New Mansfield Town Ladies boss Andi Bell wants to guide club to National League

Bell - who described it as an 'honour and privilege' to be the first female manager of the team - is targeting promotion to the National League.

"I think in terms of the club, we've got a great starting point," said Bell, who was a player and assistant under outgoing manager Tony Palmer for the past nine months.

"Tony has done a great job and has taken them quite far in a few years.

"The infrastructure is excellent, as is the backing we get from the men's club. We're a very attractive proposition for the right player.

"We've got to be pushing to get up to that next level, into the National League."

Bell, however, knows that promotion has to be hard-earned in the East Midlands Ladies Premier League.

"It's not an easy league to get out of, with only one team getting promoted," she added.

"There are a lot of outside factors. You often end up playing catch-up with games after bad weather and at this level sometimes players aren’t available.

"With there not being that many games per season you don't have much margin for error."

Bell - who has played for clubs such as Derby County, Nottingham Forest, Tranmere, Middlesbrough Blackburn and Garswood Saints - admits she will be looking to add to the squad... but only if the right player becomes available.

"I think we will be looking to strengthen," she added.

"We've got a good nucleus, a good core here. We know the kind of players we want to have.

"But anyone we bring in will have to be an improvement and be able to develop the team.

"I'm not signing players for the sake of it. I've got a certain type of player in mind, the attitude and standard we want our existing players to have.

A date for the return of football is yet to be set, but the new manager is eager to get started.

"It's a real honour and privilege to be the first lady manager. I'm really pleased with the appointment," Bell continued."It's been a bit of whirlwind but I cant wait to get started."

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