Holiday and then back to the hard graft for Crystal Palace Women’s Shanade Hopcroft
BY ANDREW MCSTEEN
After confirming their Championship title and subsequent promotion to the Women’s Super League at the end of last month, Crystal Palace midfielder Shanade Hopcroft is now ready to believe.
The Eagles went into the final game of the season with a lead of three points and a plus-22 goal difference over second-placed Charlton.
And despite their South London rivals winning, it was nowhere near enough and the side from SE25 are now in the top-flight after wrapping up with a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park against Sunderland.
“It just feels so surreal really, I’m so happy,” Hopcroft, 26, told the South London Press. “We finally did it and I’m happy all ‘round’.
“Now we’ve lifted the trophy and it’s actually true. We did want to win, especially for the fans, to put on a show for them and all our friends and family, but at the end of the day, we won the league so now we’re really happy.
“We will start thinking about the WSL straight away. We’ll go on holidays, but then it’s back to work.”
Hopcroft was one of a number of players and staff – including new manager Laura Kaminski and head of women’s football Grace Williams – who joined the club last summer as they prepared for their debut season as a fully-professional unit.
And the hard work behind the scenes has paid off almost immediately.
“The main thing when Grace and Laura came in was the togetherness,” said the former London City Lionesses and Chelsea academy player, who also played in the USA.
“That’s what’s carried us through – staying positive, being together, sticking with each other and always playing together. On and off the field, that was the main thing, them coming in, they brought that with them as well.
“It’s been a good season. I’ve had fun with my football and this team, I love playing for and with this team because we just play for each other.
“It doesn’t matter who scores, we all want everyone to do well and it shows. I just love every one of them.”
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD
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