Northeast: We must build on what we have achieved

Gemma Hillier in action for Pompey Ladies against Southampton. Picture: Mick Young

In 2015 they were crowned champions but this year they have fallen just short of that, with Brighton instead in position to win the title tomorrow.

However, the progress the Blues have made in consistently challenging at the top of the league is something Northeast does not want to see go to waste.

He wants to ensure the good work put in by the staff, the players, and their loyal fans is built on in the coming years.

The club must ensure they can rebound positively from the disappointment of not being able to match Brighton this season.

There is also the threat of growing interest in the ladies’ side of the game from Southampton and Bournemouth looming on the horizon.

Southampton men’s club are looking to really push the ladies’ section with an eye on securing FA Super League football in future.

Pompey have a big head start on them with the fine work Northeast and his coaching staff have done with the first team.

And development squad coaches Ben Pinnington, Cameron Morrison and Kaylee Schumann-Edwards oversaw a 15-match unbeaten run and a cup victory recently.

Northeast said: ‘One key step is to ensure we keep our coaches.

‘Ben Pinnington, Cameron Morrison and Kayleigh Schumann-Edwards have done a wonderful job.

‘The amount the players have learned in seven months is fantastic.

‘Ben and Cameron are great young coaches.

‘Kaylee is a former player with years of experience in the game and we need to make sure we keep these people at the club.

‘We have to give them the right level of support.’

With Brighton looking to wrap up the title and then reach the super league, Northeast does not want to see the Blues overtaken by other rival clubs in the coming seasons.

He added: ‘Our local neighbours, Southampton and Bournemouth, will have seen what we have done and seen it is possible to create a good side on a limited infrastructure.

‘For us, we have learned more this season, being in the title race again and not winning it, than we did last season when we won it.’