Brentford Women’s consultant Lois Fidler on progress, purpose and building for the future | OneFootball

The 2025/26 season marks a significant new chapter for Brentford Women as the team continues its upward momentum following promotion to tier five last year.

With a new head coach to be confirmed and a fresh crop of players integrating into the squad, a clear sense of direction is already taking shape — and much of that groundwork has come under the guidance of newly appointed women’s consultant Lois Fidler.

Fidler, who brings over 25 years of experience in the women’s game, joined Brentford to help shape the strategic and operational structure of the women’s programme as it enters a critical period of growth.

“It’s been a busy period, but the foundations that have already been laid by those before me deserve real credit,” said Fidler.

“The team had a fantastic season under Karleigh [Osborne] and it’s clear there’s a lot of care and pride in the work that’s gone into the women’s programme so far.”

Previously a national coach with England’s Under-17s, overseeing more than 80 international fixtures, Fidler has held senior roles at the FA, Southampton and across performance management and identifying talented players. She now brings that blend of coaching, leadership and long-term planning to her work with the Bees.

“I’ve been privileged to work full-time in football since university and I’ve seen how important it is to get the strategy and infrastructure right,” she said.

“At Brentford, we’re aligning what we do on the women’s side with the club’s values and overall direction - it’s about putting the right things in place, being intentional with our decisions, and future-proofing how we develop players and staff.”

Preparations for the new campaign have already begun. With pre-season underway, players have returned to a refreshed training programme that includes pitch and gym sessions, as well as the use of new facilities - a move Fidler believes will make a meaningful difference.

“We’re focused on making sure the offer to players is high quality,” she explained.

“We’re taking a holistic approach - women’s health, physical development, technical preparation - all of these things matter.

"And while we’re still finalising the coaching staff, we’ve had some excellent temporary coaches involved in sessions to ensure the players are ready to go.”

The club has also run an extensive recruitment process over the summer, with more than 150 players involved in a six-week trial programme.

The process was deliberately open and wide-ranging, allowing the club to identify both senior players and those who may fit into the development pipeline.

“We’ve taken time to do it properly,” said Fidler. “We’ve assessed players across different groups to understand their qualities and where they might fit. Whether that’s returning first-team players, Emerging Talent Centre players stepping up, or B-team players pushing through, we’re confident we’ve made good decisions with care.”

With that in mind, the ambition moving forward is to create a more connected pathway between the first team and B team, underpinned by clear support structures for players both on and off the pitch.

“It’s not about short-term fixes,” she added. “It’s about building something that lasts. We want to recruit better, develop players in a more informed way, and strengthen the environment they operate in. That includes supporting staff, aligning teams, and making sure every player - no matter where they are in the pathway - is valued and challenged in the right way.”

The women’s game is evolving rapidly, and Brentford’s commitment to growth is reflected in the work being done behind the scenes. For Fidler, the challenge is exciting - and the purpose is clear.

“This is a new era for the club and for the women’s team,” she said. “We want to be ambitious, but we also want to be smart. With the right people, the right processes, and a clear vision, we’re confident we can continue to build something special.”