Lois, 20, to captain Carrick Ladies

It is a red letter day for the club as not only does 20-year-old Lois become one of the youngest captains to lead the first team for many years, she is also the first of its Junior Club graduates to be promoted to the most sought-after playing role.

“I feel very honoured to have been appointed captain of Carrick Ladies first team,” said Lois. “We’ve had a very intense pre-season training schedule and have also enjoyed a successful programme of pre-season friendlies where the team has gelled well and we’ve generally had fun. I do really believe we’re in good shape to challenge for promotion this season and with this team, and a little bit of luck, there’s no reason at all why this cannot be achieved.”

Carrick Ladies president Peter Stevenson spoke enthusiastically about Lois, both as a player and as captain. “We’re delighted to welcome Lois into her new role as first team captain,” he said, “and we’ve absolutely no doubt she will do an excellent job for the club.

“The fact she only turned twenty last Friday doesn’t cause us any concerns whatsoever as she has always demonstrated a degree of maturity well beyond her years. Indeed having been on our books now for the past eight years, Lois might already be considered something of a seasoned campaigner for Carrick Ladies and she has been a first choice player in every single season she has been with us.”

Lois first featured in the Under-14 squad in 2005 and the following year held down a regular role in the Second XI. In 2007, aged 15, Lois was selected for Carrick’s first team squad and has been a regular ever since.

Peter said: “I’ve lost track of the number of playing awards Lois has picked up over the past eight years, although that’s hardly surprising as she is without doubt the best all-rounder in the club. Apart from goalkeeper, I don’t think there’s a single playing position she hasn’t been asked to fulfil at some time or other when we’ve lost a player due to injury or unavailability. And while she’s now predominantly playing in midfield or central defence Lois is equally capable of producing outstanding performances at full back or up front.”

Meanwhile, 15-year-old Chloe Mitchell scored twice - including a last-minute winner - as Carrick Ladies beat Larne Ladies 4-3 in a friendly at Larne’s Greenland pitch on Saturday.