| | Arsenal LFC   | |  | | |  | | Web site: http://www.arsenal.com/ladies
Founded: 1987
Nickname: Gunners
Stadium: Boreham Wood FC
Stadium Address: Broughinge Road, Boreham Wood WD6 5AL
League:  FA Women's Premier League National Division (The FA Tesco Women's National Division)
Winner of cup(s):   
History:
Ladies History
Arsenal Ladies FC were formed in 1987 by the women's present General Manager and Men's present kit manager; Vic Akers.
In their 21 year history, 29 major trophies have been won, including 1 Women’s UEFA Cup, 3 domestic Trebles, 10 Premier League Titles, 9 National League Cups and 9 FA Cups, proving that the Ladies team really are the present dominant force in their domestic game.
Arsenal Ladies FC have excellent backing and support from Arsenal Football Club and Clare Wheatley, assisted by Ciara Grant and Faye White, are employed by Arsenal FC solely to develop and co-ordinate the female side of the club. A further 3 senior players also work at the Academy overseeing the youth development of the club.
In the 2006/07 season the Ladies recorded their best ever achievement when they secured the historic Quadruple in their 20th year, making them the first British team to win the UEFA Women’s Cup after they beat Swedish side UMEA who were ranked the best in Europe 1-0 over the two legs.
Last season they followed it up by retaining their Championship crown by successfully defending their league title for a record fifth successive year taking it to seven wins in the last eight years.
They won the FA Cup, taking their tally in that competition to a record nine times, going one better than eight time winners Southampton Saints. However their grasp on the League Cup loosened as they were defeated by Everton LFC.
However this year they will continue to represent England as the Champions in the UFEA Cup for the sixth time in seven years.
The Reserve team is mainly made up from the girls in the Arsenal Youth Academy, which continues to prosper. The Academy is run under the guidance of first team player Kelly Smith and this years newly appointed first team assistant coach Tony Gervaise. First team players Jayne Ludlow and Emma Byrne also joined the Academy as full time staff.
The Arsenal Ladies academy enables players aged between 16 and 19 to combine daily football coaching with academic study. Last season the Reserves ended up runners up in the league and won the Reserves League Cup defeating Chelsea in the Final.
The Ladies Centre of Excellence continues to prosper with each year and the U16’s triumphed in what is an extremely competition league just pipping Leyton Orient to the top spot. This season the Centre of Excellence has a newly appointed Director in John Bayer.
| | | | | | Birmingham City LFC | | | | | | | Web site: http://www.bclfc.com
Founded: 1968
Nickname: The Blues
Stadium: Valley Stadium, Redditch FC
Stadium Address: Bromsgrove Road, Redditch B97 4RN
League: FA Women's Premier League National Division (The FA Tesco Women's National Division)
History:
Birmingham City Ladies FC was formed in 1968 by a group of girl supporters. Friendly games were played locally up until 1970. The late John Lines played an influential part in those early days and the club thanks him and all the players.
In 1970 the Heart of England League was formed. Blues remained in this league until 1973 and due to the restructuring of the league/s later became known as the West Midland Regional League formed in 1974. During this period Birmingham City Ladies won numerous league titles and cups notably in the Seventies and Eighties. To this date Blues remain the only West Midlands team to have reached the WFA Cup semi finals. (73/74 and 87/88 season.)
Grassroots - New Era
In the early nineties Birmingham City Ladies experienced difficult times, moral and confidence was low. It was decided to introduce an Academy for junior teams to become an extension of the club. It would act as a support function in strengthening and creating from within the club`s structure. During this transition period, new and experienced staff members were added to the club structure, and their contribution, experience and skills were instrumental in turning the club around.
In 1998/99 Blues won promotion to the newly formed Combination League and at their first attempt won the league and gained automatic promotion into the National Northern Division. The club continued this fantastic run by winning promotion to the National League after only 2 seasons.
The hard work behind the youth policy started to come to fruition in the early 2000s. Birmingham City Ladies players started to be picked by the England selectors at U19 and U17 levels then Laura Bassett was the first Birmingham City Ladies player to gain full England honours. By 2003 a total of nine of the playing staff were England Internationals at some level, and at the 2003 European U19 Championships in Germany, Birmingham City Ladies provided one third of the squad, more than any other club.
In 2002 Charter Standard was obtained at Junior Level and in 2003 the Club became the first Club in Birmingham County FA to achieve Charter Club Standard at Adult level. The Club was voted FA Charter Standard Club of the Year in 2003.
In 2004 some of the biggest names in Women’s football were brought into the club and in the 2004/2005 season the Senior team finished fourth in the FA Women’s Premier League. Five Birmingham City Ladies players went on to represent England in the Euro 2005 competition with the highlight being Karen Carney’s last minute winner against Finland and her subsequent 10 minute personal interview on Match of the Day.
In 2005 the club’s junior teams joined the inaugural Centre of Excellence league in the Central Warwickshire area.
| | | | | | Blackburn Rovers LFC | | | | | | | Web site: http://www.rovers.co.uk
Founded: 1991
Nickname: Rovers
Stadium: Shawbridge, Clitheroe FC,
Stadium Address: Pendle Road, Clitheroe BB7 1LZ
League: FA Women's Premier League National Division (The FA Tesco Women's National Division)
History:
Formed in 1991, Blackburn Rovers Ladies have enjoyed a glorious rise to the pinnacle of women's football.
