C&K BASILDON Ladies are getting into the groove ahead of the new season, as they aim for yet another campaign to remember after 11 years of success.

Just over 10 years ago, the club started at level 7 in the Essex County Women’s League but they are now plying their trade as a step 2 club in the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division.

In their first season at the level last year, C&K finished seventh, having primarily aimed for survival, and also retained the Essex County Cup.

But manager, and former Southend United player and boss, Steve Tilson and his assistant Danny Greaves have now set their sights on a top half finish, despite being in the same division as powerhouses Tottenham, West Ham, QPR, Charlton and Portsmouth among others.

“We want to press on next season and improve our league position with a top half finish, as well as again retaining the County Cup,” said Tilson. “The ladies were magnificent last season and trained so well in our pre-season trip to Malta in what where testing weather conditions.

“We have attracted some great players and are re-introducing a reserve/development side that will play in the FA Women’s Premier League South East development division against the likes of Spurs, West Ham, Charlton, QPR, Crystal Palace and Portsmouth.”

C&K Basildon, who play their games at Canvey’s Frost Financial Stadium, welcome Portsmouth in their season curtain-raiser, on Sunday, August 21 before a trip to Charlton the following week. The reserves begin their season at Basildon Sport & Leisure Club on September 11.

And managing director Peter King has backed the team to again show they are more than a match for those teams come the new season, with senior players more involved than ever before.

“Last season was an excellent one, although it was the first time in nine years that we had not been challenging for a league title,” said King. “The girls were magnificent, excelling in matches against top class opposition on a weekly basis.

“We are a very friendly club and we have top quality managers and coaches in Steve Tilson, Danny Greaves and Lee Harrison. Four ‘A’ and one Pro licenses between them shows how committed the club is to looking after their players.

“We have asked the leading players in the club to suggest a revised structure for next season which includes mentoring the younger players, more social gatherings, team bonding and incentives for all.

“We are not as ‘sexy’ a club as some of the league brand names and therefore miss out on some players. We say to the great female players of Essex and the borders come and support your County club, for one day we will sit with the elite in the Women’s Super League.”

Anyone interested in playing or assisting Essex’s premier ladies football club should contact Peter King on pking0910@gmail.com