Former Penrith 1st Team Manager Joins Amateurs!!

The season hasn’t quite finished for our Ladies First Team but we have already dipped our toe into the market and made our first signing for the remainder of the season and next season onwards with the appointment of former Penrith Ladies First Team Manager Jamie Fitzwilliams.

Jamie, a former youth coach as well as assistant coach in our Men’s First Team over the years left to take on a new challenge as the Penrith Ladies First Team Manager over 3yrs ago. He oversaw a positive time for the Penrith outfit, securing a 5th, 3rd and Runners Up position in the Women’s North West Women’s League (Tier 6). Jamie also guided his team to a Cumberland FA County Cup triumph in 2024 and reached the Adobe Women’s FA Cup 1st Round proper in 2 of his 3 seasons, which saw Penrith continue to be the highest ranked side in the County.

Jamie will now come into the Ladies First Team to work alongside First Team Manager Rob Campbell. The ladies Team has had a rebuild over last summer and the 25/26 campaign as it progressed, with Rob Campbell moving to the First Team from the Ladies “A” Team and building a new squad which has grown in strength and momentum as the season has gone on, securing their first Cumberland FA County Cup Final in 15yrs, winning a first round game in the FA Cup and narrowing losing in the second round.

Jamie Fitzwilliam & First Team Assistant Mark Kegg oversee warm up of the ladies

However it’s been their league form which has gradually built momentum as the young squad, many of which played two divisions below or come from youth football last season have quickly adapted to life at the top league in the County level, the Lancashire Premier League.

Jamie comes in at a pivotal moment in the longer term plan for the senior set up as the club moves from rebuild to strengthening and looking forward to progressing to Regional Level Football, which is one division above, and First Team Manager Rob Campbell was delighted to bring Jamie in “I’ve known Jamie for many years, through the youth at Whitehaven but also on many projects at the club and we always stayed in touch when he left and discussed football. I think he coaches similar to myself which in his first few weeks back home at the club, it’s felt seamless really.

We both understand each other and that means we can bounce off each other in training and that transmits to the players. I also think it’s a real sign of intent from us as a club that Jamie has decided to join us, and he sees the project and potential this club and these amazing ladies have, and I have no doubt his expertise and support will give us further fuel to push forward with our plans”

Jamie has now been involved with the ladies for a few weeks, getting to know the players not only in the First Team but also our talented “A” Team and he was really pleased to be back at the club and excited about the future “I am pleased to have joined Whitehaven AFC Ladies. Having been with the team for three weeks, it is evident that we possess a talented young squad with a strong desire for development.

The squad receives comprehensive support from Whitehaven Amateurs Football Club, which fosters an exceptionally positive environment for these young players.

I am eager to contribute to the individual and collective development of the squad as we strive towards achieving regional-level football.”

The Ladies Team will be running some open training sessions for interested talented footballers in the county to join the team during the summer and next season for both our First Team & “A” Teams, as we look to strengthen from our award winning Player Pathway alongside the best talent to fit our club DNA and culture.

If you are 15yrs old and will be 16yrs or above from the 1st September 2026, then contact Rob Campbell on 07423133120 for a informal chat and details on our sessions.