Leeds United Women make their much-anticipated return to Elland Road this weekend, as they face York City Ladies on Sunday afternoon.
With five wins on the bounce to their name in the FA WNL Division One North under manager Simon Wood, the high-flying Whites currently sit just one point adrift of table-topping Middlesbrough.
Ahead of the clash, the United boss explained what playing at the stadium will mean to his squad, and for the wider development of the women’s game in the city.
“The players are really excited,” Wood initially said. “It is not just playing at Elland Road, it is playing at one of the most iconic stadiums in British football.
“The loyal fan base that we have who go watch at Garforth when we play every week at home is amazing and seeing those supporters is great. Hopefully we can attract a few more to come down and see what we are about.
“What the stadium does is it gives us a setting to show to the masses of Leeds United supporters how the Women’s team are representing the badge, how they are representing the club and it gives the players a platform to showcase their ability and what they are about.
“It is exciting for us and we are delighted with the uptake of tickets because we are hoping as many people that can get down come down and support us do.
“It can only have a positive effect on football in Leeds, in terms of us trying to empower and be good role models around the female game. Hopefully it can inspire other females to play the game and take up the sport. That helps us in the future as a football club.”
York had struggled for form at the beginning of the season but look to have turned a corner with an impressive 4-3 victory over Stockport County last weekend.
Wood is aware of the threats the opposition pose, though the boss is confident his players will be able to handle the occasion and let their quality shine through.
“I think the occasion as well raises York’s performance levels and we can see that from them winning 4-3 against the Stockport side that were above them in the league. This league is hard and every game you go into you have got to be on it.
“I think whilst York will raise their game playing at Elland Road, our players will also raise their game playing at Elland Road. We have looked at what they are about as a team. We have looked at where their threats are and we have talked to the players around it.
“It will be like every other game; we will go into it confident that we can get a result but also with the awareness around what it takes to get a result.”
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