Western Mail 8th Jan 2000
FA Women’s Cup
Mighty task for City as
they take on Arsenal’s
'Manchester United'
Cardiff City’s women footballers take centre stage tomorrow when they take on Britain’s top side, Arsenal, in the FA Women’s Cup.
City earned the plum home fourth-round tie by beating Chelsea on penalties last month.
Arsenal are the cup-holders and Premier League leaders, but Bluebirds captain Laura McAllister said her side would not be there simply to make up the numbers.
“Arsenal are clearly the best side - the Manchester United of women’s football - at the moment,” said McAllister.
“But we’ve got good players of our own and will be determind to give them a tough game.”
Altough Cardiff’s priorities are fixed on retaining their Premier League status after promotion last season, McAllister said a long cup run would be a bonus.
“We’ve done pretty well to be in mid-table in the league in our first season,” she added.
“This is our first season linked to Cardiff City men and hopefully that association will grow in future years.
“Some of the City fans have taken an interest and most are suprised at the standard of women’s football.
“It would be nice to attract more and have a really big crowd for the game.”
The tie also rekindles memories of Cardiff City’s men beating Arsenal to win tyhe 1927 FA Cup Final, the only time the famous old trophy has gone out of England.
The Women, South West Combination Champions three years running, have never progressed beyond the fourth round, though they have given the likes of Arsenal and Millwall stern tests at this stage before.
Women’s football is claimed to be Britain’s fastest growing sport and, as well as becoming the first side in Wales to link with a professional men’s side, Cardiff have also benefited from the appointment of a fulltime development officer Helen Croft at the Welsh FA.
The clubs proliferation of girls’ teams down the age groups 150 palyers often turn up at training sessions - augurs well for the future of the Women’s game at Cardiff City.
The senior side’s forward line also reveals a bias towards youth. One of the penalties heroines against Chelsea Jenna Hopkins, is only 15 and strike partner Alison Vickers is still a Welsh Youth International at 17.
Club coach Michele Adams relies on a great deal of commitment for no monetary reward for her players.
McAllister, one of several Welsh Internationals in the side, commutes from Liverpool, where she now lives and others come from Swansea, Newcastle Emlyn and Bridgwater.
“There are other rewards, of course,” said McAllister. “And games like these are one of them.”
Tomorrows game kicks off at Cardiff Athletic Stadium at 2pm.
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