For Bristol born McArthur, who has been working as a post-woman since Fulham downsized from full-time professionalism to semi-pro status 12 months ago, it will be a return to the club where she started her career.

It will also mean a return to full-time football as McArthur will be taking up a post in Bristol City FC’s Academy, at which the club’s young female as well as male players are involved.

The 26 year-old midfielder said: "It’s a wrench to leave Fulham after four good years, but Bristol City made me an excellent offer and it’s tremendous to be coming back home and back into full-time training as well as starting a coaching career.

"I’m really looking forward to it and I certainly don’t feel it’s a backward step for me in a playing sense – the club has got some very good young players and I’ll be aiming to help them become a team that can compete at the top level."

The signing of McArthur, who after her junior years at Bristol City spent four seasons at Southampton Saints before turning professional with Fulham, is a real coup for the Robins says manager Jack Edgar.

The City boss said: "Rachel is the club’s biggest ever signing and she can bring so much to us. She’s been there and done it all, and her experience will be invaluable to us not only in match-play but also on the training ground.

"Rachel will give us the touch of maturity that we would have lacked in the National Division. She’s the only player we’ve got who’s been in the top flight and her game understanding and influence on the team will be crucial.

"I’ve told the players that we’re over the foothills now we’ve reached the National Division but that it’s going to be like climbing Mount Everest to stay there – but with Rachel in the line-up I think we can do it."

McArthur shares her new manager’s confidence. "People won’t think we’ve got much of a chance," she said, "and it certainly won’t be easy – but if we put the effort in and work as a unit I believe we can establish ourselves in the National Division."