Steph Houghton: “We were top of the league for a reason at the stage it ended – we were consistent and we were ruthless...”

This week, the team and staff are preparing themselves for a return to training, which brings on a new era with new manager Gareth Taylor at the helm, a new recruit in England starlet Chloe Kelly and a rumored extra investment and extra motivation, according to the skipper.

Houghton said-

“We’re getting so much closer to a return and I’m really excited like the rest of the girls,” the 2019/20 Etihad Player of the Season told ManCity.com.

“It’s been strange but it’s important that we stayed safe. We’ve missed football so much but we’ve had to bide our time and make sure we look after each other and our families.

“You take for granted a little bit how lucky we are in the sense of getting to go into the City Football Academy every day, being around people – not just the players, who are teammates and friends – but the staff as well.

“It was the right action to take but ultimately, we can’t wait to get started again.

“You miss seeing the same old faces, like in the canteen or on reception.

“Last season was not the season we would have wanted. We weren’t able to finish but if I look back, we did really well.

“We were top of the league for a reason at the stage it ended – we were consistent and we were ruthless.

“We could have been better but at the same time, it’s a long season.

“Personally, and I’m sure I speak on behalf of the rest of the girls, we have an extra motivation come pre-season.

“We have a new manager as well and everybody will be wanting to impress Gareth and start brightly.

“Most importantly, we have the motivation to win trophies for City.

“We haven’t won the league for the last three years so that has to be the priority going into next year.”

Hope they do well! The CIty’s women side is so close to breaking in to the elite of European football. Will see if a bit more investment can vault them there.