Stanway Pegasus Manager Rosi Webb Targets FA Vase Success and Promotion

Rosi Webb, who led Stanway Pegasus to the Essex & Suffolk Border League title in 2022, shared her perspective on her coaching role, stating, “I don’t ever walk into the changing room and think I’m a female coach, I just see myself as a coach – and the boys are really receptive.” As one of the few women managing a men’s team in England, the Stanway Pegasus boss is aiming for a successful campaign in the FA Vase while simultaneously pursuing promotion. The Eastern Counties League Division One North side is scheduled to play London Lions, a team from a higher division, away on Saturday. Last season, Stanway Pegasus defeated the same opponents on penalties during their journey to the fourth round of the competition. Webb shared her expectations with BBC Essex, saying, “We played them last year and we’re expecting it to be another tight game this year. We know they’re a good side and move the ball around really well. We know they’re going to be direct. But we focus on what our strengths are ahead of the game.” Webb commented on the distinct nature of cup competitions, stating, “Any cup game has a different feel, it’s a break from the league, it’s a one-match-at-a-time attitude and gives you a little bit of a buzz around the club.” She also highlighted the financial benefits, adding, “The financial side of it is really big for clubs like us, we rely a lot on investment and sponsorship. And we enjoy these little cups runs, it unites us as a squad the further we progress.” Webb’s squad, which hosts its home matches at Stanway School in Colchester, currently holds second place in the league standings, having secured 14 victories from 18 games. Max Booth has contributed significantly with 13 goals. Webb expressed her hope for success in the promotion bid this season, after narrowly missing out in the previous two seasons, following their Essex & Suffolk Border League win in 2022. She elaborated on the team’s past performance and current efforts, stating, “We fell short in the last two seasons in the play-offs, we regrouped, we tried to better ourselves off the pitch this year and implement different stuff into the side which has gone down really well.” Webb holds a Uefa B coaching licence and is also employed at the FA Women’s High Performance Centre located at the University of Essex. In addition to her duties with Stanway’s first team, she is dedicated to establishing a development pathway for young players. This commitment has resulted in the formation of an under-23 team this season and has enhanced the flexibility of rotating players across squads to provide them with more playing opportunities. She praised the club’s support, stating, “The club have been brilliant, they’ve backed everything I’ve tried to implement.” Webb emphasized her focus on player development over immediate achievements: “Reaching the fourth round last year in the Vase and getting to the play-offs are highlights, but for me it’s about bringing players through the club and seeing them progress.” She further explained, “We’re really keen to develop the youth pathway through our club which we’ve spent lots of time trying to develop and evolve over the last four years and we’re slowly starting to see those players come through into senior football.” Webb concluded by highlighting the satisfaction of nurturing talent: “Even though it (football) is about results, it’s also about those little gems, when you get to see the under-16s come through to the 18s, the 23s and make their first-team debut and we’ve had a couple already this season.” Webb expressed confidence that in only “a few years’ time” more female coaches will establish themselves in men’s professional football. She also aims to inspire more women to explore coaching roles. “I’m a big advocate of supporting your local team, find out who your local team is, go and watch them,” she advised. She further encouraged participation, adding, “Teams are always looking for volunteers so whether it’s just going along to training and supporting around the training ground, just give it a go, it might be a pathway you’ll be taking for many years to come.”