The NMLFC played its first matches in the early months of 2006, suffering defeats to Leeds Medics and Killingworth YPC, before heading to NAMS 2006 in Southampton, where the girls were unlucky to not progress beyond the group stages, winning two, drawing one, and losing only one of their group games.The season culminated on a high with the girls' first truly convincing victory, a stunning 5-1 win against Manchester Medics.

For the first time the club's first team will compete in the Northumberland Women's League in the 2006/07 season. The first seasons will be a step up, and it is important to remember that the NMLFC is exactly the sort of grass-roots type football that the FA is trying to encourage. Football doesn't have to be about promotion and championships; instead about forging a fantastic team spirit (done!) and getting a fantastic group of girls (done!) to enjoy themselves playing football twice a week .

Those players not representing the first team this season will play for our second team against other medical schools, with a view to entering a second team in the NWL in the coming seasons. The club remains committed to providing football for people of all abilities, including those who have never kicked a football before in their lives.

Here's to what promises to be an exciting season for all.

GROUND DIRECTIONS: The NMLFC play at Benfield Centre for Sporting Excellence, Benfield Road, Walkergate, Newcastle.

From the Coast: Take the Coast Road (A1058) towards Newcastle and come off at the Benfield Road junction (just after Wallsend), turning left onto Benfield Road towards Walkergate. Continue for about a third of a mile, under the railway bridge, and then the entrance to the Sports Centre is on your left.

From Newcastle: Take the Coast Road (A1058) towards North Shields/Tynemouth, and come off at the Benfield Road junction (the one after Chillingham Road), turning right at the top, on to Benfield Road towards Walkergate. Then as above.