It has definitely been strange watching the FAWSL without the fans in the grounds but it is just really great having the competition back and thanks to the current pandemic situation we have had some great players come into the league that honestly I don't think would have come if the NWSL would have had a regular season in 2020. Players have come over to increase their chances of getting into getting into their countries Olympic teams and continue getting game time to keep. up their fitness. I really do believe that these players coming over has also pushed those who have played in the league for a few seasons as they have a lot of competition now for their space on the team. So here are my current favourite players in the league...

For me Sam Mewis has been one of the best newcomers to the league. She has made a very positive impact on the Man City side and I believe that since she joined the side the team have looked a lot more put together and complete. She has already shown what she is capable of in front of the goal and in the midfield. I really look forward to seeing Mewis' name on the squad sheet as you know that she is definitely going to add that extra threat and depth to the squad that Man City lacked at the end of last season. It is great to see how easily she has slotted into English football and let's hope she is here for plenty more seasons.

If you are looking for a no nonsense defender in the women's game look no further than Mille Bright. Bright has been one of my favourites for quite a few years now as she is a brilliant defender who doesn't mess around and isn't afraid to make a challenge. For me Bright is also one of the most consistent defenders in the league and has really helped Chelsea when it has been needed most, not only with her defending abilities but she is also threat in attack too whether it is a header or a long range strike she isn't afraid to give it a go. I would go as far as saying Bright is my favourite English defender overall at the moment and I hope she is one of the first names on the Team GB Olympic team sheet. 

Since Fran Kirby's return to action after her lengthy illness it is clear she has made plenty of improvements and is back in fine form. I don't know if it is the fight for a place on the team sheet or just to show people she is still capable of being a top quality player but Kirby is possibly in the finest form I have seen from her in years. Chelsea have brought in plenty of quality strikers and midfielders over the past few seasons so competition at the club for game time is fierce but Kirby for me one of the standout names out of those options and she is showing Emma Hayes just what she is capable. I just hope Kirby can stay injury free as this season is really chance for her to shine once more. 

So those players are my favourites at the moment but I am sure by the end of the season more names will be added so who knows there may be an end of season favourites post too. I can't wait until we can finally get back to going to the stadiums to watch games as I am hoping Heath is still over here playing and it is going to be great seeing these players in form and live for a change, watching every week on TV just doesn't cut it with all the talent is on offer. I don't know if it is the fact we can't go watch the games or just the quality of the players who have joined the league and how close it is in the table but I have to say this is my favourite season in a while. 

Who are your favourite FAWSL players at the moment? 

One thing I have really got back into lately is football boots, I think it is because I have started looking at reviewing them on here (plenty coming this year) but also because I really love the designs companies are coming out with lately and it is even helping me discover some from a brand I wouldn't have tried in the past. So here are the boots I would love to pick up...

The Puma x BALR boots just look like a nice classic pair of boots and fit with the rest of the collaboration nicely. I love the black and silver colourway as they just look nice a simple however the details are there and noticeable without taking away from the simplicity of the boot. The boots have the netfit for the laces and a knitted upper for a supportive fit. I would love to see how the GripControl layer works on these boots too. 

I think there is a bit of a theme with the colourways I am loving lately as this is yet another black and pink colourway. The Adidas Predators are one of those boots I always used to skip past but for some reason lately I am just getting more and more tempted by them. I have never owned a lace less pair of boots either so it would definitely be nice to have these as my first pair. They also have the ankle sock to improve stability which is something that is definitely an essential especially if you have weak ankles like me. 

For so long Nike were my go to brand for football boots and to be honest I wasn't a fan of wearing anything other than Nike but lately I haven't been impressed with some of their offerings however, after a quick scroll on the Nike website I found one pair I loved which is the Phantom GT Elite By Lucy Bronze. These custom boots just look fantastic with the gold color on the flyknit material and the tough text on the outside of the boot they are a great looking pair of boots. But the best part about these is you can customize them to say what you like, you can have them low cut or add a dynamic collar, there are plenty of customization you can make to these to really make them your own or you can just stick to the Lucy Bronze ones. 

There are definitely some fantastic boots out there at the moment but I think Adidas and Puma are producing the best ones and I could probably have done posts on just them with about 10 pairs from each brand as they are that good. 

