'It's been a brilliant year,' beams Newcastle United Women head coach Langley | OneFootball

Langley, who's been the team's head coach since 2019, has overseen several changes on and off the pitch and her pride in the players in black and white grows each season.

United began 2024 in tier three and chasing the top spot, and now sit just five points off the summit of the Women's Championship - a journey including memories that will last a lifetime.

"We want to reach the WSL (Women's Super League), but we know it's going to take time," Langley told newcastleunited.com. "We're on the right track and know that we've got to enjoy the journey.

"I said to the girls that 2024 started with us in tier three with 12 league games left to play and thinking we're going to give absolutely everything to get promoted into the Championship, and that's exactly what we achieved.

"I've enjoyed some of the best moments of my life this year with this group of players."

Newcastle are one of two newly-promoted sides this season alongside Portsmouth Women and Langley's side have only tasted defeat on two occasions in the league, remaining competitive in all nine of their outings.

While Langley is keen for everyone to reflect on United's progress, she insists the main focus is on improving and striving for further success.

"We're five points off the top of the table in the league, losing just two games in the process, so I can't ask for much more," she said.

"It's always good to reflect because it's been a brilliant year for the club but at the same time, we don't want to do that too much.

"We don't want to keep looking backwards because we need to remain focused on moving forwards and thinking about what's next and for us, that's trying to get this team into the WSL."

With just a single promotion up for grabs in the Women's Championship, it's going to be a tough test for United - or any side - to reach the top flight.

However, Langley, the rest of her coaching staff, and all the players have been putting in the hard yards and ensuring the groundwork is there to ensure long-term success.

"We're continuing to put steps in place to achieve our goals," Langley admitted.

"I'm just so happy to see we've been able to progress and keep building because ultimately, we want to be a WSL side."