FTU Ladies – N. Wales Womens League East Champions 23/24

Flint Town United Ladies was formed in 2022 by a group of friends who had a keen passion for football, and who enjoyed supporting their local football club, Flint. With help from FTU members, the friends advertised an open training session to gain players. After a successful training session, the team was quickly formed. Within the space of a few weeks, FTU’s very first ladies’ team was in full swing and ready to compete in their first season in the North Wales Women’s Football League !
Dan Smith, a friend of one of the girls, took on the mantle of the team’s coach/manager. Ambitious to succeed, the Ladies had an exceptional first game, defeating Llanfairfechan and keeping a clean sheet in a 3-0 win. The success of the game allowed the ladies to believe in themselves, feeling proud playing for their town and eager to do well in the League. With a small crowd supported by friends and family and a team full of hope, FTU ladies had well and truly kicked off.
No one was under any illusions that the first season would be tough. The team was hit hard after facing continuous losses, turning up to game with no subs, and having inconsistent numbers both at training and matches. Despite these challenges, the core of the team remained positive, developing strong bonds with one another and, most importantly, improving their football skills.
Elliott Hale was brought in from Nomads to work alongside Dan, as the coaching side was strengthened. The second half of the season saw a huge upturn in fortunes, rewarding everybody’s perseverance and dedication. The team had been steadily growing in confidence, showing progress after each game. With new signings and more goals being scored, they worked their way up the leader board.
Towards the end of the season, FTUL were wining game against teams that were much higher in the league, something that would have been unimaginable earlier in the season, and were proving a force to be reckoned with.
The season ended with FTUL finishing a respectable 9th in the table, having amassed 19 points. With the addition of key sponsors and ongoing support from the club’s volunteers, the Ladies were now in a strong position and much better prepared for the challenges of the new season.
A restructuring of Women’s football meant that the North Wales league was divided, with FTUL competing in the North Wales Women’s Football League East and the Betty Pickering Cup. A full squad of 22 players were assembled for the new season, and with Dan Smith having departed due to work commitments, Elliott Hale took on the managerial responsibilities, bringing in Dan Kelly to work alongside him as coach.