Merseyrail Bootle FC Ladies’ Team have been causing a stir on the roads lately by riding bike hire scheme Bike & Go’s red distinctive bikes together to get to their training ground.
Just like England women’s football team – who made history recently by reaching the World Cup semi-finals for the first time – the Bootle squad have been celebrating their own success: topping the Liverpool County League table after just two seasons together.
And in true team spirit, some members of the team who use the train to get to Aintree have been completing their journey to the Delta Taxi Stadium in Bootle together by jumping on the Bike & Go bikes, which are a great way for rail users and occasional cyclists to complete their train journey, at Aintree station.
The squad has gone from strength to strength since launching in 2013, with the club picking up FA Women’s award, ‘Love Football, Play Football’, in 2014. This was for its grassroots football development programme, which has inspired more than 60 girls and women in the area to take up the sport.
Manager Dave Miley said:
“Being a team isn’t just about playing great football for these women, it’s about spending time together too. Cycling from the station to the stadium gives them the opportunity to unwind together while enjoying the good weather; and that means they’re refreshed and relaxed when they arrive at training.”
Bike & Go director Kaj Mook said:
“It’s great to see such an inspiring group of young women using Bike & Go to complete their journey in an easy and convenient way. But the scheme is for everyone, and we encourage people of all ages and levels of fitness to give it a try.”