BRISTOL City Ladies are gearing up for their new season which kicks off next week with a derby against West Country rivals Yeovil Town.

The match takes place at Stoke Gifford Stadium on Wednesday (kick off 7pm), with another home match three days later against Sheffield Ladies (6pm) before an away clash on April 24 at London Bees and a final home clash on April 28 with Aston Villa Ladies.

Willie Kirk, Bristol City Womens FC First Team Manager, said: “Following relegation and our change of name, the club has adopted a five year plan and although there is a lot more involved in it than just what happens on the pitch, the players and technical staff are very much focused on getting back to WSL1 as soon as possible. We don’t just want to win promotion, but we want to do it by winning the league.

"I feel that we have built a squad capable of doing this, although we are well aware of how difficult it will be in what looks like a very competitive WSL2. "With the amount of young players that we have in the squad and the fact that 60% of the squad are new signings, there will without doubt be a certain level of inconsistency to our performances and it may not be until the second half of the season that we see the level of performance that we want. What we do have from the outset though, is a hunger for success, a strong togetherness and some very exciting players, and we can’t wait now for the league season to start."

FA director of football participation and development Kelly Simmons said: “This is a pivotal year for The FA WSL as we look to build on the great momentum, awareness and attendances that the league generated in 2015.

“A strong FA WSL will really lay the foundations for success elsewhere in the women’s game – from a winning England team to inspiring more girls and women to take up playing football at any level.”