Overjoyed

Overjoyed

The defender was crowned the Island’s top female player for 2019/20 during the Jersey FA’s online presentation evening, beating Jersey Wanderers’ Sam Silva and former winner Ciara Giles, of Rozel Rovers, to the title thanks to a superior number of votes from opposing CI Women’s League clubs.

Overbury, who stood strong for Grouville during a season which featured 11 consecutive defeats in all competitions and an overall goal difference of -74, admitted experiencing a degree of shock at being handed the prestigious accolade. However, the 29-year-old says the recognition will now be put to good use by all of her club colleagues.

‘I was surprised to be nominated and also surprised to end up winning,’ she explained.

‘We did have a tough season. We lost our manager quite early on in the season so we ended up having to run it ourselves. We had an awful lot of new players in and juggling the development of those players while managing the team by ourselves was quite tricky. We didn’t end up winning any games but I don’t think the fact that the season was cut short helped, because I think we were progressing and we were hoping for better results towards the end of the season.’

She added: ‘From a personal point of view it’s really nice to be thought of in that way. I didn’t really expect it but it’s nice to be recognised even when we’re not challenging. It’s quite nice that in the ladies’ game you don’t have to be with the club who wins the league to be recognised by other clubs.

‘When it was announced all the ladies at Grouville were chuffed about it. It’s given everyone quite a big boost for this season.

‘We’ve got a lot of new players in again and those who started last year have got the experience now, so hopefully we’ll be a bit more competitive.’

Grouville will compete for league points alongside newly-formed club Portuguese United in 2020/21 – an addition which Overbury believes could breathe further life into the women’s game.

‘I don’t really know an awful lot about the new Portuguese team but they have managed to get a club together to expand the Jersey league and that is a great thing,’ she said.

‘The fact that there is a new club just shows there are more people interested in the game and from the friendlies we’ve had so far I think everyone is getting more competitive. More teams are on a level playing field and hopefully we’ll have five teams challenging at the top. That would be great.

‘It’s probably a bit ambitious to say we’ll win the league but I’d like us to be up there. And I’d like to think that we can win a cup or two soon.’

– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –