Glasgow City sign striker Sarah Crilly

Scottish Champions,  Glasgow City Women’s Football Club, are delighted to announce their first new signing of the close season after capturing striker Sarah Crilly from Hamilton.

The forward, who recently turned 21,  is in her third year at the Scottish National Football Academy at Stirling University where young Scottish talent  combine football with full time higher education.

A former youth international at Under 17 and Under 19,  Sarah made her senior Scotland debut this year  scoring in a closed door friendly against Norway.

Speaking of her move to City, Sarah said: “First, I’d like to thank Glasgow City for giving me this opportunity. They have achieved so much over the past few years within the Scottish League and the Champions League and I hope I can contribute to more success in the future.

“It’s a new challenge for me as an individual and one that will require a lot of hard work and determination which I’m committed to giving to the club.

“I’d like to thank Hamilton for everything they have done for me over the years.  They have made me the player that I am today.  I also give special thanks to Kevin Murphy – without him I would not have progressed as far as I have in my football career.

“Kevin is a great coach and also a great person.  Hamilton are a fantastic club with lots of ambition and there is definitely a bright future for them if they continue on their current road.  I look forward to starting pre-season training in January with City and I will enjoy training among some of Scotland’s top players and coaches.”

Glasgow City Head Coach, Eddie Wolecki Black, said:  “It has taken a while but I’m glad, finally, to have got Sarah on board. We tried to sign Sarah a number of years ago when we first started up a reserve side.  She was an up and coming young prospect and although we were unsuccessful then and again a year ago, we never gave up.

“She will certainly bring a lot to the team.  She has great pace, vision and awareness.  She will work hard for the team and is very ambitious. I know the players at this club will be very pleased to have her as a team mate. The coaching staff and I are looking forward to working with her very much.  I am certain she will be a huge success at Glasgow City.”

Light start to Paralympic Torch Relay

Families enjoyed an exciting Flame Celebration at Glasgow’s Tramway on Sunday as part of the nationwide Torch relay to mark the Paralympic Games which start in London on Wednesday 29 August 2012 till Sunday 9 September.

Glasgow’s two Ambassadors, Jodie Taylor and Maggie McEleny, collected the flame from the lighting ceremony in Edinburgh and brought it, safely, to Glasgow where it was officially welcomed by the Lord Provost, Sadie Docherty.

Visual artists helped waiting families at the Tramway and its Hidden Gardens, create torches and flower garlands to line the route of the torch procession. They also made a collage inspired by The Flame and The Games. Sporting events included boccia, basketball and other sports.

Glasgow’s Lord Provost said: ‘We have provided an amazing welcome for the flame. Sport and activity is for all. Now we will be cheering on our Team GB athletes.’

Locog chair Lord Coe said: ‘Created at the summit of Ben Nevis, the Scottish Flame represents an achievement of human endeavour, which is something that every Paralympian represents.’

Four scouts and climber Kevin Shields lit the flame on Ben Nevis. It was then placed in a lantern, brought down the mountain and taken to Edinburgh. It will continue around the UK – including visiting the home of the Paralympic movement at Stoke Mandeville – before being carried in a 24-hour relay into the opening ceremony.

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said: ‘The talents, dedication and hard work of Scotland’s torch bearers and Paralympians GB is, quite simply, inspirational. I’d especially like to send my best wishes to the 26 Scottish Paralympians.  I know the whole country will be cheering them on throughout the Games.’

Scottish sport minister Shona Robison added her welcome: ‘I have no doubt the Paralympics will encourage disabled people’s participation in sport and significantly transform disabled people’s lives, leading to a more inclusive society for everyone.’

Performances at the Tramway included the Limelight Band and Maggie Riley. Visitors also heard Joseph Delaney, the first disabled musician to graduate from a University music course in Scotland.

Indepen-dance brought all weathers to the Hidden Gardens with their beautiful performance of Forecast and Solar Bear’s Deaf Youth Theatre signing choir performed a brilliant rendition of Sunscreen.

