End of an Era
In light of what today stood for, for me personally,
I have a couple of things I would like to say and now feels like the right
time.
Sitting here writing this now I wouldn't be lying if I
said I never thought this day would come because I honestly didn’t. For the
past 10 years, every life decision, every study opportunity, every career move,
and every choice has in some way, shape or form been underpinned, influenced
and determined by my core commitment: that to Bristol City WFC as a football
club. I had for much of that time, never looked beyond Bristol, never strived
to play elsewhere, never needed too as it had allowed me to compete at the top
level of football against some of the best players in the world. But as I sit
here writing this, I can say that time has come and this chapter of my life is
about to close for a different reason.
Bristol, the team in its various names and forms has
provided me with enough memories to last a lifetime. From the early days of
playing at the Memorial Stadium in the blue and white squares of Bristol
Rovers, to merging into an independent team, Bristol Academy under the Bristol
Academy of Sport banner at SGS College, to more recently becoming part of the
Bristol Sport Family as Bristol City WFC, the words Bristol have always been
not far from my lips. As a 16 year old, living in Gloucester the decision to
travel every day to Bristol to study and train, with 5:30am starts and a daily rush to the train
station was without one of the best decisions of my life. It opened a new door
that has allowed me to develop, evolve and grow into the player and more
importantly the person I am today.
The Filton College Class of 2008 was a dream team,
double National Champions, undefeated on many occasions and some of the best
years of my life. This became my pathway into the senior team where I have
remained ever since. Bristol you have given me opportunities many others only
dream of. FA Cup Finals, Champions League games against the likes of Barcelona
and FFC Frankfurt, and FA WSL 1 title challenges coming down to the last day.
You have given me the opportunity to share the pitch with some of the best players around.
One of my biggest honours was being made Captain of
this great Club. It has and will always be more than a club to me; it will be a
family, one I have chosen for myself. Our training ground and WISE Campus has
become a second home, and the Stoke Gifford Stadium a fortress of memories.
Bristol has been a journey that has sat at the core of me for a huge period of
my life, and along the way I have met, trained and worked with some of the most
incredible people. Coaches, fans, staff and above all teammates who are now
friends and an extended family. Bristol you allowed me to chase the love of my
game, and follow my dreams.
This may be the end of an era, and it may seem like
a goodbye but it is a see you soon. Thank you to the all at the Club, past and
present that have in some way shape or form contributed towards my journey so
far. You have helped a young girl with a massive love of the game reach far
greater things than she ever imagined possible at a place she now calls home.
The time has come to close the door on one chapter
as I open the door for the next. There may be tears, if there haven’t been
enough already, but there’s a huge sense of gratitude to a place that has given
me so much. Thank you to everyone that has been part of my Bristol journey over
the past 10 years. Thank you to the coaches, to those who saw potential in me
as a 16 year old and signed me. To those who have invested hours, days, weeks
and months into helping me become a better player. Thank you to the fans, who
travel far and wide to support Bristol, the Smurf Army will forever be a
highlight of our FA Cup Final appearances. Thank you to the Club for your drive
in wanting to make Bristol the best place it can be. Above all, and it goes
without saying, thank you to my teammates, new and old. Thank you for
challenging me, for pushing me, for helping me become the player I am today. In
you I have found friends for life, and even when you take football away you
still remain.
Finally, I write this knowing Bristol City WFC have
returned to what I believe is their rightful place as a Women’s Super League 1
Club. I couldn’t have wished to have closed this chapter knowing Bristol are in
the best place possible and I hope I have played a part in that.
It’s not all been easy, there have been highs and
lows but I say goodbye with a thankful heart and an ever stronger love for the
beautiful game.
Once a Vixen, always a Vixen.
Much Love,
Grace
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| Bristol City Women's Football Club 2016 |
