qualify for the Champions League. We have. This club will continue to keep fighting to prove people wrong and achieve ambitions no one else has dreamt of.

"The history speaks for itself and we are ready to make sure we give it our very best shot to create another piece of history for our club."

Early bird tickets are priced at £5 for Adults and £1 for Concessions which can be brought now. Tickets are available to buy online, by phone 0871 222 66 66 or at Filton College WISE Reception.

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