Regardless of what happens this weekend, Andy Cook hopes this is just the beginning for his Nottingham Forest Women side.
The Reds clinched the FA Women's National League Cup last weekend with a 3-2 victory over Watford, but there was no time to bask in the glory as attention quickly turned to another huge week for the club. Forest are 90 minutes away from securing the FA WNL Northern Premier Division title ahead of rivals Wolves, provided they beat Stoke City this Sunday.
It's been a relentless campaign and Cook's side are currently level on points with last season's champions Wolves. Goal difference currently separates the two and victory this weekend will take Forest a step closer to history.
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"It's been four years of hard work to get to this point," Cook told Nottinghamshire Live. "We're not there yet, but I suppose from now on it's very much making sure that we kick on and this isn't the end, it's just the start really.
"I think that's probably the key thing for me that this is the start of it. We've managed to get to this point but this is the first step on the ladder. Whatever the outcome of this weekend is, this is now the start of what we want to do and what we want to achieve."
The strength within the third tier of the women's game is growing every season. This year has been no different with another fierce title race in which Forest have won 16 league games so far this term, drawn three and only lost twice. Wolves have matched their results, while Burnley are also in the mix having also lost two, but drawn four.
"You can see how close it is," Cook continued. "Ourselves and Wolves on the same points tally. Burnley are behind and, yeah, you can just see how close it is.
"Teams like Derby, Brighouse, those teams that are just behind us have always been fantastic competitors as well and made it tough. It's been a fantastic season to work and play in."
With goal difference currently separating the top two sides, it's worth noting Forest look far superior in terms of goals scored. If they were to finish level on points this Sunday, it would take a huge swing to sway it in Wolves' favour.
The Reds boss added: "That was something, at the start of the season, we knew we had to score more goals. We were creating a lot of chances last season, but we weren't scoring them and that was the key bit.
"Every year, I've looked at the average of first, second and third place and what the average goals scored is, goals conceded and average points. So, we knew that the average goals scored was 78 goals, which means we needed to get to roughly 78 goals.
"The average goal difference was something like plus twelve. We're now plus 19. I've just looked at the average over the years and so we knew that if we were getting better in those columns, the points total would take care of itself."
Sunday's opponents Stoke City have proven to be challenging opposition for Forest over the years. However, the Reds have come out on top on both occasions they've faced each other this season.
In the reverse league fixture back in November, Cook's side were comfortable 5-0 winners. They also played each other in the second round of the FA WNL Cup and Forest once again came out on top with a 4-2 victory away from home.
"I think it'll be a tough test," the manager added. "Every time we play Stoke, it's tough.
"They're a really good side. I really like everything about them in regards to their staff and the way they go about their business. There's always a huge amount of respect.
"We need to make sure that we're on it on Sunday and that we're focused and ready. We know we need to defend as well as we can, and when we are in possession, can we break fast and create those chances?"
Attendances have been growing for Forest this season and this weekend will be no different as they'll hope for another big crowd to spur them on to a historic victory. The support last Sunday in the cup final was a huge factor in the win, according to Cook.
"It's been key and on Sunday it was huge," the Reds boss said. "We had the Academy boys down as well, I think they brought about 130 of the kids from the academy to the game.
"They were singing all the Forest songs and stuff like that. We could hear them down on the sideline and in the dug out and the players mentioned it as well that they could hear them throughout the game.
"It's crazy how much that can help you and it pushes you on. I spoke about it in my pre-match that if we play on the front foot and get ourselves forward, the crowd will carry them and give them that extra 5%. That's what they did on Sunday and I have no doubt that's what will happen this Sunday as well."
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