Grimsby Town Women’s Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of experienced centre-back Kirsty Smith.

The 24-year-old former Lincoln Ladies defender is the second signing of the week, after Libbi Wright put pen to paper ahead of the Lincolnshire Women’s League 2019-20 season yesterday.

Speaking exclusively to gtfc.co.uk, Smith said: “The prospect of joining such a big club and being involved with their new women’s team right from the start is exciting.

“I know the manager as we live in the same area, and I know just how passionate he is about women’s football.

“I just got a sense that the whole setup is going to be run very professionally and I wanted to be a part of it.”

And manager Dale Houlston expressed his delight that the Mariners fended off interest from other clubs to capture the signature of the centre-half.

He said:  “I am thrilled that Kirsty has come on board, and I am aware that that she had opportunities to join other clubs in the area, so I think that speaks mountains about what is happening with women’s football at Blundell Park.

“Once again we have an experienced player in Kirsty. She demonstrates a brilliant team ethic as well as super leadership – I have no doubt that she will complement the group we are assembling very nicely.

“Her appetite for sport is immense, she is extremely competitive and her fitness levels are exceptional. She is everything you would look for in a centre half.”

Smith is a PE teacher in primary school education, as well as being a talented boxer. As well as her career in teaching, she can also be found in the boxing gym where she coaches young boxers as a qualified Boxing England coach.

We would like to welcome Smith to Grimsby Town Women’s FC, and we look forward to seeing her in the Mariners’ black and white stripes in the new season.