Football: Island women to face Sheffield United

The 2015 Games gold medallists will face United’s ladies at the 32,000-seater stadium – the oldest in the world still hosting professional association matches – in a friendly on Sunday 23 April.

JFA vice-president Iain McKenzie visited the ground last month to finalise arrangements with Lee Walshaw, the club’s general manager for women’s football.

Two further matches are in the pipeline before Gotland 2017 – one potentially taking the place of the Muratti, which was officially cancelled by the GFA on Wednesday night.

‘It will be an amazing experience to play at a stadium steeped in history,’ said Jersey Women’s manager Simon Petulla.

‘The girls don’t realise how lucky they are to have this chance, and it will be great preparation in our quest to defend our gold medal in Gotland.’

The Blades, who play in the fourth tier of women’s football in England, sit just three points behind East Midlands Regional League Premier Division leaders Mansfield.

Walshaw said: ‘Our chairman has a stance where he wants to develop ladies’ football, and we’re one of only 30 clubs in England with an FA licence to run a Regional Training Centre – we really are pushing ladies football. We’re three promotions away from the Women’s Superleague, which is the aim. It’s a long way, but it’s achievable and the whole club is buying into that.’

Full story in Thursday’s JEP.

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