This is Bristol --FOR most football fans in Bristol the idea of competing against the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal as well as taking on the elite teams in Europe is little more than fantasy football – it is simply never going to happen.
But while the city's two biggest clubs continue to torment and torture their long-suffering fans with woeful performances, there is one team in Bristol which has already qualified for the Champions League and is looking to clinch the league title this weekend against table-toppers Liverpool.
Bristol Academy FC, or the Vixens as they are known by their fans, are one of the emerging powerhouses in the world of Women's Super League football. The team is stuffed full of internationals and is starting to attract star players from across Europe.
While Bristol City have yet to register a league win since being relegated and Rovers have won just twice all season, these are exciting times for the Academy team.
The club, which plays its home games at Stoke Gifford, has already appeared in two FA Cup finals and has also competed in the Champions League.
Bristol Academy also prides itself on being a part of the community. Star striker Anne Marie Heatherson currently works as a club ambassador and regularly takes part in coaching sessions at local clubs and schools.
The hard effort has reaped rewards and the club is now one of the best-supported amateur outfits in the Bristol area.
This weekend the players will take on Liverpool in a top-of-the-table clash – and the winner will clinch this year's title.
Although the women's game cannot hope to compete with the worldwide popularity of the Premier League, there is no doubt interest is growing. This weekend at least four coach-loads of supporters are heading up to the North West for the winner-takes-all contest.
The Academy came under the wing of Filton College five years ago and were also inaugural members of the newly formed Super League three years ago.
The Vixens have slowly climbed up the league in recent years to get themselves to the stage where they are challenging for the championship.
Manager Mark Sampson has been a key part of the success story and his philosophy is based around nurturing and encouraging young talent rather than bringing in big name players.
He said: "The story of the club is a fairy tale that seems to keep on going. This week we face a massive challenge against a big opponent. We do have some money to get good players but other clubs can spend much more money."
He added: "We have a set amount of money so we can pay that amount but that means we can lose players – last year it was the best player in the league, Jess Fishlock.
"So we have to approach it from another angle, be different, and grow our own stars or find a rough diamond and see if we can make them shine.
"It is hard work but great it is also. We see players grow through our youth teams fighting every day to one day pull on that first team jersey.
"Then we see players who come to us lost, who have fallen out of love with the game. We give them that connection to the game back, get them playing with a smile on their face then watch their talent flourish. We have a young group who still have so much more to give.
"I believe in them. If the players are patient enough and stick together, we can develop this team into a big team." Reported by This is 1 hour ago.