Football / Bristol Rovers Women
‘We’re trying to grow the Bristol Rovers brand as much as we can through women’s football’
Bristol Rovers Women manager Nathan Hallett-Young was full of praise for his team after their 9-0 loss to Aston Villa.
“The result on paper doesn’t look great but the result in the stands looks better,” Hallett-Young told Bristol24/7.
“We had so many fans, so many Gasheads, out to watch us today. That was huge. It shows that our support and our following is massive, and it’s a massive part of what we’re trying to do.
is needed now More than ever
“We’re trying to grow the Bristol Rovers brand as much as we can through women’s football.
“It’s showing that we are inspiring the next generation and a new group of supporters as well. They were brilliant today. They pushed us through right to the end.”
Bristol Rovers defender and Yeo Moor Primary School teacher Laura Barrett battles for the ball with Aston Villa’s Brazil international Gabi Nunes – photo: Nathan Stirk / FA via Getty Images
When Aston Villa’s teamsheet came out before kick-off, Rovers knew they were going to be in for a challenging night.
“They went full-strength with their team and they showed their full quality and the gulf in class early on,” Hallett-Young said.
“We started quickly, we started well… but when they moved the ball and shifted it so quickly, we couldn’t handle it and it showed.
“But you can’t fault the girls as to how strong-minded they were throughout the whole game.
“They were able to slow the game down at the right points and were able to stop the barrage of goals…
“We started this season talking about consolidation and now we’re definitely competing. We’re now pushing to that next level.
“Today is one of those days when we can analyse the level and then keep pushing again to see if we can take any elements of their game to make us better.”
Bristol Rovers players and staff pose for a team photograph following their FA Cup fourth round match against Aston Villa at the Bescot Stadium – photo: Nathan Stirk / FA via Getty Images
Rovers director Khaled Alkandari was among the Rovers contingent who had made their way to the Bescot Stadium in Walsall to watch the game on Sunday evening.
Since April, the Gas Girls have been part of the club having originally been founded as an initiative of Bristol Rovers Community Trust.
“It’s been an amazing journey so far,” said Hallett-Young, who has been manager since the team was reborn in 2019.
“Credit to the Community Trust for everything they have done in the previous seasons for us but this is just another level now and today shows that.
“It shows the investment and how well women’s football is thought-of at the club and where they want to take it.
“This whole day typifies where we’re going.”
Poppy Warren lifts the cup on the shoulders of George Hunt – photo: Nathan Stirk / FA via Getty Images
So where are the Gas Girls going next?
For Hallett-Young, “it’s now about competing at the top end” of the league: “Can we challenge at the top and push on to that next level?
“I think the league has gone in terms of winning it but can we get as close as we possibly can to the chasers? And put us in a great position for next season.
“Can we put ourselves in the conversation for competing for the title next year?”
Main photo: Nathan Stirk / FA via Getty Images
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