Bentley ready to use experience to help fuel Bristol City’s promotion push | OneFootball

Bristol City goalkeeper Fran Bentley says that she is ready to use her experience to help fuel a renewed promotion push.

The Robins were underwhelming in 2024/2025 as they were only able to record a sixth-place finish.

When speaking to WSL Full-Time, Bristol City keeper Bentley didn’t want to dwell on the struggles of last season and she admits that she is excited to have a fresh go at promotion this term.

“It was a disappointing season both personally and as a team,” Bentley said. “Sometimes, things don’t click and I think we are now just looking for a fresh start.

“I’m really excited to see how things go this season. We’ve got lots of new exciting things going on and big ambitions. Hopefully, we will be pushing for promotion.”

Bentley has already won Barclays WSL2 twice in her career with Bristol City and former club Manchester United. The player wants to draw on her experience to help the team chase promotion this season.

She said “When I first won it with [Manchester] United, I was such a young player and was looking at some of the more experienced players for help. It’s nice to have experienced it so differently twice. Now, I feel like I’ve gained so much more experience to be able to help any of the players.

“Each experience is different, so I know that there will be challenges for me trying to push for promotion again. I know that we can do it and help each other with our experiences.”

This season’s Barclays WSL2 promises to be a campaign like no other with stellar signings being announced across the league. Bristol City have got in on the act themselves, bringing in the likes of Sophie Ingle and Vicky Losada and Bentley believes that big name signings will strengthen the squad.

She said “Big signings are always great. I know that the ambitions of the club are to push for promotion. The more talented players that we can get around us the better because it will improve everyone day-to-day.”

While Bristol City have several new players, they also have a new head coach in Charlotte Healy. Bentley knows Healy well and says that she has already created a positive vibe in the dressing room and on the training pitch.

She said “She’s been brilliant so far. I knew her from a few years ago and knew she would be a great appointment. She’s come in and given us lots of fresh ideas, lots of encouragement. We are all feeling really positive and excited for the upcoming campaign.”

Bristol City kick-off the new Barclays WSL2 season with a fixture at Birmingham City on Sunday 7 September 2025. Season tickets for the club’s home fixtures are on-sale now and can be purchased by clicking here.