Maxine Greenwood, a long-time servant to Cheltenham Civil Service Football Club and manager of the ladies’ team for the last seven years since taking over in 2019 described the “unforgettable moments” in developing the most successful team in the women’s team history.
Four seasons, two league and cup doubles.
Greenwood and her ladies’ side have enjoyed their most successful period since being founded in the 1990’s.
The double honoured seasons coming in 22/23 and again last season in 25/26, winning the Gloucestershire County Womens League division two and the Gloucestershire Womens Challenge Cup.
Success does not come without bumps in the road however as the ladies’ team were relegated in the 24/25 season.
Greenwood reflected on the season as being a “really unfortunate season with lots of injuries, it just felt like nothing went our way.
” However, being confident that her team would bounce straight back and were “way too good to go down.”
Bounce back they did, and in spectacular fashion.
Civil service went on to complete their second double in four seasons in what Greenwood described as “an incredibly proud moment for the club after such a tough season last year.”
“We were absolutely buzzing to be able to come straight back up to division one.”
Greenwood’s side shows no signs of slowing down continuing their excellent form into the 26/27 season where they find themselves top of the league winning their first 3 games.
“It has been a really good start; we have been clear of any injuries and have a really strong squad.”
An enthusiastic Greenwood highlighted the growing numbers within the squad and the healthy competitiveness that it is bringing – “we have a great group of girls to choose from, all as good as each other. I can’t fault them.”
The table toppers are to move away from league proceedings as they face lower league Cinderford ladies in the GFA – Women’s Trophy.
Manager Greenwood emphasised how important it was that the ladies continued to keep standards high; “I don’t like the ladies getting complacent, we need to treat every game with the same concentration and effort, no matter the opposition.”
And that “discipline and treating every game equally in so important.”
Such a strong start to the season has raised a real belief that the team may be able to compete for a first ladies division one title.
However, Greenwood is reluctant to weigh on too much pressure stressing that “it is on into the season, I don’t like to put too much pressure on the girls, but from my point of view I would be looking for a top half finish.”
Nonetheless is not shying away from the challenge, “last time we were in division one we finished runners up so we know we can definitely compete at that level.”
Maxine Greenwood has already delivered in her 7 years as women’s first team manager but with such a strong start to the 26/27 season and with no signs of slowing down, the chances are Civil Service could be on their way to reaching new heights.
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