This week, Palace Ladies striker Gemma Bryan picked up the Player of the Season award at the club awards night held at the Odeon Leicester Square.
It has been a remarkable campaign for the ‘invincibles’ who Gemma joined at the start of the season. Little did she know how the season would pan out.
Gemma is a player who has plenty of experience in the game having played for Charlton Athletic where she lined up with another of the Palace Ladies new recruits for the season Pammy McRoberts, and more recently at Watford. Having been somewhat affected by a long term injury, Gemma was convinced by Pammy to come with her to Palace and see how she felt. Both players were immediately impressed with the facilities and the feel of the set-up and signed ahead of the campaign.
The start of the season for Gemma was tailored to her final phases of rehabilitation and gradually introduced but not as much as she would really have liked. However, both Gemma and boss Dean Davenport knew what was achievable if the necessary patience and care was taken. With the power and prowess of Mary Robinson, Roschelle Shakes and Nicha Dyett, Palace were well equipped to hit the ground running.
Patience proved positive and Palace were slowly able to bring Gemma into more regular appearances. This naturally caused Davenport some headaches around his four, more than capable strikers. All were assured that they would be a regular and essential feature and, all bought into the ethos of being an integral part of a winning squad over a long and testing season.
With all four fit, Palace used the adaptability, experience and abilities of Shakes to play a slightly deeper role. This proving the perfect supply line for the re-emerging Bryan. The quartet were reduced to a trio when the fabulous news that Robinson was expecting broke in November. Although a significant loss, it enabled Bryan and company to enjoy regular and significant appearances and the campaign intensified.
Bryan had her rhythm broken following the most bizarre and inexplicable sending off at home to Enfield in September. Despite video evidence to the contrary, Palace were unable to appeal and the result was a three game ban for Bryan. This obstacle helped further prove the policy of having a deep and talented squad, and whilst the three game ban was frustrating, Palace were able to continue unaffected.
With Bryan returning after the ban, she and the team continued to press on and go from strength to strength over the season, with Gemma scoring key goals in vital games, notably the last ditched winners against Luton and Denham and the crucial equaliser away at Gillingham.
Speaking exclusively to TEB about the top scorer, coach Dean Davenport is nothing but complimentary;
‘Gemma came to the club as a known talent, one that many other clubs were keen on securing, but she was at a reasonably low ebb. We all knew that it was a case of having to be patient. This was something I knew we could be, with the talents and experience of the rest of the squad. Gemma settled in straight away and was immediately an integral part of the squad. Over time, Gem got stronger and started to show the confidence that we knew she had.
Her three game ban was frustrating but, again, something we were confident in being able to deal with it. Thankfully, she came back hungrier and more determined and never looked back, scoring multiple hat-tricks as she and the girls did everything they were asked. Gemma has an air of calm about her, even in the tougher games. We always know that there is a goal in Gemma and it makes for a reassuring feeling on the touchline.
Whilst Gemma has attracted so many plaudits, which she rightly deserves, she would be the first to tell you that this was a squad achievement and without the quality of the girls around her, she would not have had the season she has had.‘
Looking forward to next season, Davenport is confident that he will be able to keep hold of his class of 2016;
‘Gemma has shown her commitment to our ambition over the season and is an integral part of the squad. We are working hard to keep players like Gem, and add to them where we can. The good thing is, that knowing what we have achieved this season, and what it means to be Palace, Gemma and the girls have already started to eye the next step of the journey.’
Gemma Bryan 2015-16 Statistics
- League starts: 16 (3 from the bench)
- League goals: 32
- Cup goals: 8
We are sure all Palace fans with join all the team here at TEB in congratulating Gemma on the award following a terrific season for the Palace Ladies.