City players vote to win the semi final

By Laura Montgomery

Voting day has a special significance for Glasgow City, the women’s football team based at Petershill Park in Springburn. They meet Forfar Farmington in the Premier League Cup semi-final on Thursday 3 May when local elections take place across Scotland.
Having won the trophy two seasons ago, but knocked out at this stage of the competition last year, Assistant City Coach Donald Jennow knows his side need to keep their focus to progress against a talented and committed Forfar side.
He said: ‘On Thursday we will take on Forfar for the second time this season. As is so often the case at City, the big games keep coming. Having just faced Hibs and Celtic, back to back, we have this midweek game against a stubborn Forfar side. It was at this stage last year I tasted defeat for the first time with City and in seasons past the League Cup has proved a bit of a stumbling block for us. ‘We hope to put that right this year. All involved at the club are very keen to progress in the competition but are fully aware of the challenge we will face. Forfar will be a determined side and I’m sure all involved at Forfar will relish the opportunity to compete in the club’s first semi-final. For us, we will rely on our experience to hopefully guide us through to the final. Make no mistake, we do not take any opposition or any competition for granted. We must earn every victory, every point and every trophy we ever want to hold and that is what we aim to do on Thursday.’

UPDATE

Glasgow City defeated Forfar 4-0 on Thursday at Hill of Beith to progress to the final of the SWPL Cup. Goals from Lisa Evans, Leanne Ross, Eilish McSorley and Jane Ross. Full match report elsewhere on website.

Women’s football kicks off for the season

‘We are back in business – the 2012 season has begun,’ says Laura Montgomery reporting on the Glasgow Premier League of women’s football.

Glasgow City got the new 2012 season off with a bang with a resounding 10-0 victory over Kilmarnock in Ayrshire in the first round of the Premier League Cup.

With a number of players out with a virus and nine City players involved in recent international action, Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black had fewer than usual to choose from. As always, the players who did take to the field, did not let City down.

Killie nearly pulled off an instant shock when City’s Lee Alexander was forced to pull off a good save at the feet of the Killie striker to keep her side level after five minutes. That was Killie’s only real chance of the match. City went on to dominate play and possession for the rest of the game.

New signing, Julie Melrose got her own City account off to a great start with a goal on 14 minutes reacting first to a saved Leanne Ross shot, to fire into the back of the net.

Minutes later, City doubled their account when the busy Jo Love scored from a Jane Ross cross. Love then doubled her tally scoring her side’s third goal on 24 minutes after she was put through by Leanne Ross.

On the half hour mark, Jane Ross got her tally underway and three minutes before half time, full back Ciara Barnes linked brilliantly with Jo Love to score a fine team goal. A minute before the break and Melrose found the back of the net again, this time converting a Jane Ross cross from the by-line. The half time score was 0-6

In the second half, City kept the pressure on the home side. Shortly after the whistle got the game underway again, Jane Ross scored a great strike from outside the box. The Scotland and City striker was soon on target again, this time making space for herself inside the box before shooting past the helpless Killie keeper.

Substitute Eilish McSorley scored with a good header from a City corner on 75 minutes and with ten minutes remaining, Leanne Ross tucked another one away to make it 10-0 to the Scottish Champions.

Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black said, ‘I am delighted we are through to the next round which is always the main objective. We were on a really heavy pitch today, so I was pleased with how well we moved the ball around. And we scored some really good goals. The fact that we were down to 12 fit players out of our squad of 20 perhaps says it all. But it shows the strength and quality of our squad that the girls who played today, did a really good job. Credit must go to Kilmarnock who never gave up. I felt they worked their socks off for 90 minutes and never made it easy for us.’

 

Full results round up:

First Round Scottish Premier League Cup:

Kilmarnock 0 v 10 Glasgow City: City – Jane Ross (3), Julie Melrose (2), Jo Love (2), Ciara Barnes (1), Leanne Ross (1), Eilish McSorley (1)

Celtic 1 v 0 Hibernian: Celtic – Heather Richards (1).

Rangers 8 v 1 Falkirk: Rangers – Jen Callaghan (4), Alana Marshall (1), Cheryl Gallacher (1), Kirsty McLaughlin (1). Falkirk – Sarah Quilitti (OG), Sinead Goi McLean (1).

Hutchison Vale 1 v 3 Aberdeen: Hutchie – Laura Dunn (1). Aberdeen (tbc)

 

For more details see:

www.glasgowcityladiesfc.co.uk

Twitter: @GlasgowCityFC

Facebook: Glasgowcity Fc

Glasgow goes for Olympic gold to host 2018 games.

