Smith previews season opener.

Bristol City kick off their Barclays Championship campaign on the road this Sunday (August 21st, 2:30pm) against Coventry United at the Butts Park Arena live on the FA Player. 

It’s been a busy summer for the Robins with eight new arrivals through the door and Head Coach Lauren Smith, along with her staff have been working with the group for seven weeks to gel and mould the squad into a fit and firing City.

Pre-season has been a largely positive one with team chemistry building away from the pitch with trip to Mojo Active and Thatchers Cider farm, as well as on it. City have won four from four in the buildup to the 2022/23 season and will be looking to hit the ground running. 

In an extended interview Lauren Smith chats about City's summer, the group of players and staff the club have built, capitalising on the success of women’s football and previewing the test of Coventry United. 

 🎥 WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW

💼 SUMMER BUSINESS

"It’s been a really positive one. From the moment we finished last season we already had in mind what we needed for next season 

"We moved really well and made some really good decisions on who we have brought in to allow us to grow as a team. We’re really how pleased we have got to this point with the support of the club and the Robins High Performance Centre has been a huge pull for players coming in. 

"The best thing has been having the whole group together from the start of pre-season. We’ve had a big group together for the whole seven weeks, last year we only had a couple of players in so it’s been very different to last season but very much an enjoyable one."

🆚 COVENTRY UNITED CHALLENGE

"Every time we came up against Coventry last season they had some form of event or bad luck and they have come out fighting, and I don’t think they will have lost that.

"The players and staff have changed but they’re in tough position and fighting for their lives still. We all saw what happened when they came to us at the end of last season so we have to be ready for the fight on the pitch and challenge of the game."

💭 22/23 AMBITIONS

"Since I took the role it’s been about building the club and I’m still very much focused on that heading into this season.

"Last year was about building a new squad and staff, and we’ve continued to do that this year. We’ve added to the staff to further support the players even further off and on the pitch. 

"That’s the most important thing to me, so we can support, push and challenge the players to be the very best. That’s the priority and then comes the performances on the pitch that will get us more results and a better points total than last season."

🎟 FIXTURES

City kick-off their home fixtures on Sunday, August 28th (3pm) when the Robins welcome Blackburn Rovers to the Robins High Performance Centre. 

Lauren Smith's side then return home on Sunday, September 18th (3pm) as Sunderland AFC visit the West Country, before the reds have their first outing of the season at Ashton Gate against Southampton on Sunday, September 25th (3pm). 

🎟 2022/23 SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Season Tickets to watch City Women for the 2022/23 season are now on sale.

And you can watch them at the Robins High Performance Centre next season for as little as £60 for an Adult Season Ticket or a £40 Season Ticket for Under-12s, who will receive a free home outfield shirt.