As U12s they romped the Surrey County Women & Girls League Division 2, winning all 20 games and racking up 135 goals; promotion was inevitable, and with the league structure reshuffled this summer, a double elevation to the top division is hardly a controversial decision.
As U13s, then, the team will face a tall order. In an expanded eight-team division they will face last season's entire top flight – from top to bottom, AFC Wimbledon, Croydon, Crystal Palace, Abbey Rangers, Colne Valley and South Park – plus Fleet Town, who won the Division 1 title with 16 wins out of 18. After last season's walkovers in the park, Teddington are suddenly in the big league.
First up, with pleasing circularity and alphabeticularity, is Abbey Rangers: site of Teddington's first-ever game 53 weeks ago… a 9-0 victory (click for match report). That was also the debut game for the hosts' second team, but this time the visitors face Abbey's well-established first team, who finished fourth in last term's top flight. It will prove a tough task.
Teddington have a few absentees: Sophie Wallman is away, Ella Parkinson-Mearns and Sadie Day are ill and Amy Hallett has a foot problem. Ruby Rudkin is also a doubt with a bad blister, although she has been invited along if she feels up to it to make up the 12-strong matchday squad, in line with the usual desire to have three subs.
In the long-term absence of goalkeeper Margaret Thomas with a broken wrist, Ella V will don the gloves; manager Dave W is actively seeking a replacement, with a couple of targets in mind who also enjoy playing outfield, giving further options when Margaret returns in the new year.
The squad has already been boosted by the addition of Ella Dodd, Anna Kauffmann and Carla Novakovic, who will all be in action at Abbey, along with Saskia Brewster, Millie Theobald, Millie MacEacharn, Emily Coulson, Phoebe Head, Ale Fairn and Sinead Morris – the latter forgiven her absence at Friday's training session after her mum took the blame for not reminding her.
It's the sort of concentration lapse Teddington will need to beware in a new season which will surely teach them some lessons, but will hopefully provide a continuation of the fun, footballing ethos Teddington epitomised last season.
SQUAD: Ella V, Millie Theobald, Saskia Brewster, Millie MacEacharn, Ella Dodd, Anna Kauffman, Carla Novakovic, Ruby Rudkin*, Emily Coulson, Phoebe Head, Sinead Morris, Ale Fairn (*if fit)
DIRECTIONS: Abbey Rangers are at Addlestone Moor, Surrey KT15 2QH. From Teddington High Street it's about 25 minutes via M3/M25 (south) or slightly longer through Hampton and Shepperton on the B375. The ground is signposted ("Abbey Rangers") on a minor road off the big roundabout where the A317 meets the A318. Please arrive (with girls in home shirts) at Pitch 4 by 9.20am for full warm-up for 10am kick-off. (Map below should be zoomable, etc)
(If the above map doesn't work, see https://goo.gl/maps/2ykZi)
PARKING: Spaces at the clubhouse soon disappear; there is limited street parking but beware fire engines, irate locals, etc. The club suggest alternative parking at the Runnymede Centre, which is signposted from the big roundabout outside the ground: park at the back of the Runnymede and you will see the pitches in front of you.
No dogs allowed on the grounds. Food is available, if slightly pricey (£3 a burger, from memory).
Please note that while all parents are always welcome, we also encourage car-sharing if you have other things to do (or other children to ferry around). On this occasion, Anna Kauffmann's dad Jan has offered a lift for up to five other people, starting at Radnor Road in Twickenham: please see his email for details.
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