Under the supervision of the club's Community Department and the watchful eye of BRFC, the ladies team needed only seven seasons to reach the Northern Combination League.
Following a move to the club's magnificent £20m Brockhall training complex in 2003, Rovers went on to lift the Lancashire Cup and become the first team to win the Northern Combination title with a 100% league record.
Rovers then made a massive impact in their first year of Premier League football, retaining the Lancashire Cup and narrowly missing out on promotion after suffering just three league defeats and ending the season third.
However, an undefeated Rovers set a Northern Division record in 2005-06, wining 20 of their 22 league games and lifting the Lancashire Cup for the third year running, whilst Andy McNally became the first coach from outside the top flight to be named Nationwide Manager of the Year.
Adam Lakeland replaced McNally at the helm in January 2007, as Rovers ended their first ever season of top-flight football in fine form.
Lakeland guided the team to a fourth successive Lancashire Cup, the historic achievement of two successive FA Women's Cup Team of the Round awards, en route to the semi-final stage, and a top-half finish in the National Division table.
Few clubs survive a second season in the top tier, but Rovers ended a mixed campaign (which also included a run to the quarter-finals of the Premier League Cup) in eighth place. They also retained their country crown for the fifth year running.
Blackburn Rovers Ladies - Honours
2003-04
* Northern Combination - winners (with 100% record)
* Lancashire Challenge Cup - winners
2004-05
* Lancashire Challenge Cup - winners
2005-06
* Premier League Northern Division - winners (with unbeaten record)
* Lancashire Challenge Cup - winners
* Nationwide Manager of the Year - Andy McNally
2006-07
* Lancashire Challenge Cup - winners
* FA Women's Cup - Team of the Fifth Round
* FA Women's Cup - Team of the Sixth Round (historic achievement)
2007-08
* Lancashire Challenge Cup - winners
| | | | | | Bristol Academy WFC | | | | | | | Web site: http://www.filton.ac.uk/baos/football_female.php?id=28
Founded: 1998
Nickname: Rovers
Stadium: Oaklands Park
Stadium Address: Gloucester Road, Almondsbury, Bristol BS32 4AG
League: FA Women's Premier League National Division (The FA Tesco Women's National Division)
History:
The Female Football Development Centre (the Female Academy) initiative was one of the UK’s first female academies that offered both football training and academic qualifications specifically for girls aged between 16-19 years old. As one of the elite colleges in the country with Charter Standard status, the Development Centre is the place to be for aspiring footballers in the women’s game.
Bristol Rovers Women’s Football Club was formed as a senior club in 1998 after girls, successively playing up to U16 level, became too old for these age groups. Filton College has been Rovers Women’s most influential partner in the last three seasons, and the change in title to Bristol Academy reflects the continued successful affiliation between the College and club.
| | | | | | Chelsea LFC | | | | | | | | | | | | | Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC | | | | | | | Web site: http://www.doncasterroversbelles.co.uk
Founded: 1969
Nickname: The Belles
Stadium: Keepmoat Stadium
Stadium Address: Stadium Way, Lakeside, Doncaster DN4 5JW
League: FA Women's Premier League National Division (The FA Tesco Women's National Division)
History:
Originally formed in 1969 as the Belle Vue Ladies by young women who were selling draw tickets on the terraces at Doncaster Rovers. They started out by playing local small-sided games but within a short period of time they found they were venturing outside of Doncaster, where the Belle Vue part of the name had no meaning. In 1971 they made their change of name and became Doncaster Belles!
After Championship success in the regional leagues (12 out of 13 in the Notts League and 2 from 2 in the North East League) in addition to many tournaments and Cup successes - the Belles became founder members of the National League in the 1991/92 season - where they completed the League and F.A. Cup double without conceding a game!
In the 7-year history of the National League set-up, Doncaster Belles completed the double once more and in this Championship have finished second four times and third twice.
Last season we finished sixth in the FA Premier League and won the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Cup. The Reserves finished fourth in the Reserve League, while all the junior sides performed well in the West Riding Girls league.
We have just finished a one year sponsorship arrangement with new Doncaster band Silverfall, We are actively searching for a replacement sponsor who will enable us to continue our development at senior level, following a very successful three years under previous sponsors Ben Bailey Homes. Similarly our juniors have secured sponsorship from D.F.S and StoneAcre Chevrolet, which will enable our seven junior teams to compete in the Sheffield and Hallamshire Girls League.
Our junior section having gained Charity status has been the driving force behind progressing charity status for the open age section of our club. We are presently working towards gaining Charter standard.
We worked along side Doncaster Rovers, Doncaster Lakers Rugby Club and Doncaster Council on the development of the new community stadium now used by all three clubs. The new stadium was completed on schedule and within budget in December 2006. This now provides us with a permanent base, the opening home game of the 2008-2009 season being on Pitch 2 against Bristol Academy. We are the only Premier League club to have opportunity’s to play matches in a brand new 15,000-seated community stadium.
