Tuffley Rovers Ladies Football Club have taken two steps back in order to move forwards.

They are competing in Division Three of the Gloucestershire County Women’s Football League this season, two levels below where they were in the previous campaign.

“We’re looking to rebuild,” said Chloe Taylor, who took over as captain part way through last season.

“We’ve got quite a few younger player coming through – 16 or 17-year-olds – we’re looking to re-strengthen and go again.”

Taylor, a striker, is 25 and one of the older heads in the team.

This is her fifth season with the club having previously been involved with Windsor Drive, Gloucester City, Quedgeley Wanderers, Forest Green and Abbeymead Rovers.

“I started playing when I was six,” said the former Beaufort School pupil. “Windsor Drive were my first club, I played in a boys’ team there, I’ve always kicked a football.”

And she’s always been a striker and, like all strikers, she’s not short of confidence.

Last season she played up front on her own but she’s hoping for more support in the current campaign.

“That would be nice,” she said with a laugh. “I’m 5ft 5in, I want to get on the end of knockdowns.

“I’m right-footed and I’m quick off the mark. I can also use my left foot and I can head it if it’s a good cross.”

She’s aiming for 15-20 goals this season and if she reaches her target new manager Lee Hitchman will certainly be pleased.

Hitchman has taken over from Vaughan Howell, who set up the club’s ladies’ section five years ago.

Howell’s daughter Laura played in those early days and Taylor said: “She’s my best friend. She had to stop playing because she had two knee operations but she’s still involved.”

Also very much involved is Danielle Proctor, who plays centre-back and has taken charge of the club’s newly-formed under-12 side.

Their development is very important for the club’s future, of course, and if all goes well it won’t be too long until some of those players will be ready to feature in the adult team alongside Taylor, who, injury permitting, is sure to still be playing.

“I’m obsessed with football,” she laughed. “I want to keep playing for as long as I can. We’ve got so many girls wanting to play football now, the women’s game has really taken off.

“The Euros and the World Cup have made a huge difference. Our league is getting stronger all the time, we’ve now got four divisions.”

Ask Taylor who her favourite player and she says “Steph Houghton” without a moment’s hesitation.

The former England and Manchester City central defender was a top captain back in the day and is something of a role model for Taylor.

“I think I’m a fair captain,” she said. “Sometimes I can shout at the players but because we’ve got a lot of youngsters I think it’s more about being supportive.”