LIVINGSTON WOMEN

Livingston Women’s FC are to receive close to £4000 thanks to an anonymous donation of £100,000 to be split between 26 SWFL Championship clubs.

The Lionesses had only just kickedoff their first ever season before football ground to a halt due to the Covid- 19 pandemic and the donation of £3846 has been welcomed by head coach Paul Jaconelli.

Speaking to the Courier, he said: “It’s great news for the club. It’s a hugely generous donation and one that will have a positive impact on all of the 26 clubs.

“We’re not sure at this stage where the money will be invested but it’s a significant amount for a club like ourselves. We have a pathway that includes a development team and youth teams at Blackburn United and the next generation is hugely important to the success of this club.”

Jaconelli’s side had booked their place in the SWFL Championship quarter-finals and were sitting atop the Championship South table after three games but haven’t played since March.

And while he’s hoping to get back on the park sooner rather than later he says his main focus is looking after the mental health of his players.

He added: “There’s nothing concrete yet in terms of a return but we’re now at a place where some of our players are able to kick a ball about in groups of three and that’s a positive for them.

“We’ve worked hard to keep up that team spirit and togetherness. We have our fitness coach running sessions and plenty of team meetings on Zoom so we’re all in constant dialogue.

“The mental health of my players is the most important and it would be great for them to be able to get back out and play football and bond and see each other in person again. It’s been a strange time but I think we’re moving towards knowing when we’re able to get back to training again which would be a huge boost.”