After being crowned Players’ Player of the Year at Teesdale Park, Jen Knowles is hoping to follow up a prestigious individual honour by steering Thornaby FC Women to promotion and cup glory.
Experienced Knowles, the Thornaby captain, collected The Keys’ sponsored award at Saturday night’s awards ceremony.
Just hours later, the 36-year-old centre-back helped her side secure a vital 4-0 victory over South Shields, keeping the pressure firmly on in the race for the North-East Regional Women’s League Premier title and promotion to the National League North.
The comprehensive Sunday win leaves Thornaby trailing league leaders Bradford City by five points, but with a crucial game in hand.
With three matches remaining, the team knows that a flawless finish could see them snatch the title or secure promotion as the best-placed runner-up in Tier 5.
“The season has been a very successful season,” said Knowles. “When I met director of football Andy Campbell last summer, he told me what was building here and I was excited to be part of it.
“It has lived up to the expectations and it has been great that the club backs us. They are ambitious here, and we have the players and coaching staff to be rightly excited.”
Thornaby’s remarkable league campaign has seen them suffer just a single defeat during a brief rocky patch, alongside one draw, winning all their other fixtures.
Knowles said: “When I came in, Andy said he wanted a County Cup final and promotion. So far it is a great season, but it’s not over yet. It was nice for me to pick up the individual award the other night. The Players’ Player is a real privilege and comes from the teammates and shows they value what I bring to the team.”
The critical run-in will test Thornaby under the guidance of head coach Curtis Collantine, starting with an away trip to Wallsend this Sunday.
That will be swiftly followed by the midweek game in hand away against Sunderland West End on Wednesday, before wrapping up the league campaign at home to Ponteland on April 26.
By the time the squad shift their focus to the North Riding Cup final against York City Ladies on May 7, Thornaby FC will know what division they will playing in next season.
Assessing the promotion picture, Knowles is well aware of the challenge ahead but remains optimistic about their chances of climbing into the National League North.
She said: “Bradford have lost one game. If they draw a game, it will go to goal difference if we win our games. But even if they win their games and we win ours, we will be in with a great chance to go up as the best-placed second team.
“I don’t know the ins and outs, but from where we are at the moment it does look very promising. There are still games to go, and you can’t take games for granted. We have to perform like we have in previous games to make sure we do everything we can.”
A PE teacher and mum from Shildon, Knowles brings a wealth of high-level experience to the Thornaby backline.
She previously played higher up the football pyramid in the Women’s Championship for Durham Women – navigating a tough division as the only standalone team against clubs backed by men’s sides.
Knowles also turned out for Durham Cestria in the league above Thornaby, where she pushed for promotion three seasons in a row and secured multiple cup honours.
Her impact at Thornaby hasn’t just been in defence. As a set-piece specialist, Knowles has become accustomed to scoring and has netted an impressive eight goals this season.
Despite her experienced status in the game, the captain shows no signs of slowing down.
“Make no mistakes, the aim for us as a group this season is the County Cup and promotion,” she said.
“That’s what everyone wants, it would top off my first season here as a captain at Thornaby by picking up a trophy. But I am someone who takes one game at a time and I am not looking too far ahead.
“I’m feeling fit, sharp, playing well, and we will just wait to see what the future brings.”