Over the years I have added quite a bit of football memorabilia into my collection, especially since moving out I have added a fair but however, I have also managed to save some bits from whilst I was growing up too which I am very grateful for. It was rare that I ever got rid of my shirts and I would also pick up bits from attending games, online events and I would also receive things as gifts from family. As I have got older my love for the sport has only grown so I have added more and more pieces to my collection, especially since earning my own money and since moving into our own home we have added more to create a football theme around the house which is only getting better and better with every piece we add. With every addition though it seems to bring a new favourite however, there are some items that are solid favourites and these are...

Signed Bradford City Training Shirt

This was a gift from my parents at Christmas a few years ago and it is one of my most prized possessions. This training (warm up shirt) is signed by the Bradford City 18/19 squad and is printed with Darby 2 printed on the back. Stephen Darby is one of my all time favourite City players and I think he always will be so to have this shirt and know that the money went to the Darby Rimmer MND foundation which is a fantastic cause. I really wanted one of these and kept hinting to the family and honestly I don't know how they managed to keep it a surprise until Christmas day, now it is hung proudly at the top of the stairs for everyone to see. 

Lucy Bronze Shirt

It is quite funny that this is actually on the list as the Manchester City shirt was actually purchased for just £4 at our nearest Nike outlet years ago, I never intended to get it printed but a few weeks later I changed my mind and ended up getting Bronze 2 printed on the back from our local DW Sports store. A few weeks later Bradford City Women were having an event which was a Q&A with Lucy and you got to meet her too so of course we ended up with tickets and I took my shirt along to be signed. Now this is hung next to my Darby shirt at the top of the stairs and I don't plan on moving it anytime soon unless it is to get it framed. 

Keyring From Fiorentina 

When I was younger my dad worked as a steward at Bradford City so me and my mum went to plenty of games. One of my favourite moments growing up though was when we went to see Bradford City vs Fiorentina back in 2000. I was only 5/6 at this point and whilst waiting for my dad after the game we ended up meeting the Fiorentina players and they were fantastic they gave us merchandise and even food that they had left over from after the game, they were just lovely and it is an interaction I will always remember. I still have the keyring they gave us that day and even though it is an item that doesn't even say Fiorentina on it, the keyring will always remind me of that day and those interactions. It is thanks to this Fiorentina are one of my favourite teams abroad too they definitely left a lasting impression. 

Bradford City Captains Armband

This armband was actually a present for Liam but I guess seen as we live together now it is something in my collection too or at least that was the aim when buying it. I purchased this armband which is signed by James Vaughan from the Bradford City Christmas market back in 2019 and honestly I only got this due to running out of ideas of what to get Liam for Christmas that year. I am so glad I did though as Vaughan ended up going out of loan so was no longer our captain plus it is from the season that was never completed for the club so I guess you could say it is a little memory from a moment in history. I would love to add more things like this into our collection too over time as the presentation from the club in displaying this is fantastic and it looks great hung on our wall. 

Manchester United vs Benfica Programme from 1968

This was a gift from my grandparents for my 16th or 18th birthday and I love it. Unfortunately though at the moment this programme is round at my parents being kept safe until our house is fully redecorated as this is so old I don't want to risk it getting damaged after me looking after it so long, plus I don't want to store it somewhere in the house where I may end up misplacing it. They actually got me this programme from a flea market at a town local too us and it is the original from the game. For years I had this proudly on display in my room as it is a little piece of Manchester United history and as soon as the house is fully redecorated I will have this on display with the rest of our football items. 

My 1st Bradford City Shirt

This could very easily be my overall favourite from this post as it is one of the very first football items I owned and it is even signed making it even more special. I am so glad my parents kept hold of this one for me and that I still have it today as it is definitely one of those items where you just look back and think 'well I guess this is where it all began'. I think once the hallway is redecorated this might also end up being framed and hung up in the hallway/ staircase with the rest of our football items as it is that special.

So those are my favourite pieces of football memorabilia that I have got over the years, I know that I will be continuing to buy pieces for years to come and no doubt our house will be over run with pieces soon enough but this is definitely something I love as there are some great pieces out there to be purchased. What is your favourite piece of footballing memorabilia that you own?