Farewell Caz! Departure is end of era for women's football in Chichester

The Chichester and Selsey Ladies (formerly Chichester City Ladies) director and secretary has left her roles after 13 years at the club.

It’s been a long journey – and a lively one too.

In her first year she was the first team’s goalkeeper, being coached by Matt Wright, and at the end of the season Wright took over as first team manager and asked her to join the coaching staff. She did – and the rest is history.

Caz immediately became the secretary and performed that role behind the scenes while at the same time serving as player-manager of the ladies’ reserve side.

The years progressed and so did gaining volunteers at the club including her assistant Rhys Griffiths and Malcolm Ellis, two people who worked with Caz closely for many years with the reserves.

Chichester City Ladies became their own company and Caz was appointed director.

The senior teams were progressing well within the women’s football pyramid and the club’s youth section was launched in 2012.

Several youth girls’ teams were created and Caz also became the youth secretary.

After Matt Wright left the club, she became the chair in his place.

Caz has had roles at the club including kit person and pitch line-painter – and has even dressed as the club mascot, a big blue falcon, and Santa for different football events to help raise money for the club.

Running football tournaments to bring in money for the club has also been part of her role and she has turned her hand to anything to ensure the club has had what it needed and the teams could continue to play the game they love.

After Caz stepped down as manager of the reserves she ended up becoming the coach of the under-tens and has continued to work with the team, who are now the under-16s.

A couple of years ago brought the toughest time for the club when financially they were struggling and a move to Selsey FC was needed.

Selsey have embraced the ladies’ team and they say they are now in a better place as Chichester and Selsey Ladies.

Caz has been involved in many special moments that the club has experienced over the years and she has listed her top 10 moments: