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Women’s Catch Up: Dean Vian
As the Cheshire Women’s League Division One nears its conclusion, Chester FC Women’s sit atop the table.
We caught up with Manager Dean Vian on all things Chester FC Women’s related…
- Dean on…the season so far:
“We are having a successful season in the Cheshire Women’s League Division One and sit top of the table knowing if we win our remaining league games we can secure the title. If we can do this and I have every confidence we can it will be a massive achievement for the squad.
“We had a very busy and organised pre-season where the squad put in lots of hard work working on their fitness and the tactical side of the game where we introduced to them a new team shape and formation. We played most of our friendlies against higher league opposition and the squad did well and this set us up well for the season ahead.”
- Dean on…the fast rise of the Women’s team:
“What some people might not be aware of is we are in only our 2nd full season as a club and to be where we are is incredible really. We started (before my arrival as Assistant Manager) with a small squad of players and had some difficult fixtures to start that first season and had some poor results but we picked up as the season went along and finished a respectable 4th place.
“With Richard Smith stepping down I was delighted to be offered the role as Manager in May 2016 and accepted the role with great pride. I brought in Adam Smith who I have worked with successfully before as Assistant Manager and retained Richard Goodier as Goalkeeping Coach. The enthusiasm Adam brings to the role is refreshing and the work he has done personally with the players has been fantastic. The goalkeepers we have had at the club and those we have brought in since have come on leaps and bounds and this is testament to the hours Richard has put in with them week after week.”
- Dean on…preparations off the field:
With the help of the club, Community Trust and our sponsors MBNA we are able to offer any players who want to join us some great benefits. Players do not have to pay any subs, all training kit is provided and we have the use of top training facilities twice a week as well as a gym and leisure centre with our link up with the Mollington Banastre Hotel & Spa.
“These factors have helped me sell our club to potential recruits who can see the fantastic potential we have and the vision I have for the future. I have successfully managed to sign players who have played higher up the women’s football pyramid who have bought into to want we want to achieve.”
- Dean on…the future of the Women’s team:
“We are expanding the Women’s department at the club and this season have started an Under 18’s Youth Team who continue to go from strength to strength. We have some fantastic women’s talent in Chester and surrounding areas and, with this new set up, we are able to attract them to our club rather than they go elsewhere. I am already reaping the benefits as one of the Youth Team players has already appeared in the First Team this season.
“With the Chester FC Advanced Girls Player Development Centre all starting late last year it gives the club the opportunity to work with some of the best young talent all age groups who will hopefully stay at the club for years to come and eventually go on to play for Chester FC Women’s First Team.”
Finally, it’s a big congratulation to Dean who has obtained his UEFA B Licence Qualifications – a tremendous achievement for both him and Chester FC Women’s.
He said: “I applied in early 2016 and was successfully accepted onto a UEFA B Licence course with the English FA down in London. It was a long course running over a period of ten months and involved lots of travelling and time away from home. However the benefits were worth the sacrifices, I got to work with and tap into the experience of some top tutors and fellow coaches and I learned an enormous amount and the experience will be one that will stay with me throughout my coaching journey.
“I managed to pass the course and obtain my licence this year and can only thank the Community Trust for all their support and my players for getting onboard and always working hard during training sessions.”