Twelve of the Watford Women squad that won the National League Southern Division and was subsequently promoted back to the Championship have extended their contracts with the club.

Damon Lathrope’s side beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 at Stadium MK in May to secure promotion, and a dozen of his players will be back in Watford yellow next season.

Fixtures for the season were released earlier this week, and Watford will start by hosting Durham.

Goalkeeper Jacqui Goldsmid has agreed to a second season at Grosvenor Vale having arrived from Crawley Wasps last summer. The 23-year-old made 15 appearances in all competitions last term and became first-choice between the sticks, keeping a clean sheet in May’s play-off final.

Megan Chandler, who was vice-captain last season, has extended her contract with the Hornets for a fifth campaign, two months on from sealing her second promotion in yellow. Chandler was a mainstay in Lathrope’s backline last term, playing 31 times.

Another long-serving player, Anne Meiwald, will be starting her fifth season. She was part of Watford’s side last time out in the second-tier, scoring the Hornets’ Goal of the Season against Liverpool.

In midfield, Sophie McLean will begin a first full season in Hertfordshire after excelling in the second half of 2022/23 having joined from Billericay Town in February. She’ll be returning to the Championship after leaving league rivals Crystal Palace.

Another former Eagle, Drè Georgiou, has signed on for her third season after an inspired league-winning campaign, which she capped off by deservedly winning the Player of the Match award in the play-off final at Stadium MK.

Alli Palisch returns in the middle of the park but showed her versatility throughout 2022/23, filling in at the back when needed. The Republic of Ireland international played against the Golden Girls at Championship level two seasons ago for London City Lionesses.

One of Watford’s most consistent performers in the National League, Annie Rossiter, also returns for her second season after netting eight goals last term. She played in a mixture of positions during a successful campaign, including striker, winger and across the midfield

Poppy Wilson’s debut season at Watford saw her score the promotion-winning goal against Forest amongst other key contributions. Wilson, 23, scored 15 goals in 27 games in all competitions last campaign.

Flo Fyfe missed a large portion of 2022/23 through a knee injury but still averaged a goal or assist every 50 minutes. She will return for a third season at the club having joined prior to the Hornets’ 2021/22 Championship campaign.

Watford Observer: Bianca Baptiste signs her new contractBianca Baptiste signs her new contract (Image: Andrew Waller Images)

Bianca Baptiste was the first signing of the Lathrope era, and brings Championship experience following spells in the second-tier with Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace. She registered eight goals and 14 assists in 2022/23.

Gemma Davison joined the Hornets halfway through the 2021/22 Championship campaign, and has agreed to a second full season with Lathrope’s charges. The 16-time England international and 10-time winner of the WSL, scored nine goals and contributed 15 assists last term.

Initially joining on a dual-sign agreement from Arsenal, Ellie Head has completed a permanent move to Watford. Head scored on her debut against Norwich City in September and went on to provide five goals and five assists.

In addition to those re-signing with the Hornets, the club has confirmed that Jade Bradley, Lois Edwards, Melis Mehmet and Kalani Peart will continue to receive support in their rehabilitation from injury, with discussions on their futures to take place in due course.