A TEENAGER from Cumnock has been an integral part to FC Kilmarnock Ladies title winning squad this season.

Midfielder Chloe Ponton, 17, came back to the Ayrshire side after a short spell at Rangers a few years ago and has gone from strength to strength, breaking into the first team earlier in the year.

Her contribution to the side has seen her score spectacular goals – four of which were nominated for the club’s goal of the season – as the team won 19 of their 20 matches to take the SWFL 1 South title and promotion to SWPL 2 at a canter.

Chairman David Howie has been impressed with the teenager and fellow Cumnockian Abby Robinson this season. He said: “Chloe is only 17 and she has been taken under the wing by some of the older players.

“She strikes the ball from 30-40 yards and it generally ends up in the back of the net. She has proved pivotal this season and been a big part of the squad.”

Chloe was delighted with the way the season went, celebrating with her teammates at Rugby Park as they lifted the trophy after a 1-0 win against Boroughmuir Thistle in their last match on November 5.

She said: “It went really well this season. We won the league with four games to go. We kept a lot of clean sheets and scored a lot of goals as well.

“We improved massively on last season when we finished third so it was a really good season this year.

“I like playing for Kilmarnock because you just come together, there’s not really any groups and we work as a team really well.

“We gelled as a team right from the start of the season. It’s challenging because it’s playing against ladies and I’m only 17. I made it into the first team and it’s been a good experience.

“It was amazing to win the league and to finally say we are back up in the premier league. We deserve to be there.”

Kilmarnock were one of the best teams in Scotland in the early 2000s, twice winning the Scottish league championship in 2001-02 and 2002-03 but, following financial troubles, the club spiralled out of the SWPL in 2012.

The players were ecstatic as they returned Kilmarnock to where they believe it should be and Chloe hopes they can stay there.

She said: “Obviously, [the target is] to stay up. I think, at least a top five finish will be the aim. It will be harder in pre-season because we will be playing harder teams so that we can build a stronger team.”

But what does the future hold for a potential star of the future?

“I want to try and stay in the team and do a good job for the team. I want to make an impression before I go to America.

“I’m going to America on a football scholarship, I’ve had quite a few offers but I’m not sure where I’ll go yet.”