C&K Basildon Ladies captain Zoe Rushen says leading the team out in Women’s Super League 2 would be her biggest ever achievement.

Chairman Peter King has confirmed that the club are set to apply for a place in the WSL2 after showing impressive progress.

And if the application is successful, C&K Basildon would move into the second highest tier of women’s football.

WSL2 currently boasts sides including Aston Villa Ladies, Brighton & Hove Albion, Millwall Lionesses, Tottenham Hotspur Ladies and Watford Ladies.

Rushen is excited by the prospect of playing in the division and is grateful for King’s ambition.

The club captain said: “It feels very exciting for all of the players to know the club have applied for WSL2.

“It’s something that we are all in favour of and we would feel proud to achieve something that big as a team.

“We all feel extremely grateful to play for such an incredible team that has a fantastic structure, along with a close family feel to it.

“For me personally, to ever get the chance to lead the team out in the WSL2 would be my biggest achievement as a player and I would feel privileged to do it with this set of players.”

Rushen has been a key member of the side that is currently third in the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division standings.

The midfielder has scored a number of vital goals as the first team has enjoyed a record-breaking season.

Having been set a target of finishing in the top six by boss Steve Tilson at the start of the campaign, C&K Basildon have already beaten their points tally from last term.

And the first team will be looking to kick-on in the second half of the campaign.

A victory over FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division table-toppers Charlton Athletic has already been achieved, while Tilson’s charges also notched a memorable 7-3 win over West Ham Ladies in the first half of the season.

Valuable contributions from summer signings and continued good form from already regular members of the squad means that the club will go into 2018 on a high.

But having also expanded C&K Basildon from two sides to seven teams over the course of the past 12 months, the club has a bright future.

And Rushen believes there are exciting times ahead for the club, who play their home fixtures at Canvey Island’s Frost Hire Stadium.

Rushen added: “The progress being made by individual players and as a club is huge.

“There’s a lot of young talent coming through and I could not be more pleased to see everyone around me reaching their full potential and showing the league what they are capable of.

“It’s exciting times and hopefully we can reach the next level by continuing our success so far.”