Last season was her first in four years, this season she’s been elevated to captain of Mansfield Town Ladies and began the new campaign leading them to victory over Anstey Nomads.

Chloe Hutsby, a 30-year-old defender with a degree in Sports & Exercise Science for Sheffield Hallam University, is not only highly thought of, but a former team-mate of Stags manager, Andi Bell, with Hutsby having had previous spell with Nottingham Forest and Derby County.

It’s big boots she’s filling though, replacing the recently-departed Amy Dawson, but for Hutsby, the chance to continue working alongside the Stags boss was one that brought her to the club in the first place.

“She (Andi) is irreplaceable really,” began Hutsby, the 2022/23 Ladies Player, and Players Player of the Season.

“I’d played alongside her previously and seeing that she was here, I messaged her to what was what, and we just went from there really.

“I hadn’t played for four years before last season (due to employment in the fire service), so last season was my first at this club.

“I’ve had a couple of spells at Ilkeston, as well playing for Forest and County.

“When I was at university though, I only played for them as I didn’t have time, finances, to do more.

“As for the degree, I’ve not used it all, but it was a great experience, although at the time I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do, or was even interested in doing.”

Last season, Hutsby’s first at the club, saw them narrowly lose out in the County Cup final, losing 2-1 to eventual double-winners Notts County, despite leading at the break.

They also finished fourth in the East Midlands Women’s Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division, behind County, Lincoln United, and Chesterfield.

Now, having begun with victory over the side that finished directly below them last time around (3-0 at home this past Sunday with goals from Mathilda Evans, Grace Shipman, and Olivia Wheatcroft), it’s all systems go for a new push for the title, and with it, promotion.

There’ll be challenges, the likes of Lincoln and Chesterfield, local rivals Basford United, former club Ilkeston Town, among others stand in Mansfield’s way, they just need to learn from last season’s pit-falls.

“We had a slow start, begun gathering momentum, but lost points we shouldn’t have,” explained Hutsby looking back on the 2022/23 campaign.

“Although we were strong defensively, and had some great build-up play, we didn’t have that instinct in the final third.

“Now though, with the new players brought in, we’ve hopefully got that.

“There’s much excitement, ability around this team though, some great prospects.

“We know we can have a really good season and push for promotion; there’s a togetherness about us this season and that can play a part.

“As for cup competitions, I can’t see why we shouldn’t pushing in all of them and really go for it.”

And then there’s the captaincy; something which came as a surprise for the firefighter and, with the void to fill due to Dawson’s departure, Hutsby is ready to step up to the plate.

“I really wasn’t expecting it,” admitted Hutsby.

“But I’m experienced, level-headed, calm, so that can only be good for being a role model.

“I hope to, and want to make a difference, but I’m also learning on the job so it becomes a different dynamic for me.

“If I can help get the best out of the players here, and maybe score a few goals myself, then we can have a really good season.”

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*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @MTFCLadies Stags skippering defender Chloe Hutsby.