The Southern United head coach has not won an opening game since he arrived four years ago — lost two, one draw — and would love to open 2025 with a bang.
He did, however, lead them to the final in 2023 — they lost only their opener and the final that season — and if the early buzz around the squad is anything to go off, good things could be on the horizon.
"We just want to replicate 2023 and win the final," Ridley said.
"I think going off 2023’s preseason, leading into it I’ve got a similar feeling, if not a better feeling.
"I’ve got a great group of girls and we’ll hopefully go do the business."
Ridley has named a 26-player squad for the season, featuring players from Dunedin City Royals, Roslyn-Wakari, University and further afield.
Several players from last year are unavailable, but there is still a strong spine in Rose Morton, who will captain the side, Hannah Mackay-Wright, Lauren Paterson, Toni Power, Abby Rankin, Amy Hislop, Raegan Potter and Kelsey Kennard.
"When you’ve got players that understand the system you want to run, they’ve played at that level for quite a long time ... nothing’s sort of new to them, which is good.
"But we have a number of new players that haven’t played National League before ... and they’re starting to realise that the intensity is completely different to the South Island League."
Among the newcomers is University’s Georgia Nixon, who returned to football this season after a long layoff.
"She’s at a level where she’s come in and just fit in perfectly.
"Technically, and as football goes, she’s very good. One to watch there," Ridley said.
Southern United under-18 captain Morgan McCormick (Roslyn) did not look out of place training with the top team and will get her chance during the season.
Australian Georgia Keen, who will miss the first game, returns for her second stint from the Gold Coast Knights after impressing last season.
She will be joined by United States footballers Mackenzie Rastatter (Grambling State University) and Emma Vane (UC Davis)
Ridley did a lot of research into Rastatter, a defender, and Vane, an attacking midfielder, watching game tapes to make sure they were the right fit.
"They’re great additions for us. For me, they have to be a the right people first," Ridley said.
Southern United get their season under way tomorrow when they are home to Wellington Phoenix Reserves at Logan Park.
The Phoenix Reserves are without at least 10 players who are playing at an under-19 tournament.
That means they will either be fielding players from their under-18 programme or several of their new A-League signings could get a run.
Either way, Southern United will be prepared for whoever they come up against.
"We’ll prepare for an A-League side.
"I mean, wouldn’t it be great to beat a team, a professional club that drops professional players?
"Hopefully [we] pull it out of the bag this weekend."
In the other games, Petone — who replace Waterside Karori this season — host West Coast Rangers, Auckland United meet Canterbury United Pride, Central play Eastern Suburbs, and Western Springs are home to Wellington United.
Southern United
The squad
Lauren Paterson, Kate Hannay, Hannah Mackay-Wright, Kelsey Kennard, Toni Power, Mackenzie Rastatter, Gracie Va’afusuaga, Madi McLean, Rose Morton, Amelie East-Giles, Emma Vane, Abby Rankin, Florence Macintyre, Raegan Potter, Amy Hislop, Nieve Collin, Georgia Nixon, Zara Pratley, Georgia Keen, Keira Pettefar, Morgan Maccormick, Charlotte Grey, Maeve Pope, Sophia Body, Charlotte Summers, Lucy Dermody.