The Club continues to have positive links with Balby Carr Sports College to host an academy for girls in the 16-19 age groups. This offers academic studies as well as football training and is intended to produce future qualified coaches to serve the local community and help produce future generations of ‘Belles’ - but more importantly, it will allow greater access to football for girls in Doncaster!
Overall the club continues to grow, keeping pace with the significant growth in women's football and maintaining our position as one of the major forces in the glorious game, further claiming that Doncaster Rovers Belles is the home of women’s football.
| | | | | | Everton LFC | | | | | | | Web site: http://www.evertonfc.com/home
Founded: 1983
Nickname: Toffees
Stadium: Rossett Park, Marine AFC
Stadium Address: College Road, Crosby L23 0RP
League: FA Women's Premier League National Division (The FA Tesco Women's National Division)
History:
The club started life as began life as Hoylake WFC in 1983. They merged with Dolphins YC to become Leasowe, adding Pacific to their title in a sponsorship deal. In 1987/88 they came to l prominence winning the North-West League and reaching the 1988 FA Women's Cup final, losing to Doncaster Belles 3-2. However they were back the following year and this time they beat Fulham, this time on the right end of a 3-2 scoreline. By 1991/92 they had won their regional league five years running, and when a regular national competition started the next season they were admitted to division one north and promptly finished top to join the FA Women's Premier League.
In 1995 the club became known as Everton Ladies and continued to make their mark. In 1997 they reached the final of the Premier League Cup only to lose to Millwall Lionesses 1-2. The following year, however, Everton Ladies were crowned National Premier League Champions which is their biggest success to date.
In 1999 the club again lost in the League Cup final, 1-3 to Arsenal Ladies, and in 2005 reached the FA Women's Cup final only to lose 0-1 to Charlton Athletic after a disappointing display. Still, revenge of sorts came two years later when Everton pipped Charlton to second place in the Premier League, which as champions Arsenal had already won the European Cup meant a European debut for the Toffees in 2007/08.
The ladies' first foray into UEFA competition was to end in disappointment however. Despite beating Valur Reykjavík 3-1 in their final group game, Everton only finished third and failed to progress into the Quarter-finals amidst much controversy
| | | | | | Leeds Carnegie LFC | | | | | | | Web site: http://www.leedscarnegieladies.com
Founded: 1989
Nickname: Leeds
Stadium: The Park, Tadcaster Albion FC
Stadium Address: Ings Lane, Tadcaster LS24 9AY
League: FA Women's Premier League National Division (The FA Tesco Women's National Division)
History:
Leeds Carnegie Ladies FC is the new name for a club with a proud history as a major English ladies football club.
Formed in 1989 as Leeds United Ladies, the club is now a self-funded independant amateur club with its own committee for the day to day running of the club. The first team play in the FA Women’s National Premier League as well as having a reserve team playing in the FA Women’s National Premier Northern Reserve League.
To encourage the growth of women’s football, we also have a development team, the Leeds Carnegie Development team, which plays in the North-East Regional Women’s Premier League.
Our new partnership with Leeds Metropolitan University gives the club access to unrivalled sports facilities and back-up support to help the club push forward and build on last season’s FA Women’s Cup Final appearance and third place in the League.
Over the summer of 2007 the youth teams amalgamated with the Leeds United Girls Centre of Excellence to form one organisation that feeds into the open age teams of Leeds Carnegie Ladies.
The new structure will enable better player development through more coaching and matches against similar standard players from other Centres of Excellence through a new league structure. It is hoped that this way we will see more local players progressing through into the Leeds Carnegie Ladies first team and gaining international honours.
The club has five members of the first squad that have progressed through from the youth teams and it is hoped there will be an influx every year.
After seven years playing in the Yorkshire & Humberside league, the season 1997/98 saw the first team gain promotion to the AXA FA Northern Premier League. After consolidating and adjusting to National league football for a couple of seasons they then achieved promotion as champions of the Northern Premier League, the same season also saw them play in the semi finals of the Women’s FA Cup for the first time. They then gained promotion in 2001/02 to the FA National League where they finished a very credible fourth.
2003/2004 saw a new manager—Julie Chipchase—and the team once again finished in fourth place, the highest placed team outside London. In 2004/05 the team finished in fifth place, while 2005/06 saw the team achieve its first appearance in the Women’s FA Cup final.
Season 2006/07 was an up and down season with Leeds topping the table over the Christmas period and getting through to the Premier League Cup Final, when they narrowly lost 1-0 in the 90th minute against Arsenal, eventually finishing fifth in the league.
Rick Passmoor and Leanne Hall were appointed Manager and Assistant Manager in July 2007. The new management team brought in new signings including Steph Houghton, Carly Telford, Katie Holtham, Georgie Adams, Jade Moore and Carly Ward.
Rick and Leanne’s first season was also the first with Leeds Metropolitan University, bringing in players such as Emma Higgins and Ashley Hutton from Northern Ireland, and culminating in a second FA Cup Final appearance and third in the league.
