Women’s Super League 2022-23 previews No 3: Brighton

Despite a strong start, Brighton endured a frustrating end to last season. Finishing seventh, one place down on the previous campaign, and narrowly missing out on their record points tally will have been a disappointment for Hope Powell and her side.

This summer’s exodus of players will have concerned fans. The departure of the ever-present Maya Le Tissier to Manchester United has left a defensive hole to fill. Equally, the loss of Finland’s Emma Koivisto and playmaker Inessa Kaagman has presented Powell with a recruitment headache.

Players have come in, although a few more bodies would not go amiss. There has been an emotional reunion on the south coast as Rebekah Stott arrives back at her former club with unfinished business to take care of. Early in 2021 the New Zealand defender was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma and travelled home to receive treatment. She is in remission and returns with the aim to make the World Cup next year.

The full-back Poppy Pattinson has arrived from Everton along withVeatriki Sarri, who impressed with Birmingham last year. Norwegian forward Elisabeth Terland and South Korea’s Yeeun Park have been recruited and Jorja Fox, a Chelsea academy graduate and young England defender, has been drafted in on loan. There is also talent to nurture at the club. Players such as Maisie Symonds and Libby Bance will be looking for more minutes and a chance to express themselves at the top level.

There is no doubt Brighton are a club with a strong commitment to their women’s side. Last week saw the official opening of the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre, a multimillion-pound investment providing the women’s team with state-of-the-art facilities. A new strategy – “Pathway towards