Yeovil Town Women captain Laura Wensley is looking forward to leading the team out on Sunday at Huish Park, a stadium she has a close connection to.
The Glovers will start life in Tier 5 at home to Portishead Town after earning promotion as champions last season.
Yeovil-born Wensley supported her local team as a youngster, even featuring on the front page of the Western Gazette just before the new stadium opened.
“I’ve been to many games at Yeovil,” the midfielder explained. “I went to the FA Trophy Final at Villa Park. I went to the Play-Off Final at Wembley.
“I was actually on the pitch at Huish Park before it opened. There’s a picture of me on there with some other Yeovil fans when it was first opened. I must have been about six.
“There’s a big history between me and Yeovil, so it’s going to be good on Sunday. It’s gonna mean a lot, and a few of my family and friends will be there which will be nice. A nice header as well would be good!”
However, Wensley’s memories of Huish Park aren’t all positive, with the midfielder suffering a serious injury while playing there during her first spell as a Glovers player.
Redemption came more than a decade later when she finally got another opportunity to grace the hallowed turf – and the 7-1 demolition of W*ymouth made it well worth the wait.
“It’s not too bad now because I’ve played there since, but in 2013, I think we were playing against Leeds in the Premier League Cup and I broke my leg, tib and fib, in the middle of the game.
“I was out for probably about a year, maybe. It was a frustrating time because we were doing really well, and then that year they got to the WSL (Women’s Super League) 2, so I missed out a little bit, which was disappointing.
“But we played W*ymouth last year on the pitch and I got through those 90 minutes, so at least this time I can just concentrate on the game rather than the emotions behind it – which will be better, I think. It will be good for me.”
A total of 298 fans witnessed that thumping win over our old rivals, and a big crowd on Sunday will likely be in for another enthralling clash.
“I think Yeovil have always been really good at getting behind the women’s team locally. There’s always been a lot of support for us.
“So it’s just about getting to Huish Park and getting that support in person more than anything else. Bring the kids along – I think it’s going to be an entertaining game!”
Tickets for Sunday’s curtain-raiser are just £5 for adults and £1 for under-16s and are available to buy online, with the ticket office also open on the day.