Honours
FA Women’s Premier League Northern Division
Champions 2000-01
FA Women’s Cup
Runners-up 2005-06
Runners-up 2007-08
FA Women’s Premier League Cup
Runners-up 2006-07
| | | | | | Liverpool LFC | | | | | | | Web site: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/ladies
Founded: 1991
Nickname: The Reds
Stadium: Ashley Travel Stadium, Skelmersdale FC
Stadium Address: Selby Place, Off Stratham Road, Skelmersdale WN8 8EF
League: FA Women's Premier League National Division (The FA Tesco Women's National Division)
History:
The club was originally called Newton Ladies, though this had become Knowsley WFC by the time they entered the first National League in 1991.
They ended the inaugural season in fourth and, strengthened by the arrival of several England internationals, the team went to Wembley in 1993, losing to Arsenal in the League Cup final.
In 1994-95 the club was revolutionised, coming under the LFC banner for the first time and receiving full financial support from Anfield.
It was quite a first year for the newly established Liverpool FC Ladies. Not only were they runners-up in the league - still their highest ever finish - they also reached the FA Cup final, losing 3-2 to Arsenal.
More cup final heartache followed in 1995-96 when the Reds lost to Croydon on penalties.
Unfortunately the club failed to capitalise on their success and, after several mid-table finishes, were relegated to the Premier League Northern Division in 2001.
The introduction of youth and reserve level sides helped put the ladies back on track, however, and in 2003-04 they bounced back into the top flight after an entire season unbeaten.
The icing on the cake came with victory over Everton in the first ever Liverpool County Cup final. To celebrate, the girls embarked on a summer tour of Singapore.
It all boded well for the campaign to come, though it soon became clear that LFC Ladies still had work to do if they were to re-establish themselves as one of English football's elite. Just two wins in 18 games meant they were back in the North Division.
Relegation spelt the end for manager John Williams after three years at the helm.
Keith Cliffe was the man to take charge and the Reds set out on the 2005-06 season with renewed optimism. A second place finish behind unbeaten Blackburn ensured a play off against Chelsea, who came second bottom in the National Division. Sadly, after a 1-1 draw at home, they were beaten 3-0 in London.
Still, the new regime promised much, and in 2006-07 it delivered as LFC Ladies won the Northern Division. It came after a run of 12 wins from 13 matches to overturn Lincoln City's seemingly impregnable lead at the top.
After leading the club back into the Premier League, Cliffe decided to call it a day, handing over the reins to David Bradley.
On taking over, Bradley pledged: "No one is more obsessed with moving this club forward than me. I see the players as the most important part of the club and I want them to feel that way”.
| | | | | | Nottingham Forest LFC | | | | | | | Web site: http://www.nflfc.co.uk/
Founded: 1972
Stadium: Bill Stokeld Stadium
Stadium Address: Carlton Town FC, Stoke Lane, Nottingham NG4 2QS
League: FA Women's Premier League National Division (The FA Tesco Women's National Division) 
History:
The 1970s
The earliest known Forest Ladies Team competed in the Notts and Derby League in the early 1970s.
In 1972/73 they became the first to complete the "Grand Triple" winning the League Championship, the League Knock Out Cup and the League Charity Cup. They were undefeated in 18 games, scored 76 goals, Karen Dawson accounting for 42 of them, and Leslie Haynes, the goalie was awarded "Player of the Season".
Audrey Rigby from this team has been in touch recently from her home in New Zealand. She went on to play in the NZ National Side and became a top coach down under.
The 1980s
The Norwegian Branch of the Nottingham Forest Supporters Club sent a photograph of a team that was around in the 1980s.
Year 1990
After a 12 week training course at the City Ground, a small group of young women advertised for more players in the Forest vs Everton matchday programme. From this the current Forest Ladies Club was formed. Dave Thompson of the Forest Centre of Excellence became their first manager and secretary.
Early/mid 1990s
During the decade they achieved promotion to the First Division only to be relegated back to Division Two after two seasons. They reached the semi-final of the League Cup and took a 3-0 lead against Derby City before suffering defeat at 5-4.
They returned to the First Division and achieved as high as 6th place before it was changed to the Premier Division.
Dave Thompson moved on to become a successful scout with Chesterfield FC.
A sponsorship arrangement was made with Coldseal.
Year 1996
Donna Hilton and Lisa Dawkins, players from the original 1990 side, continued to play while setting up a Forest Ladies Junior Section. They began in season 1996/97 with an Under 12 and an Under 14 team. Help was provided by the City Council, in particular by Ian Hands and Sarah Colbeck, under their "No Limits" support scheme. This was the start of a very long and rewarding relationship with the Council which has continued and strengthened.
The Club name was changed to Nottingham Forest Ladies and Junior Girls Football Club, a bit of a mouthful, hence the subsequent reversion back to the original name.
Season 1996/97
The new Under 12s finished in Runners Up spot, a magnificent achievement in their first season. They also took their division?s Sportsmanship Award, won at the Calverton Tournament and achieved Runners Up at West Bridgford.
Donna Hilton takes on the role as Junior Section Manager.
Season 1997/98
The Under 12s went on to win the League Championship.
Both Donna Hilton and Angie Smith received all three varieties of their Player of the Season awards for their respective teams. This had never happened before. All player awards for the season were presented by Mark Crossley.
Many of our junior players join the County Representative Squads and Centres of Excellence and we have continued to have good numbers in those squads ever since.
Forest coaches, including Donna Hilton, take on the main coaching role at Powerleagues Soccercentre.
