It was a summer of new signings for Norwich City Women as they welcomed on board seven new additions for the 2022/23 season.
After a roller-coaster 2021/22 season, finishing in eighth place, two points above the drop zone, City look to strengthen the side for the new challenge in the FAWNL South East Division One.
Alice Parker makes her return to the Canaries side after a season-long spell at Wroxham FC. The 20-year-old defender will once again sport her number four shirt. Having previously progressed through our player pathway, Parker will certainly be a familiar face for many at the Nest this season.
Box-to-box midfielder Rebecca Russell is second on the list of the summer signings, who joins us from newly promoted Wymondham Town. The champion’s trophy wasn’t the only silver wear Russell claimed at her previous club, as she also finished her time with Town as player of the season during the 2021/22 campaign. The 21-year-old will claim the number 11 shirt for the season.
Another familiar face who joins the side this season is goalkeeper Hope Armstrong. The 20-year-old re-joins the side after a spell away from Wroxham alongside Alice Parker. Armstrong will be given the number 13 shirt.
Naomi Cooper, 27, also joins us from The Yachtsmen. The defender has also previously progressed through our player pathway system. Cooper will don the number 15 shirt.
Katie Knights, 23, signs for the club from Wymondham Town, champions of the Eastern Region Women's Football League Premier Division last season. The combative central midfielder is another participant of Norwich’s player pathway system.
One other exciting prospect joining the Canaries this season is forward Olivia Cook from Waveney. The 17-year-old plays with versatility, as she can play anywhere across the front line. Cook will be wearing the number 23 shirt for this season.
The final new signing of the season is number 24 Ceri Flye. At 19 years old, she was a regular feature in fellow South East Division One side Cambridge City. Flye will play in defence for the Canaries this season.
Norwich City Women head coach Shaun Howes spoke to canaries.co.uk about the new signings and how he feels now ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. He said: “I have been really pleased with the recruitment we have made to the squad over the summer, so along with the players we have retained from last season, I feel we now have a depth of talent in the squad that we didn’t have last season.
He continued: “Many of the players that have signed had previous experience of playing for the club and have decided to return after seeing the progression we have made as a club and the potential we have to really push on.
“I am really excited by the squad, who have all worked really hard this preseason and I look forward to seeing them all continue to grow as a squad and starting what will hopefully be a successful season.”
We look forward to welcoming as many fans as possible to The Nest to support the team in their efforts towards promotion. Keep a close eye on official club channels for ticketing information which will be released shortly.