Sheffield United midfielder Connie Scofield says the club are ready to be competitive after being given reprieve from WSL2 relegation.
After a tough season in the Women’s Championship (WSL2), Sheffield United were relegated from the second tier with just seven points to their name. However, the Blades were thrown a line by WSL Football after Blackburn Rovers’ collapsing offered the side another life in the division.
Sheffield United are back and ready to compete says midfielder Connie Scofield who spoke to The Halfway Line ahead of the 2025/26 WSL2 season.
Sheffield United players have each other’s backs says Scofield
Following the tough conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign, Scofield said that the side are back and ready to fight again in the WSL2 this season. Scofield spoke on the rising competitiveness of the WSL2 – something that she is relishing in.
“We know it’s going to be really competitive this season,” Scofield said. “There’s a lot of teams fighting to go up, so it’s just about working hard in training every day and pushing each other and really building the connections, because we’re quite a new team. We are just trying to build the connections and get really close together so we know when the games get tough that we’ll have each other’s backs.
“Every year the league is just getting more competitive. It’s harder and every team can beat any team. So, you go into every game and you could be the underdog, but you can get a result. I think it’s such a good league to be part of.
“We need to start a season strong and get points on the board as quickly as possible. I think we’ve had some good pre season tests already, and we understand each other a little bit more. The league is so competitive, every team is so strong, but hopefully we can get some points early doors and really kick on for the season.
“We want to climb as high as we can in the table, and we’re here to fight in every single game and be a really competitive side. And I think that we can definitely climb the league.”
Sheffield United relishing in the underdog name says Scofield
It will be hard to know what to expect from the Blades this season, with some branding them as underdogs. The midfielder said this is an expectation – or lack thereof- that the side will relish in.
“If people see us as the underdog, I don’t think that’s a bad thing at all,” Scofield said. “I think that’s a great position to be in. You can go into every game and there’s no pressure on you. You can literally take the game to the other people.
“I love being in that position. Like I said, in the league any team can beat any team, whoever plays well on the day, it’s about who wants it more. Run out, fight out, play – it doesn’t matter how much money the team has, facilities or anything. At the end of the day, it’s 90 minutes, it’s 11v11, it’s your subs, and who wants it more?”
Sheffield will kickstart their WSL2 season at home against Sunderland under the lights of Bramall Lane. Scofield spoke about the excitement surrounding the Friday night kick off, and how proud she is of the moment.
“It’s major,” Scofield said. “The fact that we play at Bramall Lane I think is fantastic. Even the changing rooms where we are is just quality and we do get a lot of fans.
“Hopefully on Friday night, people might have finished their work and 6pm isn’t too late in. So hopefully we can get a lot of Sheff fans to come.
“I think it shows what the club thinks of us and how they want to support us and back us. This season is completely different, we’re staying in the championship and I think it’s really exciting that we play at Bramall Lane. Hopefully we get loads of fans and new fans coming, and we always go and speak to them after the games and stuff like that So hopefully they enjoy that as well.”
