By Scott McPike
In the inaugural season of SWF League One last year, we saw 12 sides participate in what was a very exciting campaign. This season which’s kicks off on Sunday, 11 teams look to make an impact in what will be a very competitive season. We profile all 11 sides and speak to them about their hopes and expectations for the upcoming season.
AIRDRIE LADIES
Manager – Jim Morton
Airdrie Ladies finished in eighth place last season and ended their campaign with three home league wins on the bounce. The club are eager to break into the top six this time round and have added a player pathway which they hope to add young players going forward.
Manager Jim Morton told us “The least we would be looking for would be a top six finish, once we achieve this would like to push on for a play-off place then ultimately would try and win the automatic promotion place to the Championship. But we know this is going to be very difficult because the league is so competitive. Squad size is so important if we keep everybody fit so we can achieve this, we also have a player pathway in the hope we can add our promising youngsters a chance to develop into the ladies team”.
BONNYRIGG ROSE
Head Coach – Jamie Carter
Bonnyrigg Rose secured promotion to SWF League One by finishing second in SWFL East and then beating Harmony Row to secure their spot. It’s a big step up for the club and they have some very exciting players in the side who are sure to catch the eye this season.
Head Coach Jamie Carter told us “We are under no illusions that it’s going to be a step up in class and a hard season. We have got very good players at our club and if they can perform I’m sure we will pick up points. I’m sure the girls will enjoy testing themselves against harder opposition”.
BSC GLASGOW
Manager – Paul McManus
BSC Glasgow ended the season in 10th place and will take positives from their previous campaign in the hope that they can improve their position this time round. The club have been holding open trials over the summer as they look to strengthen in key areas.
Manager Paul McManus told us “BSC is looking forward to the coming season particularly as League One now has three clubs promoted from the SWFL regional leagues who will enhance the experience for everyone. It promises to be an exciting and competitive league this year and despite the late start to the season our players are looking forward to the challenges ahead”.
DUNDEE WEST
Head Coach – Thomas Stein
Dundee West retained their place in SWF League One last season with a massive 3-0 victory at home on the final day. The club are eager not to be in a relegation battle this time around and will be hoping to get off to a faster start in the upcoming campaign.
Head Coach Thomas Stein told us “This season, we want to be ambitious and positive by entering every match with the belief that we have a chance to win and by setting ourselves standards of being the best version of ourselves on and off the pitch so we can be 100% prepared to compete from the moment we step onto the pitch until the final whistle”.
EDINBURGH CALEDONIA
Manager – Euan Cole
Edinburgh Caledonia secured a top six spot last season and will be hoping to carry on their form that earned them that place as they look to be in that position again. The club have some good attacking talent and are more than capable of winning games by huge margins.
Manager Euan Cole told us “Last season a great run of form post-Christmas saw us end up in a top half finish after the split. A similar season would be viewed as a success with the highly competitive set of teams this time around”.
FALKIRK
Manager – Craig Tully
Falkirk missed out on promotion last season after a 2-0 home defeat to Westdyke on the final day and will be eager to redeem themselves this time round. The club have kept several key players from last season and have made some really impressive signings.
Manager Craig Tully told us “We are expecting a very competitive league this season and with the new team coming in it’s going to be a difficult challenge for everyone. We obviously had a disappointing finish to the league campaign last session so hoping we can go one better this time”.
FORFAR FARMINGTON
Head Coach – Gary Hamilton
Forfar Farmington earned promotion to SWF League One by winning the SWFL North, then winning their play-off match. The club are currently going through a rebuild after withdrawing from the SWPL in 2021 and hope to have a positive impact this season.
Head Coach Gary Hamilton told us “Having been promoted last season, we’re very much looking forward to the season and the challenge that lies ahead. I believe we have a very talented group of players and I’ve been really pleased with them all in terms of their quality, attitude and application throughout pre season. Having started back at the end of June, pre-season seems to have gone on for a while, but with the season now upon us, we can’t wait to get started”.
GIFFNOCK SC
Head Coach – Reece Walsh
Giffnock SC are a side who are filled with attacking talent and are more than capable of bettering their ninth place finish last season. The club are going into this season with a new Head Coach as Reece Walsh replaces Jack Clow so their is confidence at the club this season.
Head Coach Reece Walsh told us “It’s a really exciting time within our club. We are looking forward to another season competing in League One. We hope to build from the foundations we created last season with the addition of new players and coaches joining the Giffnock Women’s set up.”
QUEEN OF THE SOUTH
Manager – Ross Meechan
Queen of the South strolled to the SWFL South title last season and earned promotion by winning their play-off game. The club are stepping up this season and have the players who can make a real impact at this level in what looks to be a very competitive league.
Coach Mark Ovens told us “Having had a successful last season winning the league unbeaten and then the play-off we are excited for the challenge ahead in League One. We are under no illusions that they will be tough games against quality teams but we believe we have very good players who will compete at this level”.
ST MIRREN
Head Coach – Kate Cooper
St Mirren have been a side who have made rapid strides each year since forming five years ago. The club finished fifth last season and have kept most of their core from last year plus have added in key areas in the hope to improve their position this time round.
Head Coach Kate Cooper told us “We are looking forward to the season ahead. This is the first season since we began five years ago where we have started the season with a settled squad. The squad is feeling confident after their pre-season and have the desire and ambition to be a challenge for promotion this season. But we don’t take that challenge lightly because there are so many teams with quality players so hopefully it can be as exciting as it was last year. New teams, new players, more investment and commitment by clubs, volunteers and players. Definitively looking forward to the season ahead and we wish everyone their best season ever”.
STENHOUSEMUIR
Head Coach – Jack Cameron
Stenhousemuir finished in fourth place this season and only ended the campaign, four points of the promotion places. The side had an excellent first season in SWF League One and have made some good signings in the hope they can challenge for promotion again.
Head Coach Jack Cameron told us “We had a successful first year as a team last season, building the squad and competing at the top end of the league from start to finish. As we come to the end of pre-season we are delighted with both the performances and the additions we’ve made to the squad. Our targets for the upcoming season is the same as always to go into every game with the intention to win and compete at the top end of the league”.
SM MEDIA 
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