Richardson is named as new Potters boss

SARAH Richardson is the new head coach of Stoke City Women.

- Peter Smith

She replaces Marie Hourihan on the back of coaching at Loughborough Lightning and Loughborough University, who have both come through unbeaten seasons. She was assistant manager of Lightning - who have won promotion to the National League Northern Premier Division and won the Leicestershire County Cup. She also guided Loughborough University to the Tier 1 Midlands title and the National Cup Trophy.

Richardson, who previously spent seven years working with Nottingham Forest, joins Stoke as the club launches a new elite girls' academy and takes over a first team which finished in a club record high position of third in the National League North last season.