For everyone connected with Everton Ladies, relegation last season to WSL2 after 21 years in the top flight of women’s football was a huge disappointment – but you’ll struggle to find anyone more determined to put things right than Blues captain and lifelong Evertonian Michelle Hinnigan.
Hinnigan and her teammates were condemned to the second tier back in September but, since then, the FA have announced plans to increase the number of teams in the top division from next year.
Those changes give Everton and their rivals a greater chance of gaining promotion to WSL1 this term and, while conceding it will be a difficult task, Hinnigan has set her sights on steering the Toffees back to where they belong.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge,” explained the Blues skipper ahead of Wednesday's season opener at Aston Villa. “We were all devastated to be relegated last season, but we’ve got to put it behind us now and look forward to this new season.
"We have a clear aim, which is obviously to get promoted back into WSL1, because that is where we want to be.
“We know it’s going to be a tough task for us, made even harder by teams wanting to do well against us after coming down from WSL1.
"It’s always going to be difficult as well with the quality of teams like Doncaster and Yeovil. But we’re up for the challenge and we can’t wait to get started.
“We’re looking to get off to a really good start and it’s important that we do get a good return from the first three or four games if we are to compete and stay in contention to win the league.
“We know from last season how hard things can be if you don’t pick up points early on, because you can get stuck in a rut and, once you’re near the bottom of the table, it’s so hard to get out of that position.”
During the off-season, changes have been made to the Toffees’ squad, with six players coming in and six players going out.
Former goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis announced her retirement and striker Nikita Parris headed to Manchester City on loan, while Amy Kane, Brooke Chaplen, Fern Whelan and Jody Handley have all also left the club.
But manager Andy Spence was quick to strengthen his side with the likes of Claudia Walker and Jess King – and Hinnigan says all the new players have already had a positive impact.
“There is a really good atmosphere in the group,” she added. “A lot of us already knew a few of the new girls coming in, which I think has helped them settle in quickly.
“They have fitted in really well, their personalities fit the group and we know the quality they will bring as well. It helps us build the competition for first-team places, which can only be a positive thing for us.
“We’ve lost a few players, but Andy has got the players in that he wanted and he has been happy with the quality of the team up to now, having played a few friendlies in pre-season.
“I know the qualities that the new signings have and hopefully they can show that throughout the season.”
Log on to evertonfc.com on Thursday morning to find out how Hinnigan and Everton Ladies fared.