The 2024/25 Genero Adran Premier season is upon us, with plenty of narrative at both ends of the table.
Champions Cardiff City will be looking to do something which was last achieved by their rivals Swansea City, which is to win the title for a third successive year.
While the Bluebirds didn’t go unbeaten in 2023/24 like they did the season before, what they did instead was do something that they’ve been chasing for many a year, which was to win the illusive treble.
However, plenty of experience has departed over the summer. Long-serving captain Siobhan Walsh has retired, while Genero Adran Premier Player of the Year Seren Watkins, along with Bute Energy Welsh Cup final goalscorer Rhianne Oakley, have joined West Bromwich Albion. Youngsters like Fiona Barry and Lily Billingham have come in and try to fill that void.
Swansea City have now gone without a trophy for two seasons in a row but have now made some eye-catching moves over the summer to try and catch their South Wales rivals.
The Swans are under new management again, and this time it’s Jamie Sherwood who takes over. Once upon a time, Sherwood got Yeovil Town promoted to the WSL, a clear sign of the quality he brings to this team.
Players such as Aimee Deacon, Danielle Broadhurst, and former Wales international Nia Jones have come into the team, which looks like a real competitor heading into their first game of the season.
Wrexham certainly made their mark in their first Genero Adran Premier season as they finished third and reached the Bute Energy Welsh Cup final.
Some squad players have left the STōK Cae Ras, including Charlotte Boland and Natasha Spearing, who have stepped down to the Genero Adran North, but apart from them, the core of last season’s squad have stayed together.
Only three new names have, so far, been announced by Wrexham. Striker Abbie Iddenden, goalkeeper Lizzie Craven, and midfielder Nat Clark will provide competition for those already there, as the Red Dragons look to compete at the top end of the table once again.
The final top four spot last season went to Aberystwyth Town, who reached the Championship phase for the second time in three seasons.
The Seasiders went through a lot of managers during the last campaign, and they’ve got another leader at the helm for this year, with Chris Church coming over from Swansea City.
However, a lot of talent has departed Park Avenue. Playmaker Niamh Duggan, along with the energetic Gwenllian Jones have headed south to Cardiff Met, while veteran Kelly Thomas has retired. Chelsea Herbert’s addition will strengthen the goalkeeping department, while defender Hannah Davies will be looking for regular minutes.
After winning the Plate in April, The New Saints are set to embark on a new era.
This will be the club’s first under a semi-professional model, and they’ve made big changes as a result. Shauna Duffy has replaced Greg Draper in the dugout, and in her first couple of months in charge, she’s managed to bring in plenty of players.
Eleven new players have headed to Park Hall for the season, including Poppy Kendrick-Jones from Everton, Sophie Phillips from Birmingham City, and most notably, Wales international Maria Francis-Jones from Burnley. All of them will be hoping to get the Saints back into the top four.
Before a ball has been kicked, there has been plenty of activity down at Cardiff Met.
Last month, Daniel Delahay stepped down as manager, with Chris Baker stepping into the role on an interim basis.
Baker inherits an incredibly young squad, after many of Met’s more experienced players departed over the summer to rival Genero Adran Premier clubs. However, he still has Esme Kilburn-Thompson at his disposal, and along with Niamh Duggan, Gwenllian Jones, and India Shanahan, will be hoping Met’s youth movement can propel them up the table.
A side who has been incredibly active in the transfer window are Barry Town United.
A staggering eleven players have come through the doors at Jenner Park, including four from recently relegated Pontypridd United, two from Cardiff Met, two from Gwalia United, and Genero Adran South Young Player of the Year, Keira Harris.
The Linnets now have a big squad at their disposal, with competition strong in every position on the pitch. There are a lot of top four hopes down on the south coast, and it will be down to Stevie McCarthy-Campbell and his team to make those dreams a reality.
Finally, and a finally in many ways, Briton Ferry make up the eight team league this season.
After a couple of near misses, Ferry were promoted to the topflight in fine style, winning all twelve of their games in the Adran South, before dismantling Llandudno 4-0 at Latham Park to gain promotion.
Much of this side is the same from last season, with a couple of new faces. Aimee Heath comes over from Carmarthen Town, the experienced Tija Richardson joins from champions Cardiff City, while there is plenty of excitement around Maia Owen, who arrives at Old Road from the FAW Girls’ Academy.
