WESTFIELDS Women have been promoted to the West Midlands Regional Women’s Football League in their first season in existence.

They received the confirmation last week after winning the shortened Midwest Counties Female League.

Manager Ben Archer expressed his delight at the promotion, believing it could be the beginning of a new era for women’s football in the local area.

“I’m absolutely delighted with the promotion – it’s something the girls and I have aimed towards for a long time," he said.

“With the shortened league system, alongside the pandemic and lockdowns, it’s been a difficult season. Despite the fact we only played six games, I feel we fully deserve it.

“The girls were really excited when we broke the news – the application started in March-April, and they were constantly asking for news and messages. When I could finally tell them, they were delighted.”

It is new ground for Herefordshire Women’s football, with Westfields now the highest ranked club in the county.

Archer thinks that having a women's team in Herefordshire playing at step-six of the women's pyramid could help the growth of the game within the county, playing new opposition and expanding their horizons to new additions.

“We’ve shown our ability this year," he added.

"We played our first ever Women’s FA Cup campaign against teams in higher leagues – Leamington Spa, who we beat, and Worcester City, who we narrowly lost to.

“We’re now the only team locally at this level. It would be great to promote the Westfields brand and the entire game of Women’s football here.

“You can visit our stunning clubhouse, bar and ground when we play – in those FA Cup games we had around 160 people watch us, so it would be great to have more next season.

“Hopefully it can put Herefordshire on the map when it comes to football at this level.”

Going into the new campaign, Westfields have a difficult task ahead.

With recruitment required both on and off the field to keep up with the new league’s challenges.

Although this will provide a hurdle, Archer believes his Fields team’s technicality will be enough for them to remain competitive.

“One player is off to the USA with a scholarship in university, whilst a few others are leaving because of work commitments. But I am still optimistic," Archer added.

“The girls play a really exciting, technical style, and I’m hoping we’ll have a good season.

"We have got a strong, young, fit group of girls here, and I would love to think we can sit comfortably in the league.

“A top half finish and more progression would be brilliant.”