Latest news with #LucyO'Brien
BBC News
28-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ipswich Town Women exhilarated with promotion to Championship
Ipswich Town expressed their exhilaration after being promoted to the second tier of women's football. Town took an 8-0 victory against Cheltenham Town during their final game of the Women's National League Southern Premier season at their home ground in season, the Tractor Girls will compete in the Championship, which begins in September. Town captain and defender, Maria Boswell, said the success had been a whole team effort. "There is still a core group of us that have been here through all the highs, all the lows, quite a lot of lows sometimes that sometimes seemed quite hard to get out of," she said."We've had so many good people come in this year and join our team, and it's down to them, it's down to the ones who have been here so long."Midfielder Lucy O'Brien added that she could not put the promotion into words."There are so many emotions going on right now," she explained."I'm so proud to be part of this team, so happy. It's been an incredible season and it's a special day." Manager Joe Sheehan said the promotion had involved "a lot of hard work" over a long period of time."There's always been an expectation to do it, and that expectation has weighed really heavy at times," he said."[I'm] delighted that we've finally been able to achieve something that we worked so hard [on] for so long... I'm absolutely thrilled to finally get it done." Sheehan said he felt a huge amount of gratitude and appreciation for the people behind the scenes at the club who had "persevered" with the team over the years. "I'm looking forward to what the next few days will look like, really reflect, really celebrate and then prepare for what is going to be a really challenging but exciting journey next," he added. Fans were similarly left ecstatic by the Thomas, whose sister is forward Natasha Thomas, said it was "amazing" to see her sister's achievement."Seeing her do all of this is amazing, and all the girls have absolutely smashed it," she said."[Natasha] needs to keep pushing, she's not stopped, she's not going to stop."Another fan, Karin Nurdy from Ipswich, added it meant a lot to see Town "get what they finally deserve". Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Ipswich Town Women on 'special' record-breaking match
Footballers have spoken out about the "special experience" they had after a record-breaking crowd attended their most recent match. Ipswich Town Women took on Plymouth Argyle in front of a crowd of 10,807 supporters on Sunday, for their second time playing at Portman year, 10,173 fans attended their league fixture with Chatham Town which saw Town take a 5-0 Lucy O'Brien, who scored the opening goal on Sunday, said it meant "everything" to have such a large supporter turnout. "We know what a great fan base we have," she said. "Every week at Felixstowe people turn up no matter the weather and their support is unbelievable."To get a big turnout here is so special."The club usually played its regular home games at Felixstowe & Walton United FC. O'Brien was also emotional to see so many young fans in attendance."It means everything, to see the young fans here that we're inspiring - it's such an honour to be a part of that," she added."When I was younger I wish I had a game like this to come to and players to look up."To be able to inspire that next generation, it means the world."Town striker, Natasha Thomas, added: "It means a lot, not only being here at Portman Road, we knew we needed to get three points... I'm glad we're back on the scoresheet." In attendance during Sunday's match was Town supporter and singer-songwriter, Ed was captured in the changing rooms post-match enjoying celebrations with the about the moment O'Brien said: "It's a special, special experience for us."He's obviously such a famous, well-known person, but he's so down to earth."He's such a nice guy and [I'm] honoured to be able to share that moment with him and I wonder if he knows my name now."The club is chasing promotion from the FA Women's National League Southern Premier sit top of the league above Essex rivals Hashtag United. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