January 1998
The Club's first web site is launched under the "Rednet" banner with a promotional article in On The Ball, the glossy women's football magazine.
Shortly after, the "Scoremail" email and web based results and information service is launched with a "Rednet" tag reflecting the Club's involvement in its launch and upkeep.
Easter 1998
Under 14s win the Easter and Spring Festival at Hemsby and also take the Fair Play Award.
Summer 1998
Forest Ladies organised their first Junior Girls' Tournament, the Trentside Trophy, with trophies and support from Nestle. With only six weeks to organise from scratch it included 30 5-a-side teams including some big names such as Everton. It also featured a celebrity presentation with Tina Russell from Channel 5's Family Affairs and Ketil, Chairman of the Scandinavian branch of the Foret Supporters Club.
Season 1998/99
A new Under 10s Team was formed.
A new Reserves Team was formed.
Summer 1999
Under 12s win at the Rotherham Tournament.
A new kit for the First Team is provided by Pinnacle.
Donna Hilton was awarded the highly coveted Midlands FA/Umbro Regional Coach of the Year Award, mainly for helping to set up the Club and the Juniors section. The formal presentation took place at Leicester City but she was also presented at the City Ground.
Season 1999/00
In only their second season, the Under 10s competed in two league competitions and won both of them. The team was awarded a presentation and lap of honour at the City Ground.
The Under 14s won their league title and knock-out cup.
The First Team became winners of their Premiership Knock Out Cup after defeating Loughborough Students on penalties.
An Under 13s side was formed.
Issue 1 of the Club's Newsletter was distributed.
NFLFC adopted Mill Street Playing Fields, the home of Basford United, as its main home ground and training venue for all teams.
Summer 2000
Player awards for the season were presented by Frank Winfield.
Forest Ladies featured as "Club of the Month" in On The Ball, the glossy women's football magazine.
Forest Ladies join with Fay Glover in the running of the Victoria Trophy in its 19th glorious year.
Pinnacle replaced an Under 10s kit that had been lost in a car theft.
Three junior teams won their respective age groups at the Cotgrave Tournament and we also had a Runners Up.
At the AGM the Club agreed to gear up for the top FA Charter Standards award which was then the Development Standard, Level 2. We also agreed to work with BUFC on a joint application to upgrade pavilion buildings providing we could negotiate a lease extension.
Season 2000/01
Last season's successful Under 10s moved up to Under 11 and achieved the League Runners Up spot. A new Under 10s Team was formed and went on to win their league competition.
The Under 12s finished Runners Up. The Under 14s moved up to Under 17 and won their League and Cup competitions. A new U14s is formed and they attain the Sportsmanship award. Three of our teams, U10 vs Gedling, U11 vs Sherwood Lions and U17 vs Welbeck all won cup finals on 22nd April.
The Women's First team finished third in the league and were again victorious in their Premiership Cup beating Lincoln City. Lincoln, however, won promotion to the Midlands Combination and have since moved up to the Northern Premiership.
A new team, Nottingham Forest Medics, was formed made up entirely of medical students from Queens Medical Centre. They suffered some heavy defeats but began to improve towards the end of the season. Unfortunately the season overran and they were unable to complete their fixtures due to players moving away from Notts at the end of term.
Summer 2001
Lisa Dawkins and Catherine Lawson take part in a GoTalk TV commercial with Gabby Yorath. Lisa Dawkins took over from Ernie Johnson as Club Chair and Ernie became an "unofficial Club President".
July 2001
The Victoria Trophy was expanded to include over 130 teams including Under 10s. Both the women's team and the Under 12s were victorious, the first time in 20 years that Forest Ladies had come away with winners trophies from the event (the U12s achieved Runners Up in 1997). Overseas teams (3 from Texas) were featured for the first time.
Season 2001/02
Under 10s players moved up to Under 11s and again won the League Championship. Two Under 12s teams formed and they finished Champions and Runners Up respectively. An Under 13s Team was formed that finished a creditable third in their first season. A new Under 16s Team competed in one League as Under 16 for the first half of the season. They then went on to compete against Under 16s and Under 18s in the second half. Incredibly, they won both competitions.
For the second season running we had three cup winners on a single day, 28th April - U11s vs West Bridgford, U12s vs Wilford Mavericks and U13s vs Rise Park.
The First Team reached the finals of the County Cup but went down 2-1 to Chaffoteaux. The Reserves finished Runners Up in Division 1 but were unable to win promotion as our First Team already occupied a spot in the higher division.
No fewer than eight of our players are selected for the County U16 Rep Squad.
25th November was a memorable day for the club in that five of our teams (U11,U12 Blue, U12 Yellow, U13 and Women's First team) were victorious in cup ties with a combined score of 36-2.
Catherine Lawson is called up to represent England at Under 18 and competes in Ireland and at other venues
January 2002
A joint NFLFC/BUFC presentation is made to the FA, City Council, County Council and Football Foundation. The main feature is an outline proposal for a new or refurbished pavilion at Greenwich Avenue. Between them Lauren Cresswell and Sophie Digva reached a total tally of 300 goals in mainstream competitions playing together in the U10s, U11s and U12s.
