Image Credits: Gemma Brown Photography (ViA X.COM)

Billericay Town Women (BTFCW / WaveMakers) enter a critical period. A tough 2024–25 campaign followed by heavy defeats early in the next season left the team looking low on confidence in certain matches alongside facing an urgent need for stability. Though unrest did begin rather early for the wavemakers after a wave of managerial moves involving Nick Sheldrick — has added to the challenge. There is infrastructure and a committed women’s pathway at the club, so a comeback is possible — but it will require clear, immediate priorities: defensive consolidation, targeted recruitment, managerial stability and realistic short-term targets.

A 2024/2025 Season Of Worry And Woe..

The 2024-25 campaign for Billericay Town Women in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division exposed the scale of the challenges facing the club — both on and off the pitch. The league included squads such as Lewes Women, Oxford United Women, Plymouth Argyle Women, Watford Women and Cheltenham Town Women.

While precise full-league final table data for Billericay isn’t uniformly distributed, match-archives track many heavy defeats and low goal-tally months for the club. In a limited sample, Billericay were averaging 0.29 goals scored per match. [FootyStats]

They were also conceding at a troubling rate — in one sample they conceded 6.86 goals per match (for a short run of 7 games) and went 71% of matches without scoring. [FootyStats]

To top it off, common full-time scorelines included heavy losses such as 10-0, 9-0, 1-8, 0-6 — illustrating the gulf between them and top opponents. [FootyStats]

Put simply: the 2024-25 season delivered a harsh message — Billericay’s squad was out-matched in key areas. The team needed urgent improvement in:

• Defensive organisation and reducing goals conceded
• Offensive potency (they rarely scored more than one goal per match)
• Squad stability and cohesion

Those three areas became the foundational issues the club must address if they are to re-position themselves competitively in the division.

And So A New Season Began..

The start of the 2025–26 season has not made things easier for Billericay Town Women. The team faced heavy defeats against league rivals, reinforcing the issues from the previous season. Notable results included:

• 0–10 vs Oxford United Women – a result that underscored defensive vulnerabilities and the gap in quality against top-half sides.
• 1–3 vs AFC Wimbledon Women – showing some attacking promise but still highlighting inconsistency.
• 0–9 vs Plymouth Argyle Women – a stark reminder of the gulf in both experience and tactical cohesion.

These results have taken a toll the league standings quite heavily, and while the WaveMakers have the talent to compete, confidence has become a crucial factor. Players are being asked to adapt quickly to changing tactics and lineups while trying to find stability on the pitch.

Not only was significant degutting and changes to the team required; but even off-field turbulence has compounded on-pitch struggles.

Nick Sheldrick was appointed 1st-team manager earlier in 2025, bringing experience from his coaching background. However, his tenure was short-lived, and he has since stepped down, leaving the squad needing to re-adjust under new guidance.

Greg Lake, who stepped down as Chairman in December 2024, has reportedly returned to provide oversight for the women’s side, bringing a familiar figure back into the club’s leadership. This return majorly provided not only strength but a true lover of the womens sport to help guide the club and shape it into what it should be; a club challenging for the championship tier!

Squad upheavals have continued alongside these leadership changes, with several senior players departing late last season and replacements needing to gel quickly. Despite these challenges, Billericay Town Women have several advantages that could underpin a comeback:

Clear short-term goals – By focusing on realistic targets, such as improving defensive performance, securing points at home, and incremental squad development, BTFCW can begin to stabilize results and rebuild confidence.

Strong youth pathway – The WaveMakers program provides a pipeline of young talent who can integrate into the senior squad, offering energy, commitment, and long-term continuity.

Club infrastructure – Investments in facilities, coaching qualifications, and community programs (“Wave Makers”) create an environment conducive to rebuilding.

For Billericay to pull back the league and compete more effectively, several tactical and squad priorities emerge:

• Defensive organisation – Reducing goals conceded is the first and most urgent step. This includes set-piece work, structured defensive drills, and positional discipline.
• Targeted recruitment – Adding 2–3 experienced players in key positions (centre-back, defensive midfield, and striker) can provide leadership and fill gaps left by departures and whilst this has been done, there are still spaces to fill such as the Billericay Town grown Sophie Hart who has recently parted ways.
• Squad cohesion – Fostering chemistry between new and existing players is critical. Encouraging collaboration on and off the pitch will build trust and consistency.
• Managerial stability – Giving the current manager time to implement tactics and develop relationships with the squad will create continuity and long-term growth.
• Mental resilience – After a string of heavy defeats, restoring confidence is vital. Focusing on small wins and measurable goals will help players regain belief in their abilities.

Looking Ahead: Can Billericay Pull Back the League?

Short-term, the priority for BTFCW is stabilization — avoiding further heavy losses, rebuilding confidence, and fostering a cohesive squad. Medium-term, with strategic recruitment and a stable managerial approach, the club has the potential to rise toward mid-table security and, eventually, challenge the upper echelons of the division.

Long-term success will hinge on leveraging the youth pathway, maintaining leadership continuity, and gradually addressing the gaps exposed over the past season.

Personally, I am a firm believer in the process and the current squad at Billericay, and I have confidence that with Greg Lake’s guidance and unwavering support for the women’s game, the club is well-positioned to transform potential into tangible results. The foundation is there — it’s now about trusting the process and letting it unfold.