Glasgow is bidding to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games (YOG). The city declared its interest today to the British Olympic Association. That body has a deadline of 1 March to submit a bid for the UK to host those games and Glasgow is the only UK city to express interest.

Should the bid be made and should it win, around 3,600 young athletes aged between 15 and 18 would take part in 28 summer Olympic sports over 12 days of competition.

The first Youth Olympic Games was held in Singapore in 2010 and the first winter YOG Games was held in Innsbruck earlier this month.

From now until the deadline the British Olympic Association and the City’s representatives will work together to develop a submission. Ultimately, the International Olympic Committee will produce a short list of candidate cities in January next year. The winning host city will be announced in the summer of 2013.

The athletes will not only compete at the highest level of international youth sport, but will also take part in a Culture and Education Programme, which is a core element of the Youth Olympic Games.

Glasgow City Council Leader, Councillor Gordon Matheson, said: ‘Our submission for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games is a strong one; reinforcing our credentials as hosts of world-class sporting events and underlining our continuing determination to ensure Glasgow has an enduring legacy which will benefit the city for generations to come.’

The Dear Green Place will play host to some of the Olympic football events this summer when the Games are centred in London. And it hosts the Commonwealth Games in 2014 as well as the World Artistic Gymnastics the following year. All of this is alongside top international meetings and athletics and gymnastics events.

Said Councillor Matheson: ‘The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will soon show a global audience what we can do in terms of hosting one of the world’s biggest celebrations of sport. Winning the right to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games would be another outstanding achievement for the city.’

Football ladies have Henson in their sights

Glasgow City stormed into the Henson Scottish Cup Final following a 3-0 win over Celtic at Ravenscraig on Wednesday 19 October.

Following  their League victory over the Hoops last Sunday, City opened the scoring through ex Celt Emma Woolley when she latched on to a shot from Emma Mitchell which Fay in the Celtic nets could only turn on to the bar.

It was 2-0 before half time after Eilish McSorley converted after Kat Lindner had cut the ball back from the goal line.

Substitute Danica Dalziel ensured City’s progression into the final when she scored in the last few minutes to make it 3-0.

Commenting on City’s progression into the final, Assistant First Team Coach Donald Jennow said, ‘The objective of tonight was to get to the final which we have done successfully. We set a target of maximising our fixtures up to the end of the season, and so far we have achieved what we set out to do. We aim to push on further from here. It was not our best performance tonight, by any means, but we can take positives from it. Once again the girls showed they can perform in pressure situations and we are delighted to be in the Cup Final.’

City will know their opponents when Hibernian take on Celtic Reserves in the other semi-final. The final will take place at Toryglen on Saturday 12th November.

 Follow Glasgow City ladies football team on: www.glasgowcityladiesfc.co.uk or Twitter: @GlasgowCityFC or Facebook: Glasgowcity Fc

Glasgow City to be crowned Champions on Sunday

by Laura Montgomery

Glasgow City women’s football team will be crowned SWPL Champions this Sunday for the fifth successive season irrespective of their result against Celtic as they kick off at 12pm at Petershill against their Glasgow rivals.

No other team has ever dominated the women’s game in Scotland for so long winning the last 16 home games in the Champions League. In addition, they have an match against Postdam looming.

Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black understands why many would think his players’ focus would be elsewhere. He said: ‘We have had a phenomenal season so far, but as I stress to the players every day, it is not over. We want to maintain our excellent League record and of course we also have a Scottish Cup semi-final on Wednesday, all before we even think of taking on German giants Postdam in the Champions League. Games are coming fast and furious for us just now. Many players are involved in the Scotland games and in our League, Scottish Cup and Champions League commitments. Without doubt, we have suffered due to injuries to key players. But that is why we have a strong squad. The players will be focused on Sunday, irrespective that the League is already won.’
City versus Celtic takes place at Petershill Juniors park on Sunday at 12pm and Sky Sports will be among the many press expected to be in attendance to see City lift the title. 