Spring 2002
A new Constitution was formulated and accepted with 100% of those voting being in favour. The main theme was One Player-One Vote but reference was also made to new policies covering health and safety, player development, publicity, child protection and an extensive code of conduct. A new five-year development plan was also adopted by the Committee.
Part of the reason for the new constitution was to obtain the top Charter Standard which had now become a condition of moving forward with a bid to the Football Foundation for funding for a new pavilion.
Lea Cobham is called up to the England U16s. Unfortunately for the Club, at the end of the season, Lea left Forest Ladies to play for Lincoln City.
Summer 2002
The City Council's Girls' Festival of Football is merged into the Victoria Trophy. An Awards for All grant of £5,000, City Council, FA and County Council backing was provided and for the first time the tournament finished in surplus to help stage future events. The event is described as the Jubilee Victoria Trophy and with the extra resources it expanded to include 210 teams playing some 700 ten minute 5-a-side games.
A helicopter was sponsored for the club to take aerial photos of the Mill Street Ground and surrounding area to help with a new sponsorship campaign and the bid for upgrading facilities.
NFLFC officials are heavily involved in setting up the new Notts Girls and Ladies League including obtaining a maximum Awards for All grant.
Dave Evans took over from Lisa Dawkins as Club Chair leaving Lisa free to concentrate on a new role as First Team Player/Manager.
Donna Hilton retired from the Club to concentrate on her increasing vocational role. Apart from playing, Donna was a founder of the Club and had taken on numerous mainstream roles over 12 years including highly successful junior section management. She received a retirement gift and the Clubs annual award for exceptional service.
Autumn 2002
The first meetings of the NFLFC/BUFC Umbrella Committee take place with the first priority being the joint application for FA Charter Standards. The Committee will go on to develop and promote refurbishment and new building projects as well as oversee the daily upkeep of the home ground.
Ellis Guilford School obtains Sports College recognition and Forest Ladies takes up their offer to use training facilities including their two new all weather surfaces.
New sponsorship arrangements are adopted including Sublime Services, CMB Plumbing and Heating and Mobile Training Technology.
November 2002
A new U11s Mixed Recreational Mini Soccer club is formed on Saturday mornings at Ellis Guilford. This is jointly run by NFLFC and BUFC with help from New College Nottingham.
December 2002
In conjunction with Basford United FC, our home ground hosts, NFLFC is awarded the FA Charter Standards Community Club Award, the highest of the three Charter Standard levels. The Award was presented to Colleen Mulvany, Club Secretary and Dave Evans, Club Chairman at the City Ground on 21st December just before kick off in a game between Forest and Reading.
Following certain training courses, NFLFC helps to run a first taster training session for disability football. About ten girls took part at Manning School.
Five NFLFC members signed up to the EEC/County Council Sport Direct "buddy" scheme to accompany disabled coaches on training courses
During 2002, NFLFC also instigated, as part of the Charter Community Standard, a NEW SPECIAL NEEDS FOOTBALL GROUP who played a major part in the launch of a new £200,000 disability football programme when they played a game at half time at meadow lane.
Again the Forest Ladies and Nottingham City Council Victoria Trophy was a huge
Success with the event attracting over 200 teams from around the UK.
A new committee was elected at the Club A.G.M in June 2003 and the existing Chairman stepped aside for P.J Andrews to assume the role of Club Chairperson. P.J (Paula) Andrews had had a long history with Forest Ladies since starting as a player in 1990. During this time P.J has also contributed to various initiatives and fund raising events including Presentation Evenings, Raffles and Team Building . P.J had won silverware with the 1st Team in Cup Finals and Promotion Titles and has been team and Club Captain for both the 1st Team and Senior Reserves. P.J also was instrumental in the negotiation process with Lisa Dawkins in gaining sponsorship from Coldseal and P.J also introduced the Forest Ladies Club branding on merchandise, which has continued on to this day.
2002/2003 Club Results
UNDER 10'S (MANAGER, MARK BROWN)
Runners up in the league, Runners up in the cup final
U12'S WHITE (MANAGER, RUSSELL (BERNIE) BOULTBY)
Champions - won the under 12 blue league championship.
UNDER 12 RED (MANAGER, SCOTT CUNNINGHAM)
Champions and cup winners
UNDER 14B (MANAGER - GARY CRESSWELL)
Runners up in the league and cup
UNDER 14A (MANAGER, RICHARD MARSHALL)
Finished in a strong top four in a high quality league.
RESERVES (MANAGER - CATH JONES)
League runners up - promoted. Runners up in cup
FLAGSHIP 1 ST TEAM (MANAGER LISA DAWKINS, ASSISTANT MGR ALAN BIRD, COACH - ANDREW MILLER)
Champions, (Unison East Midlands league) and Cup final runners up twice.
2003/2004
During the closed season between June and September 2003 the new committee initiated contact with NFFC and presented the Forest Ladies aspirations and ambitions to both NFFC and their sponsor, Capital One. This was the start of a much closer liaison with all parties that has since blossomed with many benefits for Forest Ladies.
By September 2003, every team within Forest Ladies were fully kitted out in both the home and away replicre kits courtesy of Capital One. In addition, and driven, in particular by P.J, all Team Manager's were fully kitted out in Coach Wear ensuring that each member of NFLFC looked professional in promoting the Forest, Capital One and Forest Ladies Brands.
