Sunderland Ladies are making significant strides towards retaining the team that performed so admirably in 2015, handing Stephanie Bannon and Victoria Williams new contracts at the club.

In their debut top flight season, the Lady Black Cats finished a fantastic fourth and were in the title race for some time too - announcing themselves as the real deal with a 4-0 win over eventual champions Chelsea.

They will hope that incredible season has helped them establish themselves in WSL 1 now, hoping to remain in the division in 2016, despite the strengthening of others teams around them.

Sunderland got by last season off of commitment and togetherness in a team, and so new deals will be applauded by the fans as much as new signings would be.

Two crucial signatures secured

Whilst those around them continue to bring in big names, the Lady Black Cats have prioritised keeping theirs, with captain Bannon signing on for a further year, whilst Williams will be around for another two.

Despite being just 26-years-old, Bannon has captained the team for eight years now and is a crucial part of their club, knowing it in and out after spending so long with them.

A mainstay back in their lower division days, she is a big character and a hugely experienced head in the team too, so manager Carlton Fairweather will be delighted that she is committed to staying on Wearside.

Despite being a relatively new face on Wearside, Williams has already made a significant impact. | Photo: Getty
Despite being a relatively new face on Wearside, Williams has already made a significant impact. | Photo: Getty

Williams, on the other hand, is a much newer face having arrived last year from Doncaster Belles - who are making some big movements themselves in the current window following their own promotion.

However, she has made a great impact in her time so far and was a regular in the team that defied all expectations in 2015.

Players delighted with deals

Speaking to Sunderland Ladies' official FAWSL site, both players expressed their gratitude and delight at being able to extend their stays with the club.

Captain Bannon described herself as being "over the moon" with her new deal, saying that it has been "an honour" to be the team's captain for eight years and that she "cannot wait" to don the armband for a further 12 months.

Williams, on the other hand, was "delighted," saying that putting pen to paper was "an easy decision to make" given the "commitment" of those around her at the club to always "strive for better."

Sunderland will be looking to do exactly this in 2016 too, hoping to avoid any symptoms of a second season slump.

Both players are already focused on ensuring this does not happen too, despite having only just returned to training and with another two months to go until it all kicks off again.

"It is important that we do not dwell on past successes," Bannon said, with the team instead hoping to improve on 2015, whilst Williams said she is looking for the team to "build on" what they achieved last season.

The new campaign will feel all that closer later this month too, with the fixtures for 2016 to be unveiled on January 27.

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About the author
Ameé Ruszkai
Head of the Sunderland, Swansea City and women football sections at VAVEL UK. Email: [email protected]