For more information see website:www.glasgowcityladiesfc.co.uk  or Twitter: @GlasgowCityFC  or Facebook: Glasgowcity Fc

Jo Love signs for Glasgow City

by Laura Montgomery
Glasgow City are delighted to announce the signing of Scotland midfielder Jo Love.
Previously at Celtic, Jo is City’s second key signing of the pre-season, suggesting some exciting times ahead for the Scottish Champions.
Announcing the signing, City Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black said: “Jo put pen to paper today and took part in our match against Chelsea. Everybody knows what a fantastic player she is – 98 Scotland caps for a player not long turned 25, speaks for itself. I am thrilled to have her at the club. We have an outstanding crop of players here and I am more than confident that Jo will blossom at this club and will hopefully help us to pick up more honours along the way.”
Jo, follows ex-team mate, Christie Murray, in the close season move from Celtic to City and has no regrets about leaving her former club. She said, “Like Christie, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Celtic and I have nothing but praise for the club. However, I felt it was time to move on and while it was a very difficult decision, it is most definitely the right one. I have played against City a number of times and everyone can see what a fantastic side they are. I cannot wait to get a number of training sessions under my belt and look forward to the upcoming exciting matches against the English Super League teams.”
www.glasgowcityladiesfc.co.uk

Glasgow City to take on Liverpool

Scottish champions Glasgow City take on Liverpool this Sunday, 21 November, in a Scotland versus England glamour challenge match at Petershill Park.
Without doubt, City have set the benchmark in the Scottish game, recently winning their 4th Premier League title in a row. Sunday’s match will allow them to test themselves against one of the top sides south of the border.
Liverpool are one of the sides allocated into the new English Professional Super League to be launched in March on the back of a 4 year deal with broadcaster ESPN who will televise the matches.
City and Scotland striker Jane Ross, is 1 of 5 City players at the SFA National Academy and trains up to 8 times a week, despite being a full time student at Stirling University. She and her team mates can only look on in envy at how the game is developing in England, but is looking forward to seeing how her side can compete at that level.’

She said, ‘What is happening in England with the Super League is obviously fantastic for the women’s game as it brings a professional league for the first time to the UK. We all wish it could happen here in Scotland as at present we could only dream of that level of sponsorship and FA financial support. Although at Glasgow City we are entirely amateur, each player trains a minimum of 5 times a week and although we combine it with full time jobs and studies as opposed to being paid for it, in terms of commitment, attitude and ability, I think we are right up there with the best of them. We have done extremely well in the Champions league in recent years and have aquited ourselves very well against teams and players who are the best in the world and are earning salaries we could only dream of. I hope we get a good crowd on Sunday as I really do think if people come and watch us play they will be impressed by the standard and will hopefully enjoy it enough to come back again.
Glasgow City versus Liverpool kicks off at 2pm on Sunday 21 November at Petershill Park, Springburn.

150 games and 100 goals later……

by Laura Montgomery

On Sunday 3 October Glasgow City striker, Kat Lindner, achieved a double milestone in Sunday’s 6-1 win over Rangers at Petershill, smashing in her 100th goal during her 150th appearance for the club!
Kat’s 150th appearance, since joining City in 2005, gives her a record bettered by only by 3 other current players
Not content with marking one piece of history, however, Kat bagged the first goal of the game, in the 11th minute, to notch up her 100th strike for the club, setting the team on the road to a convincing victory and another 3 points in the race for the clubs 4th successive Scottish Women’s Premier League Title.
Then, just to improve her strike rate even further, Kat netted twice more in the second half to round off a great day for her and the club.
Manager, Peter Caulfield, paid tribute to the striker, saying: ‘It is a great achievement for any individual in the game to score 100 goals and to complete this in only 150 appearances is testament to the quality that Kat possesses as a player.
‘She is fantastic at training and a great player to have around the club. She always plays for the team first and is also the creator for many of Glasgow City goals, she has made a huge contribution to our success.
‘She is now second in the all time Glasgow City goal scoring charts, behind prolific midfielder Suzanne Lappin who has 159 goals to her name, and I am convinced she will add many more to her current tally.’
Kat will have Suzanne’s tally in her sights when Glasgow City play Kilmarnock this Sunday, 10 October, at Blair Park in Hurlford, kick-off is at 2pm.

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