This alleviated funds, put aside for new kits, to be utilised for other club initiatives and the effect of such had a positive motivational effect on the club, hence such a successful season for all teams on the pitch also.
U10's - League Champions (Manager - Ketan Patel)
U11B - 4th in the League (Manager - Rachael Evans)
U11A - League Runners Up, Cup Finalist Runners Up (Manager, Mark Brown)
U13's - League Champions, Cup Finalist Runners Up - (Manager - Russell Boultby)
Under 14's - League Runners Up - (Manager - Scott Cunningham)
Under 15's - League Champions, League Cup Winners, Skegness Cup Winners (Manager - Gary Cresswell)
Under 16's - League Champions (Manager - Richard Marshall)
Reserves - 6th in League - (highest ranked Reserve Side in the East Midlands ) (Manager - Cath Jones)
1 st Team - Joint 1 st in Midlands Combinations (Runners up on Goal Difference), County Cup Winners, National FA Womens Cup Quarter Finalists (Manager, Lisa Dawkins)
2004/2005
The Club continues to build on the support given by NFFC and Capital one and the committee negotiates support and the co-ordination of the first trip away as part of their pre-season preparations.
The club appoints Dave Regis (ex Notts County player and awaiting A Licence assessment) to support and coach the 1st Team squad. And Mark Brown moves up to assist Lisa Dawkins in the Management roles.
The 1st Team squad and Backroom staff travel to Washington D.C with the Mens Team and stay for a 5 day tour including two games vs. the world renowned Washington Freedom Ladies Team. In searing the heat at the 60,000 capacity D.C United Stadium the 1 st Team lost 8-0 vs. the Freedom who are probably one of the best league teams in the world. The second game gave Forest a chance to get on the score sheet and Dani Duffy scored consolatory goal as the girls again got beat by 7-1. The experience, however, including some great team building was instrumental in the success of the 1 st team for the rest of the season.
The Victoria Trophy was deemed to be one of the best ever in closer links with Nottingham City Council with over 250 teams entering.
At the end of the season, and with various changes in personnel and players across the whole club, there was a mixed bag of results on the field of play:
CLUB ACHIEVEMENTS
UNDER 11'S - RUNNERS UP OUT OF 9 TEAMS
Also Divisional Sportsmanship award voted by opponents.
(Manager - Ash Nehra)
UNDER 12's RED - 7 th Out of 14
(Manager - Nigel Wildgust)
UNDER 12's WHITE - 13 th out of 14
(Manager - Hedley Saunderson (took over from Rachael Evans halfway through the season)
UNDER 14'S RED - CHAMPIONS Out of 13
(Manager - Calvin Thomas)
UNDER 14's WHITE - 9 th Out of 13
(Manager - Keith Taylor)
UNDER 16'S - 4 TH OUT OF 11
(Manager - Chris Rossington)
SENIOR RESERVES - 3 RD OUT OF 9
(Manager - Gary Cresswell)
1 ST TEAM - CHAMPIONS OUT OF 12
(Manager - Lisa Dawkins)
Most significantly is the result of the 1 st Team who finally get promoted to the National Northern Premier League. From small acorns grow trees as they say, and the destiny of the club is always susceptible to change (both for the better or the worse) but for now the club prepares across all age groups to develop and maintain continually high standards and build further to progress to the top flight. The promotion to the Northern Premier is a superb achievement for all concerned and one to be proud of for all associated with NFLFC. However, whilst there continues to be a constant struggle in attracting sponsors to help finance the ambition of the club, the future will always be uncertain. In the meantime, NFLFC, will do as it always has done, and pull on its great club and team spirit to push forward, and in current pre-season preparations the outlook is positive...... Bring on the 2005/2006 season
| | | | | | Watford LFC | | | | | | | Web site: http://www.watfordladiesfc.com
Founded: 1970
Stadium: Bellmount, Sun Postal FC
Stadium Address: Wood Avenue, Watford WD1 3BN
League: FA Women's Premier League National Division (The FA Tesco Women's National Division)
History:
WATFORD LADIES F.C. in its present form is the result of a merger between Watford Ladies F.C and Watford Town Girls F.C.
Watford Ladies F.C. was formed in 1970, following a number of letters received by Watford F.C. to start a ladies football team from within the supporters club. Whereupon Committee member Doug Hewish agreed to get things started and advertisements were circulated for any interested players to attend a meeting.
The first meeting took place at Watford Fields Junior School and over 40 girls attended. It was agreed trials would be held at Cassiobury Park, which brought forth a team of 18 players, to be managed by Doug Hewish, and trained by John Williams and Mike Walker.
Originally, the club was known as the Supporters Club Ladies Team, but later became known as "Willy Walker Wonders" after the 2 coaches. Following the departure of John Williams, the name changed again to "Walkers Watford Wonders", and after Mike Walker’s departure, to its present name, Watford Ladies F.C. The club performed extremely well in its formative years, and was fortunate to exist during the early years of organised ladies league football.
