Bonner: Anfield parade was special
In her final column of 2014 Liverpool Ladies captain Gemma Bonner talks about the special feeling of parading the Women's Super League title at Anfield and explains why she is relishing the opportunity to play for England against Germany at Wembley.
We had the privilege once again of parading our Women's Super League trophy around Anfield last Saturday before the first team game with Hull City. After last season I didn't think the reception we got could get any better than that, but it really did. To get a standing ovation at Anfield was a great feeling and this is a really special football club.
Winning the title was a surreal day especially after going into the day in third place in the league. I think it has just about sunk in now what we have achieved as we went through every emotion possible that day.
I know I touched on this earlier in the season but our team spirit was a massive factor in us winning the title. We suffered some major setbacks at the start of the season. From our title side having already lost Whitney Engen and Louise Fors who moved back home, we suffered two ACL injuries in the pre-season.
Losing key players can affect any squad and throughout the season we also suffered several other injuries, but the togetherness and spirit in the camp pulled us through. It was a real test for us and everyone at the club deserves an enormous amount of credit. No-one expected us to win the title again and there was a lot of pressure on us as defending champions, but we showed that as a team we are together.
One of the new players that did come in was goalkeeper Libby Stout and what a signing she turned out to be by Matt Beard. Libby made some inspirational saves, she brought a calmness and assurance to the backline and as a defender that is all you can ask for.
Next season will certainly be different without Amanda Da Costa in the changing room. She was a massive signing for us, a great player and a great person. She really helped the team grow and she put in some great performances. We will all miss her and on behalf of all the team we wish her all the best back in the USA with her new team Washington Spirit.
The season might be over for us domestically but me and a few of the Liverpool girls will hopefully be involved for England when we take on Germany at Wembley on November 23. That is going to be some occasion and already over 40,000 tickets have been sold which shows you just how far the women's game has come on. It's exciting times for women's football and as a player it doesn't get much better playing for England at Wembley.