Pre-season saw Natasha Napier lace up her boots and take to a playing field for the first time in over two years.
Two years on the sidelines is a long time in support, watching your team-mates having all the fun, winning matches, lifting trophies; it’s even more frustrating when you could have been back the sooner.
That’s the scenario which befell Bishop Auckland Ladies striker, Natasha Napier when two years ago in a cup match, Napier, now 24, suffered a torn ACL, although at the time it wasn’t noticed at all, hampering her recovery process.
“When I tore my ACL the physio at the time didn’t initially pull anything up but, having gone and received a second opinion four months later, it show that it was hanging by a thread,” explained Natasha of her injury.
“I had the operation, eventually, last summer, and got back into things in January this year with Ami-Leigh Smith (Bishop Auckland FC’s osteopath) working with me; she’s been amazing, in fact I can honestly say she’s done more for me than the hospital.”
One of five original players when the Two Blues Ladies began back in 2013, Napier has moved a little further up the field having started out as a central midfielder, finishing more than creating which, alongside fellow striker Sophie Wood (who scored twice in the final pre-season friendly with Workington) gives manager Barry Procter a rather potent front two.
(Action shots of Natasha Napier during the pre-season fixture against Alnwick Town Ladies)
Procter’s arrival already leaving a lasting impression on not only Napier but the other players and staff at the club led to the striker adding: “He (Barry Procter) is brilliant.
“He’s very encouraging and is always checking to see how I’m holding (since returning from injury) and it’s because of his presence I feel, we all feel, that we’re going to do really well this season.
“I definitely want to be starting every game and would love a good run in the cups, maybe get a team from a few divisions higher, even just to see our own levels.
“I’m also going for the golden boot, although Sophie (Wood) may have something to say about that one,” giggles Natasha, “after all, my name was on it before the injury.”
Since re-lacing her football boots, and pulling back on that Two Blues jersey over the summer, quite tentatively she adds, Natasha has already found herself among the goals, but there’s still been some wariness on her behalf.
“I was so scared when I got back out there,” claims Natasha.
“Training-wise I was fine, there was no pressure on me there, but to be playing again, that was nerve-wracking but I’m glad to be back amongst it all and looking forward to the new season.”
Natasha was speaking exclusively to bishopafc.com ahead of the Ladies FA Cup match with Penrith Ladies.
OPENING FIXTURES
BISHOP AUCKLAND LADIES (subject to change)
Sept 1 Penrith Ladies (A) Women’s FA Cup Preliminary Round; Sept 15 Chester-le-Street Amazon Women (A) DCFA League 1; Sept 22 Hartlepool United Ladies (H) DCFA League 1
Oct 6 Darlington Spraire Ladies (A) DCFA League 1; Oct 13 Consett Belles (A) DCFA League 1; Oct 30 Gateshead Leam Rangers Ladies (H) DCFA League 1; Oct 27 South Shields Ladies Reserves (A) DCFA League Cup Quarter-Final
BISHOP AUCKLAND DEVELOPMENT (subject to change)
Sept 1 Silksworth CW Ladies (A) Development Division; Sept 5 Spennymoor Town Ladies (H) Development Division; Sept 8 Newton Aycliffe Ladies (H) Development Division; Sept 15 Stockton Town Ladies (H) Development Division; Sept 22 Chester-le-Street Women’s Amazines (A) Development Division; Sept 29 Washington AFC Development Ladies (H) Development Division
Oct 6 Craghead Ladies (H) Development Division; Oct 13 Lumley Ladies Development (H) Development Division; Oct 20 Chester-le-Street Waldridge Park (A) Development Division; Oct 27 Spennymoor Town Ladies (A) Development Division Cup Quarter-Final