Gareth Taylor‘s side travel to West Ham United for our opening fixture of the Barclays Women’s Super League season, before hosting reigning champions Chelsea in our first home match.
It’s a difficult start for City, but Houghton sees it as an opportunity to gain an early foothold in our pursuit of the WSL title.
Reacting to our 2023/24 fixtures, she said: “It’s a tough start to be honest, to play away first game of the season is always tough.
“In previous seasons we had really tough starts, playing the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal in the first game.
“This league is competitive, there’s not going to be any easy games but it’s important to start bright and better than we have over the last few seasons.
“Especially with Chelsea in our first home game, I’m sure the crowd will be up for it and the girls will be too.”
Houghton was joined at the City Football Academy by Jess Park, fresh from a hugely successful loan spell at Everton.
The winger’s success at the Toffees saw her receive her first senior England call-up, and she would even net on her debut in a 4-0 friendly win over Japan in November 2022.
But the 21-year-old is excited to make her mark back at City this season, as she battles for a regular starting berth out wide with fellow Lionesses Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly, as well as Norway international Julie Blakstad.
“I just hope to get more playing time, goals assists and help the team get higher in the table and win a couple of trophies. I’d love to take part in that,” she explained when asked about her targets for the new season.
“It’ll be difficult but I can just work hard, that’s all I can control. Hopefully I’ll get some good opportunities.”
Hear Steph and Jess in full via the video above...
