Football / Bristol Rovers Women
The dad and daughter team at the heart of Bristol Rovers Women
When Bristol Rovers Women begin their National League campaign on Sunday, a dad and daughter team will be at the heart of the action.
On the pitch, right-back Layah Douglas is the Gas Girls vice-captain. On the touchline, Chris Douglas is the team’s assistant manager.
Now both integral in the club’s setup, Layah and Chris both have high hopes for the upcoming season which starts with a tough fixture against AFC Bournemouth, who are tipped as one of the favourites in the Women’s National League Division One South West.
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Gas Girls right back Layah Douglas has been named vice-captain for the upcoming season – photo: Bristol Rovers Community Trust
Playing on the manicured turf of the Memorial Stadium and training at the Quarters in Almondsbury is a long way from back garden kickabouts where Chris helped Layah hone her skills.
Chris was in Bristol City’s academy as a youngster before playing semi-pro at teams including Mangotsfield, Keynsham and Paulton.
He now owns a taxi business but remains a football obsessive, thinking about football “all the time” and watching every game possible.
He offered his services as a volunteer for the Gas Girls in order to assist manager Nathan Hallett-Young not long after Layah joined the club.
“It’s one of those where all the parents are on the sidelines thinking that if only they could implement that,” Chris told Bristol24/7.
“I was ready to put my money where my mouth is essentially, and come and help implement what I thought could help tactically-wise. I just came in to do a couple of sessions and this is my second season now!”
Chris joined midway through the season when the club were in tier five, missing out on promotion by just one point, with his first full season the most recent promotion-winning campaign.
He works specifically on the defence, with two of his key philosophies staying compact, and making sure when the team have the ball they do not lose it.
“Previously we had a good defence, but I saw some little gaps that I thought I could really help tighten up.”
Layah Douglas (left) and her Bristol Rovers Women teammates begin their National League campaign on Sunday – photo: Rhys Buchanan
Layah is the oldest of Chris’ two children, with the pair having regular one-to-one extra training sessions.
“It’s not really any different to what we do in the park or on the field,” Chris explained. “She is quite dedicated so she’s always on my case for extra training.”
Chris added: “I’m definitely a believer of the universe working in mysterious ways. Something just felt right for me to say to Lay, let Nath know if he wants some help, I’ll come in and help.
“Actually, we gelled straight away. We work really well and bounce off each other. What he hasn’t got, I can help him with and what I haven’t got, he helps me with.
“We can disagree on things quite easily as well but we find a way forward to ensure the team is going forward in the best possible direction.”
Following the women’s team becoming officially part of Rovers after initially being founded as an initiative of the Community Trust, Chris and Hallett-Young have spent time with their counterparts in the men’s side.
Chris’ ambition with Rovers is to get the team – and himself – to full-time football. “Once we get there, then we’ll look at the next goal but that’s ultimately it. I wouldn’t want to do it anywhere else.
“I didn’t think that I would enjoy working within a team as much as I do but being here has changed my outlook on it.
“Moments like seeing them playing at the Mem, enjoying their football. I love helping them achieve their goals so when you see them taking those steps forward, those are things that make me proud to be a coach and helping those players.
“You don’t necessarily get too many rewards because they are the people who get seen. We want to be the best. They go to war on the pitch and we go to war with the other coaches.”
Bristol Rovers Women play AFC Bournemouth at the Memorial Stadium on Sunday, kicking off at 2pm. Tickets cost from £4 for adults and from £2 for under-14s, with free entry for men’s season ticket holders.
For more information, visit www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/match-preview-bristol-rovers-v-afc-bournemouth
Main photo: Bristol Rovers Community Trust
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