Lincoln Ladies are a team moving from strength to strength. The club is now firmly established in the FA Women’s Super League and the appointment of experienced coach Keith Boanas, after the departure of Glen Harris, is yet another boost.
Boanas’ career in women’s football speaks enough of the man to excite Imps fans for the immediate and long term future of the club. Having managed Charlton Athletic Ladies to two Women’s Premier League titles and three Women’s FA cup finals, Boalas made the move to international football with Estonia women’s national football team in 2009.
Speaking to The Linc, Boanas admitted the decision to leave Estonia wasn’t one he took lightly. He said: “It wasn’t a yes straight away. The move had to be one where I felt I could make a difference.”
However, Boanas’ decision was eventually made by the clear ambitions of the club and chairman, as well as the opportunity to work with a quality squad. He explained: “It took believing in what they were saying to me, and obviously the opportunity to work with some of the fantastic players that are already there that helped me make my final decision.”
One of those players will be a character Boanas worked with for eight years at Charlton, Casey Stoney, who Boanas described as “a fantastic captain.”
His relationship with the players should be one that takes off immediately, and a recently completed UEFA pro license qualification will bring the sort of quality and rigour that any club can benefit from.
Having finished strongly last season with wins over Chelsea and Everton respectively to finish fifth, it’s time to push forward and look to what is an exciting prospect for both Lincoln Ladies Football Club and Keith Boanas.