Over the last four years, Edinburgh University Women’s Football club has developed into the largest and most successful women’s football club in Scotland, both on and off the pitch. The club now has three teams competing nationally, and the coaching staff has tripled in size.
The past week saw Edinburgh University Women’s Football first team crowned champions of the BUCS (British University and Student Sport) Scottish League for the second time in three years.
The team finished the season unbeaten with 26 points, one point clear of closest rivals Stirling University, and no goals conceded at home. The league winning side has taken on tough competition this year in the most competitive top league in Scotland, with wins against Glasgow, Robert Gordon, Strathclyde, St Andrews, and Stirling.
Last week the team travelled to play Stirling in a crucial showdown, knowing they would need a win to stop the title from staying with Stirling. A draw would not have been enough for the Edinburgh side if they wanted to enter the final game of the season to become champions.
The latest game saw the Edinburgh outfit win 2-0 and secure all three points, almost guaranteeing them league success. Hannah Craig, first team Captain and member of EUWAFC for her four years at the university, said: “It’s great to win the league undefeated. We had to dig deep a couple of times away from home this season, but we got the results we needed and all the hard work and commitment has paid off.”
The champions now turn their attention to two more student knockout competitions, with a British Trophy match in Leeds next week and quarter final tie in the Scottish Student Sport (SSS) National Cup still ahead.
Head Coach Mike Ross has overseen the growth of the club over the last four years alongside a dedicated committee of students. He said: “Our objective at the start of the season was to win the Scottish League and thankfully we have managed to do that playing good attractive football”.
He continued: “The standard of women’s football is growing and University football has really taken off over the last few years with international players being involved when not involved with clubs. We now turn our focus to the two remaining cups and will prepare for some very tough games.
“I am so proud of the club and grateful for the support of all the girls who have played a part since I began four years ago and the continued support of the University. Three teams compete every week and every training session we have over 60 players attend, it’s remarkable and I expect it to grow further.”
The club is hoping its success will not stop here. The second team is currently sitting at the top of the Scottish BUCS 2A league and looking for promotion to Division One. Last Wednesday they took on Queen Margaret University at Peffermill in a consequential game that saw the home side comfortably secure their place in the semi finals.
Image courtesy of EUWAFC