New Accrington Stanley Women head coach, James Mallett, is targeting two promotions in his first season in charge of the first team and performance pathway.

Mallett, a UEFA A and Elite Youth A licensed coach, has been setting out the club’s performance objectives for the new campaign and is confident both Stanley Women and the club’s reserves side can go all the way and achieve promotion this campaign.

Stanley Women finished third in the North West Women’s Regional League Division One North last season, while the reserves narrowly missed out on promotion, finishing second in the Lancashire Women’s County League Premier.

To achieve their goals, Stanley Women have appointed a new management team headed up by Mallett, as well securing the signings of a host of new players, many of whom were playing at a higher level last season.

As part of the club’s new infrastructure on and off the field, Stanley’s players will get access to the very latest analytical software, a conditioning coach, goalkeeping coach, sports therapist and sports psychologist.

The club recently began pre-season training and have a number of friendlies over the next few weeks against AFC Fylde, Fleetwood Town, TNS and Darwen.

Mallett brings more than 16 years of extensive coaching experience, having worked across various levels of the game, including three years in the United States, with a proven track record in developing young talent and driving performance.

It is a philosophy that fits very well with Accrington Stanley Women’s pathway for the development of younger players and their recent youth success, including several cup final victories last season and a treble for the club’s under-18s.

Mallett said: “I think with everything we’ve got on and off the pitch, we’ve got to be pushing for promotion. That’s got to be our number one objective.

“That involves driving competition within training, making sure our commitment to the players is correct and that the support on the field and the performances on the field match everything that’s off the field in terms of their development.

“Some of the things that we’re offering to the players is going to be rivalling tier-three and tier-four teams. So to have that support on and off the pitch to achieve what we’re setting as our objective, it’s really crucial to make sure we maintain that.”

In his first interview since being appointed as Stanley Women head coach, Mallett also discussed the fantastic community support the club has generated in recent years.

He said: “I saw the great support last season from when the games were at the Wham Stadium and the community and how they get involved is fantastic. We are looking forward to growing that, making it louder, and making it even bigger.

“We’re going to have exciting football matches. We’ve got Wigan, Blackpool, Bolton and Preston, so that’s a lot of other EFL clubs that will be playing with us and obviously we have the benefit of the Women’s FA Cup.

“So whenever we get the opportunity to play at the Wham Stadium, please come and join us, and let’s create an atmosphere for women’s football.”