BARNSLEY Women’s FC completed their season this week and will be looking to compete for the title next season.
They finished fourth in National League Division One North – the fourth tier in England – after a 2-0 home loss to Newcastle United in their last game.
Lois Daniels’ side finished on 37 points from 22 games after last season collecting 23 points and finishing one place and two point clear of the relegation zone.
Chairman Steve Maddock said: “We set Lois, in her first season, a target in private of top four.
“We know we should have finished third easily and, earlier in the season, we had dreams of winning the league.
“But it’s hard when you’re playing against teams like Newcastle United who have a massive budget and pay some players £1,500 a month.
“We had a great game against them at St James’ Park in front of nearly 30,000. It’s been a really good season overall.
“We haven’t discussed a target for next season yet but I would imagine we will be aiming for first place.
“I don’t think we’re far off.”
The club is based at Wombwell Town but they are still looking to build and own a permanent ground of their own.
“We started off looking at Broadway then the council ushered us towards Hoyland and that has been taken away but some people think it’s not totally dead. We’re at Wombwell now who have been fantastic for us but it’s not our own ground.
“The fight goes on and every day we are working on it.
“It would be nice to find somewhere before next season.
“I started five years ago and I am still as passionate as when we started, as is everyone else at the club.
“We are not here today, gone tomorrow people.
“We want Barnsley Women flying in the top echelons of women’s football and there’s no reason we can’t be.”
They are not the only women’s club in the town – with Oakwell-based Barnsley FC Ladies having been promoted this season into the division below them.
Maddock said: “Good luck to them.
“They have the men’s badge but it’s what the club want to do with them.
“The club have a lot on their plate with the men’s team.
“But any women playing football in this town is positive for the game.”
