Tomorrow evening, the fifth instalment of the Women's Super League will get underway.
The FA WSL, which will be exclusively live on BT Sport for a second successive season, has grown in popularity year on year, with this campaign expected to be the most exciting yet.
Here, Sports Mole spoke with three players that are hoping their respective sides can make a big impact over the next few months.
Natasha Harding - Manchester City
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Your move to Manchester City from Bristol Academy was confirmed recently. How big a switch is this for you?
"It's a really big move for myself and for my family. There are exciting times ahead and from what I've seen from the girls so far, I've got no doubt that we're going to have a great season."
Did the new facilities at City play a part in your decision to make the move?
"It's massive, but not just that, it's also about what the club wants to do going forward. They want to win things and they're not scared to say that. Some clubs may be too nice to say it and just talk about taking part, but I want to win the league. I'm not ashamed to say that and I believe we have a team to achieve that."
City finished fifth last season, but do you see a title challenge being mounted this year?
"If I didn't think so, I'd be at the wrong club. Going forward, we need a winning mentality to start winning titles. Players have not only been replaced during the pre-season period, we've also improved the squad on last year. It's an exciting time for the whole club."
Have you been impressed overall with the quality of the squad in the short time that you've been training with them?
"There are some quality girls there and some really good youngsters as well. We've got the likes of Nikita Parris, Lucy Bronze and obviously Steph Houghton, who is quality. If we can come together quickly and gel as a team, we'll move in the right direction."
You can play out wide, but also as a centre-forward. Has the manager made his plans for you clear?
"I've adapted my style and role. I used to be an out-and-out winger, but I'm now more comfortable in central areas and that's the position I'm going to take up. I'm not scared to make the runs in behind defences and also take players on. Hopefully my style complements what the team wants to do this year."
The WSL launched in 2011. In your opinion, has it improved each year?
"The development of women's football has increased massively and the coverage from BT Sport and on social media has been massive. The fact that they are prepared to do that is a big compliment to the girls. We deserve this and hopefully it will only get stronger, especially after the World Cup."
How important is the coverage that BT Sport provide?
"It's massive. It's like our version of having a Match of the Day. If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be put into the limelight that we deserve. They are putting their time and advertisement in, though, which is putting us on the big stage to show our ability and desire for the game."
Alex Scott - Arsenal
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How excited are you as the start of the 2015 WSL draws closer?
"We've made some fantastic signings and we've seen that in the recent pre-season friendly [against] Millwall. It's the first time that I got to see Vicky Losada and she's going to take the league by storm this season.
"The manager, Pedro, is Spanish and his style is all about playing good football. With the signings that we've made, I'm really looking forward to it."
You mentioned Losada there, but you've also signed another Spanish player in Natalia Pablos Sanchon. How important will they both be for Arsenal this season?
"With Natalia, she's a goalscorer, which she's proven during her time with Bristol. She's one of the most natural goalscorers that I've ever seen in the women's game. Vicky is so technical and one to look out for.
"We've also signed Lianne Sanderson, who is a big name in the women's game and has been in America. Everyone knows what she's going to add to the squad this season. There's also Jemma Rose, so there is a good blend of players coming in."
You finished fourth in the WSL last season. On reflection, was it a disappointing league campaign?
"When you look at it from the standard of Arsenal Ladies, it was. But, to still come away with the FA Cup and to get into the Continental Cup final was fantastic.
"To lose our manager only four games in was tough, as was our start to the season. So, to still walk away with silverware, any other team would bite your hand off for that."
Do you expect more of a title challenge this time around?
"It's all about getting off to a good start and building up some momentum. The start we had last season was really our downfall. With the new players, a fresh outlook and the new manager, things are moving in the right direction at Arsenal."
You mentioned that you're the FA Cup holders. This year, the final is at Wembley - how big of an incentive is that?
"That's a huge incentive for every team to get to the final. Walking out at Wembley would be massive and every team is going to want to get there. It's massive for the women's game and hopefully as the holders, we can be there to defend the trophy."
Would it be fair to say that the WSL improves each year?
"I feel like I say it every year, but this season is going to be the most competitive yet! That's just the way that the women's game is moving and progressing. When you look around the league, every team has made great signings and there are so many star names.
"Most of the teams are on parity now, whereas before it used to be Arsenal and Chelsea that dominated. Now, you go into a game on a Sunday and you don't know who is going to win and there are always some shock results. That's the way it should be and it makes it more fun for the neutral."
Does the competitiveness improve you as a player and as a team overall?
"It's good for the team and as an individual. It pushes you on as an individual. That's one of the reasons I left Arsenal to go over to America about four years ago. There wasn't that competition, but I've come back and seen how vastly the league has improved.
"It's so competitive and it pushes me on as a player. English players don't need to leave the league and go abroad anymore because they've got some strong competition here now."
Beth Mead - Sunderland
Having won the WSL 2 last season, how exciting is the prospect of entering the WSL 1 this year?
"I'm really looking forward to it and I'm sure all of the girls are too. We're coming up against the big clubs and the best teams. There's also some of the best players in the world in this division, so I can't wait to test myself against them."
Your first match is against the champions Liverpool - that's a tough start isn't it?
"It's on BT Sport against the champions, which is great. We'll relish the game and just can't wait to pit ourselves against them."
On a personal level, you scored an impressive 13 goals last season. Are you confident of producing similar form in a higher division?
"My teammates helped me a lot of last season and I don't see why they won't be able to do the same thing this time around. Scoring double figures again would be nice."
What about England? Could playing at the top level help your chances of earning a call-up to the senior side?
"I hope so. I'm doing my best and just trying to put myself out there so that Mark Sampson (England head coach) may think about watching me. I'll do my best and just work hard."
As a team, what is the target this season? Is it merely to avoid relegation, or do you have higher hopes?
"Of course we want to stay up first of all, but we'd also like to surprise a few people and pick up some big results. I'm confident we can do that. We've got a tight-knit group up at Sunderland and if we perform to the best of our ability, we'll do fine at this level."
You mention BT Sport are showing your first game of the season live. How important is that sort of coverage?
"It's massive. They provide great coverage and that's great for the women's game. We want it to keep developing and be as big as the men's game. More people can now watch us and I think that they are pleasantly being surprised by what they are seeing on the television."
The FA Women's Super League is exclusively live on BT Sport and kicks-off with Liverpool vs. Sunderland on Wednesday, March 25 (BT Sport 1 from 7.30pm) and continues with Arsenal vs. Notts County on Thursday, April 2 (BT Sport 1 from 7.30pm). For highlights, news and views throughout the season watch the FA WSL Review Show on Sunday nights at 10pm on BT Sport.
Liam Apicella
