Tom Cunniff on a big summer for Bolton Wanderers Women

The Whites finished third in their first campaign in tier five. Cunniff took interim charge of the squad last October following a spell as assistant, and was later handed the head coach position on a permanent basis after impressing.

Bolton have announced the signing of former Liverpool and Manchester City midfielder Grace Vella, with more arrivals set to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

“I think it's massive, this summer more than ever for us. We learned a lot last season, we've got an amazing pathway,” Cunniff told The Bolton News.

“We had 10 players last summer from our pathway get signed to Academies like Man United, Man City, Everton. So we know it works, we know they’re capable.

“It's about giving them the chance so they want to stay at Bolton and don't have to move on. But we learned a lot last season and that's their first experience at open age football, and it's a massive difference.

“We know they're technically good enough, but then it's the physicality and slowly bedding them in. This summer, our recruitment has been massive on players who are ready right now.

“There's a bit of a project over the next few years where this squad kind of stays together, with an addition one or two every summer.”

Zara Plano was an important member of the squad last season after arriving on dual registration from Everton, but the midfielder has now returned to the Toffees and is among those who Wanderers need to replace.

“We've lost quite a few players this summer,” Cunniff added. “Zara has been recalled by Everton, which is amazing.

“Then we've got a few going to America on scholarships, which is amazing because their education is being paid for.

“They get a bit of work while they're there. They get even to play on ESPN in front of very good crowds, so it's opportunities you can't really turn down based on where we're at right now.

“But we want to get to a point where people are turning that down because they want to be at Bolton higher up the leagues.”

One of the areas Cunniff wanted to strengthen was the experience in the squad, which he feels can give the Whites a boost next season as they aim to push for promotion.

“We will have to end up signing a few more than we'd usually like to this summer,” he admitted. “We've done a lot of the work now and you'll see it on our socials over the next few weeks, that we slowly start announcing some.

“They are quality experienced players, which will help our younger players as well. That's what our squad needed.

“That was the only difference last year from us finishing third and finishing first, that experience on pitch to help our younger, talented players out.

“We're very confident with the players we brought in. Yes, we’ve had to bring in a few more than we'd like this summer, but next summer we hope only to add one or two.

“We hope this squad now takes us on a journey over the next few years and it's a project for the whole squad.”