For our Kick-Off pull-out, we looked ahead to Karen Hills’ team competing in the top flight for the first time

Spurs Women are preparing for a debut season in the Barclays FA Women's Super League, but know life will not be easy in the top tier.

After years of hard work and sacrifice, Karen Hills' side have reached the highest level in the game and by sticking to their principles throughout.

Winning the double - Ryman Women's Cup and FA Women's Premier League Cup - at the end of the 2015/16 season was the beginning of a successful era for Tottenham Hotspur Ladies and they have not looked back since.

The following campaign, they secured promotion to the FA Women's Super League 2 via the play-offs and also secured the Premier League Southern Division title, as well as retaining the two cups they won a year earlier.

In the second tier for the first time, Spurs consolidated in the 2017/18 season, but showed they could compete with the best and after successful applying to be a part of the newly named FA Women's Championship, they kicked on again.

An exciting title race with Manchester United Women occurred and Hills' girls gave everything they had.

Casey Stoney's new team eventually won the marathon, but Tottenham's efforts from the first minute until the last saw them finish second and with it promotion to the now-titled Barclays FA Women's Super League.

Several changes have happened this summer with Cheshunt FC's Theobalds Lane no longer where Hills' team will play home fixtures - that will now be the Hive, where London Bees play.

It will take some getting used to for Spurs, although they've played there plenty of times in recent seasons, so should settle in fairly quickly.

What will also be key is how soon the new signings gel with the old guard, as various members of the previous set-up have earned a shot at professional football.

Long-serving captain Jenna Schillaci will skipper the side after agreeing to remain at the club, which will now be known as Tottenham Women.

Spurs faced adversity last season, but largely came through it with flying colours and while this campaign will bring huge challenges, they will do everything they can to preserve their status in the Super League.