Cardiff City secured the Genero Adran Premier title for the third season as a row with a 3-1 win over The New Saints on Sunday.
While the Bluebirds went unbeaten in the league in 2022/23 before winning the treble last season, this may be their most satisfying title yet given the players they lost last summer and the challenges they have faced across the campaign.
Key names Siobhan Walsh, Seren Watkins and Rhianne Oakley all departed the capital for pastures new and Iain Darbyshire’s task of reinvigorating his squad was not an easy one.
Cardiff were beaten by Swansea City in an early season derby, while defeat to Briton Ferry Llansawel just after Christmas saw the Bluebirds end 2024 in the unusual position of chasing top spot behind league leaders The New Saints.
But since the turn of the year, Darbyshire’s team have firmly clicked into gear – winning seven of their last eight league games to establish themselves at the summit of the table once again.
Shannon Evans’ return to the club has proved a superb piece of business, with the former striker now a formidable centre-back alongside Megan Bowen and fellow summer arrival Nieve Jenkins. Meanwhile, the signings of Fiona Barry and Laura Curnock have ensured that the Bluebirds remain a threat in attack and the pair have 11 league goals between them.
But it is one of the old guard who has shone the most. Full-back and Bluebird born and bred Ffion Price has 12 league goals to her name and plenty more assists on top, with every set-piece a danergous situation with the 27-year-old standing over the ball.
Having clinched the title, Cardiff will lift the trophy after their final game of the campaign against Briton Ferry Llansawel at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday 13 April.
“I’ve got an immense sense of pride,” Iain Darbyshire said. “This season has been difficult, there has been a lot of change and a lot of players moved on in the summer.
“We set ourselves the challenge of maintaining our title but we knew it was going to be difficult and that there would be bumps in the road. I’m just so proud of the players, taking on all the information. We found a way to win and that’s what champions do.
“It’s been great to have other teams push us. TNS pushed us for large parts of the season, Briton Ferry have been right up there and Wrexham have come on strong. It’s good to have competitors because it makes us get better.”
Bute Energy Welsh Cup final
“I’m absolutely ecstatic, so delighted,” midfielder Kerry Walklett added. “To get it over the line with two games remaining, I’m just blown away. The girls have been fantastic all season. We’ve really had to grind this out, so I’m over the moon.
“It’s been a total re-build. If you look at the starting eleven this time last year and the starting eleven today, there’s some totally new faces – some people who hadn’t even played in Wales before.
“It’s been a case of sticking to our principles, sticking to our character and always dying for the badge. Even when things haven’t quite gone our way, we’ve stuck together and ground out results.”
