Sunderland Ladies' boss opens up on FA Cup return, Kristjaan Speakman talks and the future of her side

That then meant the curtailment of a season in which they were dominating their division, just as the prospect of a return to the top-two tiers of the game was beginning to look like a very realistic prospect.

Some key player departures inevitably followed and another promotion tilt has now been declared null and void.

Not one of these setbacks has been self-enforced.

So with all that in mind, the prospect of preparing for an FA Cup with just five days of preparation after months on the sidelines doesn't seem quite so unsurmountable.

"We've certainly discussed those setbacks as a staff but the players are so positive, and they're so professional," Reay explains.

"They're a credit to themselves really. They've come back with no negativity. It's just all positive and wanting to play football because that's what they love doing. I think they're just grateful to be back doing what they love.

"The key word is the one you mention there, they are so resilient.

"They've overcome barriers both personally and as a team, and they're a credit to themselves with that. I'm proud to coach them and proud to lead them.

"I just hope we can build a good cup run because it would be a reward for all that hard work.

"It's been a difficult season but I think the players are so disciplined, and they've been together for a while now so we're not going to do anything different to any other game really," she adds.

"We'll strip it back a bit really and keep it nice and simple in terms of the gameplan. It's not going to be easy, they've not played 90 minutes for a very long time so I'm expecting a fairly slow-paced game on Sunday. It's exactly the same for Sheffield, so it's not as if we're playing a team in different circumstances.

"We've got a fully fit squad to choose from, though unfortunately Maria Farrugia is in Malta and won't return until next season due to COVID.

"That's totally understandable and we've sorted that with Maria, but other than that we're good to go."

There is a major carrot for Reay's team as they welcome Sheffield FC on Sunday, with two victories (the winner will face Burnley or Fylde in the next round) standing between them and a home clash with Manchester United.

It's a prospect to relish given the challenges of the season to date.

"It's one game at a time but the short-term target is, we would love to host that fourth round tie at the Academy of Light, Manchester United at home," Reay says.

"That's the carrot for us, we pitched ourselves up against Birmingham last season and did ever so well but conceded right at the death.

"It was a very proud day for us, knowing that despite a two-division difference we were competitive.

"Pitching ourselves up against Manchester United would be a good test for us."

The return of Reay's time comes at a time of rising optimism at the club and hopefully, the start of a new era.

Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman told a supporters' collective meeting last week that the new regime wanted to see the team return to the second tier 'as soon as possible', and that the provisions for data and analytics being implemented across the club would be available for Reay.

Meetings between the two have left Reay encouraged, though the Head Coach is also realistic about the road ahead.

As it stands, the FA have said that there will be no promotion to the second tier this summer.

"There's going to be a vision in place and a strategy to achieve it, which is all we want and all we need," Reay says.

"To know that everything is going to be in place for us is all that we can ask.

"I met Kristjaan last week and we had a really good talk.

"I had a catch up with Lee Johnson while I was waiting to speak to Kristjaan as well and the Academy of Light is buzzing, the first team are doing terrific and we want to do our bit in doing the club proud as well, and making sure we get results on the pitch."

Those provisions and that support is key as through the regional talent centre, Reay and her staff have continued to bring through local talent and successfully integrate them.

The platform for the step up to the next level is very clearly there to be built on.

"I'm a big believer in developing youth and that's what we've done in the last couple of years, we're renowned for it through the RTC and bringing people into the senior setup," she says.

"We'll continue doing that and it's similar to what the men have said in terms of the homegrown players being what people what we want to see."

Sunday hopefully marks the start of the next chapter but Reay looks ahead with the calm of hard-earned experience.

"I just try to take things in my stride," she says.

"I try not to worry about things, it's one day at a time and ensuring that everything I do, I do it to the best of my ability

"We just take it day by day and see where we end up.

"Ultimately, we want to be playing at the highest level. It's going to take time and we need to be patient, but we've certainly got the right stepping stones in place in order to achieve that."

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Sunderland AFC coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor