Nick Cushing had moved on to pastures news three months previously to take up the opportunity of becoming assistant at New York City FC after a glittering six years at the helm.
But, just like the team he would oversee, Taylor threw himself into the new challenge and bolstered a squad already brimming with top class talent with a generous added sprinkle of star quality.
Chloe Kelly was first through the door, making the short journey down the M62 from Everton, before American World Cup-winning duo Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis switched Washington and North Carolina respectively for a crack of the WSL whip.
But City weren’t done there, with Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood also crossing back over the English Channel from Champions League holders Olympique Lyonnais at the beginning of September.
With the squad assembled, everything pointed towards a truly memorable campaign, and the team certainly didn’t disappoint.
The absence of the City fans compounded a difficult early adjustment period, in which we were beaten in the Community Shield by Chelsea and held to a goalless home draw by Brighton.
But it didn’t take long for Gareth Taylor‘s side to hit our stride and, from early November, we never looked back.
A club record winning run, several breathtaking last minute victories and the small matter of an FA Cup triumph to boot, relive it all via the gallery below.
