Sheffield United trio sign up to club’s long-term vision

Katie Wilkinson, Jade Pennock and Maddy Cusack have all committed to Sheffield United Women for next season.
New deal - Jade Pennock celebrates scoring the first goal during the The FA Women's Championship match at the Proact Stadium, Chesterfield (Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage)New deal - Jade Pennock celebrates scoring the first goal during the The FA Women's Championship match at the Proact Stadium, Chesterfield (Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage)
New deal - Jade Pennock celebrates scoring the first goal during the The FA Women's Championship match at the Proact Stadium, Chesterfield (Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage)

The trio played a vital role in United finishing second in the aborted FA Women’s Championship this term, and have committed their immediate futures to a club with ambitions of joining women’s football elite, the FA Superleague, in the near future.

Wilkinson and Cusack featured in all 21 of manager Carla Ward’s United teams in the 2019/20 campaign, while missed just two matches.

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Wilkinson’s first season in the red and white stripes saw her score 20 goals in her 21 appearances, with her 15 league goals in just 14 games seeing her end the season as the FA Women’s Championship’s top scorer.

New deal - Maddy Cusack at Sheffield United Women (Picture: SportImage)New deal - Maddy Cusack at Sheffield United Women (Picture: SportImage)
New deal - Maddy Cusack at Sheffield United Women (Picture: SportImage)

“Last season we fell short and to me it feels like unfinished business,” said Wilkinson, 26, who joined the Blades last summer from London Bees.

“I want to be banging in goals for this club with nothing but promotion in sight.”

Winger Pennock joined the club back in 2018 from Doncaster Rovers Belles and has been a regular in the team ever since, playing in 46 of the club’s 48 matches in all competitions.

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Pennock, 27, has found the net an impressive 24 times in that period and registered 12 assists, ensuring she’s been a key player during the team’s first two years in the second tier of English women’s football.

New dea l - Katie Wilkinson of Sheffield United tackles Steph Houghton of Manchester City during the The FA Women's Continental League Cup match at the Proact Stadium, Chesterfield. (Picture: James Wilson/Sportimage)New dea l - Katie Wilkinson of Sheffield United tackles Steph Houghton of Manchester City during the The FA Women's Continental League Cup match at the Proact Stadium, Chesterfield. (Picture: James Wilson/Sportimage)
New dea l - Katie Wilkinson of Sheffield United tackles Steph Houghton of Manchester City during the The FA Women's Continental League Cup match at the Proact Stadium, Chesterfield. (Picture: James Wilson/Sportimage)

“We’ve just come off the back of a great season and we want to improve on that this season and push for promotion,” said Pennock. “I’ve been working hard over the break and can’t wait to get back playing in front of our amazing fans.”

Midfielder Cusack arrived from fellow Championship side Leicester City in January 2019 after spending the first six months of the season with the Foxes.

After swapping blue for red and white, Cusack became an instant regular in the Blades midfield and already has 33 appearances to her name.

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Cusack netted the dramatic winner as Ward’s side knocked Liverpool out of the Continental Cup last season.

Cusack, 25, added: “I’m delighted to have signed a new deal with Sheffield United.

“I’m looking forward to starting the new season and I can’t wait to get back into training with the team.”

The new Women’s Championship season is set to start in September.

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