Ahead of the new season, Chatham Town Women have retained most of their three-trophy winning team from last season with striker Amy Russ having joined Keith Boanas’ side.

Boanas has been busy looking to strengthen his Cup winners as they look to push on in the League, and with that in mind has already strengthened his squad. 

Russ has joined the Chats from Dartford as the Medway side will be looking to regain their National League place in the months ahead after coming close to an immediate return last season, and the new girl at the Bauvill has been talking to KSN… 

“It is going to be quite a big step up from where I was playing last year,” she admitted. “I have already seen that the fitness is a lot more and from playing against the girls last year, I know just how competitive it’s going to be.” 

“They/we are so tight off the pitch it’s great – there’s so much support it’s amazing and they have made me feel so welcome. On the pitch it’s great but behind the scenes is a different level and we are all focused on getting that League this year.”  

Russ was part of the Darts team that pushed Fulham Women to promotion into the League that the Chats compete in and she’ll be able to give her new team-mates an insight on their “new” opponents.

“It was a very tight League last year,” she recalled. “Fulham were a tight knit squad who are very well backed just like the men with all of their facilities. But to go with them we have to utilise everything that we have and go full force.” 

“It was tough and that League as well was ultra-competitive – everyone wanted to win and unfortunately there is only one team that gets promoted.”

“And with not that many games, if you slip up early on and lose a few games as we (Dartford) did before Christmas, we knew our fate for a long time. Hopefully it will be different here this year, and with possibly two teams going up fingers crossed.” 

“The guys here have got the momentum to progress through the Leagues, and they carry it well and hopefully our team can carry that on and push on as they have.” 

The striker has been in Boanas’s sights for some time and very nearly became a Chat twelve months ago as she explained.

“There was interest this time last year, but I had already committed to Dartford and wasn’t going to change my mind after committing.”

“I had a great season at Dartford and really enjoyed it and wanted a bit more of a challenge this year and I am delighted to be here and playing for Keith.”

“I have learned a lot from him already and am looking forward to a lot more. I haven’t played for him before… Everyone knows that he is an absolutely brilliant coach – he has such experience and been so successful too, it’s lovely to be around him. Hopefully I can take snippets from it and use it.” 

“I have played higher with Gillingham Women, so this is almost like “coming home” – it’s a different club entirely now but the fundamentals are still there – the hard work and leaving everything on the pitch.” 

“The girls have said there were games last year where they slipped up and didn’t win some games and so we’re looking to right those wrongs and so hopefully we can go one better and win the League,” the new recruit finished grinning and smiling added, “And maybe one or two of the Cups as well!”