After nearly 500 days away from competitive football, captain Hannah Power has returned to the City Women squad this season and has played a crucial role in the Bluebirds’ impressive start to the Adran Premier season.
In her last full campaign in 2023/24, City made history by completing a treble - lifting the Adran Premier, the Bute Energy Welsh Cup, and the Adran Trophy.
Following her appointment as captain in July last year, Power announced her pregnancy and gave birth to her daughter in February, as she missed City's double-winning 2024/25 season.
The centre-back, who has also operated in midfield this season, spoke about how special it felt to make her return to the side against The New Saints last month.
“It’s been so special,” Hannah began. “Having that time away made me value football even more. I got to experience what it’s like being away from the sport for that long, so I’m grateful that I was able to make my return after having my daughter.
“It was a great moment to be able to lead the team. I was named captain last year, but in that same meeting with the coaches when I was named captain, I had to tell them I was pregnant. It was my first proper competitive game leading the team as captain, which made it special.
“I knew how much hard work went into getting myself back to place where I could start games. Just because I’m captain doesn’t mean I’m guaranteed a place. I had to work hard to get back, to compete, and to be in the team with the girls again.
“Since that game, we’ve really pushed on. It’s motivated us as a team to make sure we don’t have a result like that again. I’m so thankful that I was finally able to lead the team.”
The City skipper went on to reflect on her regular return to the pitch and the team’s excellent defensive record so far this season.
“I’m really pleased with how I’ve started the season,” Hannah continued. “Pre-season was mentally and physically tough after having a baby - it’s like learning to ride a bike again. You’re trying to get your rhythm and your flow back. I’m really pleased with how I’ve come back, with my fitness, and how quickly I’ve been able to get it back.
“It’s not an easy journey but having a good group of people around me helped so much. I’m happy with my performances and the coaches have trusted me in a new role in central midfield. I wouldn’t be where I am without their support.
“As a defensive player, you pride yourself on clean sheets and not conceding goals. The fact that we’ve only conceded four goals - and two of those came in games where we scored five and six - just shows how strong we are defensively and how strong we are as a group.
“The defence starts from the front, with the girls pressing, then through midfield and into the backline - everyone’s been phenomenal. Since I’ve been back, we’ve had such a strong start and such a solid defence, but that’s credit to the whole team."
Reflecting on last season, Hannah admitted it was difficult to watch from the sidelines but added she was immensely proud of the squad’s achievements, winning an Adran Premier and Bute Energy Welsh Cup double.
“I was so proud of the girls and happy for them,” Hannah added. “Because I wasn’t involved on the pitch, it was hard. You want to be involved, you want to help the team but that pride overtook any personal feeling of being gutted that I missed out.
“I also knew I had something special going on in my own life, so I was just grateful that the girls were able to achieve what they did. Because of their hard work in winning the league and cup, I was able to go to the Champions League with them when I returned.
"It was mixed emotions, but ultimately, I’m so proud of the team and so happy they achieved what they did last season. It wasn’t an easy season - there were a lot of changes - but the girls were amazing, and that’s credit to their resilience all year.”
Looking ahead, Hannah says the focus now is on maintaining momentum and retaining the titles the Bluebirds won last season.
Hannah concluded: “We want to defend our titles. We want to keep the cups we won and keep the Adran Premier title ribbons blue. For me, I just want to help the team in any way I can - on or off the pitch - and help us get a treble again. That would be the cherry on top of the cake if we could achieve that.
“But more than anything, we want to retain the trophies we won last year, keep playing good football, and excite our fans when they come down to watch us.”