Watford Town Girls F.C. in May was formed in 1991 by Stephan Small. The club was originally called Watford & Harrow Girls F.C. and following an advertisement in the Watford Observer, five girls attended the first training session held in Cassiobury Park. With a borrowed kit they entered a 5 a side competition and finished as runners up. This small success was highlighted in the local paper and brought forth a number of new players. By the end of that summer the club had enough players to join the Brent Girls 11 a side League for Season 91/92.
However with the club name incorporating two different towns, they struggled to gain support from the local press and local authorities. Therefore in 1992 the club was renamed Watford Girls F.C. The change of name had the desired effect and support was forthcoming from both Watford Borough Council and the Watford Observer in the form of publicity.
By 1992 the club had grown to a membership of 30 girls and was able to enter two 11 a side teams at U12s & U14s into the league. However, in 1993 the club was again forced to change its name, due to an objection from Watford Ladies F.C. who complained that people would confuse Watford Girls F.C. with a junior section of their club, henceforth the club was re-named Watford Town Girls F.C.
Although the club was achieving great success on the pitch, it was still far behind its competitors in terms of kit, equipment and pitch facilities. In 1994 the parents & management decided to undertake work at Wembley Stadium, in order to raise money to purchase the clubs first kit and for indoor training facilities. Contact was made with various local Councillors to attempt to gain some support for facilities within the Borough of Watford, and eventually the Director of Leisure at Watford Borough Council decided to investigate the clubs plight. A site was recognised as being ideal for the clubs needs, however finance was required to provide the correct facilities and this was achieved in the form of a successful Lottery bid.
The club membership by 1997, had risen to over 70 girls, many of whom were too old to play youth football and it was decided to move the club into ladies football. In order to achieve this, a partnership was sought with a club able to compete at a senior level. This was found, ironically, with Watford Ladies F.C. and the two clubs agreed to merge, adopting the older club name.
In 2002, Watford Ladies F.C. realised that the final plans for the site identified as its home ground would not be financially viable. Along with Watford Borough Council, the club sought a solution to finding a home. This was found with Sun Postal Sports and Social Club, who were undergoing a major redevelopment of their Bellmount Wood Avenue ground. The then Chairman, Eric Wood-Thompson, negotiated an agreement to the benefit of both clubs and the development was completed in September 2003, allowing Watford Ladies to have a home ground for the first time.
Under Co-managers Darren Ward and Paul Tarver, the Ladies 1st Team won promotion in 2003 to the FA Nationwide Women's Premier League - Southern Division and finished fifth in its first season of top flight football in 2004. The team narrowly escaped relegation in 2005 and in 2006 just lost out on promotion, finishing in third place.
A change of management in 2006 saw the appointment of Sian Williams, the former Arsenal, Charlton and England player as Manager, who along with Coach Matt Ward took the team to new heights by gaining promotion to the FA Nationwide Women's Premier League - National Division, having won the Southern Division title by 10 points and only losing three games all season.
The club was awarded Charter Standard Club status in 2004 and has continued it's growth to provide football for girls of all ages from 6 upwards. In the autumn of 2006 a link was established with Watford FC through it's Community, Sports and Education Trust. A partnership agreement was signed by both clubs giving Watford Ladies their first support from the men's club since the 1970's.
These honours reflect the clubs status as the leading women’s football club in Hertfordshire.
| | | | | | WFC Fulham | | | | | | | Web site: http://fulhamwfc.synthasite.com/
Founded: 1993, folded 2006, re-formed 2006
Nickname: The Cottagers
Stadium: The Gore
Stadium Address: Burnham Football Club, Wymers Wood Road, Burnham SL1 8JG
League: FA Women's Premier League National Division (The FA Tesco Women's National Division)
History:
Their debut came in 1993 in the Greater London Division, and quickly rose to the heights of the FA Women's National Premier League, via the Greater London Premier Division, the South East Combination League and the Southern Premier League. They first reached the FA Women's Cup final in 2001.
In the 2001/02 season, where they won promotion to the Premiership, they also won the London County Cup, the Premier League Cup and the FA Women's Cup, scoring 342 goals in an amazing season, conceding just 15. This was their first season as a Professional team.
They won the treble of FA Cup, League Cup and Premier League in 2002/03, scoring 68 goals and conceding just 13. Last season they were the only English team to compete in the UEFA Women's European Cup, and they came 2nd in the Premier League.
During the 2005–2006 season, having lost most of their squad to a variety of factors (such as the choice to revert to semi-professional status), they struggled in the league, finishing eighth.
On May 16, 2006, Fulham announced that they were withdrawing the team from the Women's Premiership and discontinuing the team altogether. The decision to dissolve the team was made on financial grounds, with Fulham officially laying the blame on a poor media coverage and poor league attendance. Fulham F.C. did announce plans to continue its Girls Development Centre, but clearly stated they would not be fielding any further league teams in the foreseeable future.
Following the withdrawal of the funding of the Ladies, Fulham Football Club agreed to allow club officers, parents and players to take over the reins in order that the team could continue playing at the highest level of women's football - the Women's Premier League. The same fate had befallen several other ladies teams in recent years. As there is now no connection with Fulham FC, it was decided to alter the club's name to Fulham WFC and then WFC Fulham, in order to make this separation clear.
The new committee was presented with a number of difficult problems to solve. Fortunately, with much hard work, these were overcome and in a very short space of time, the new committee moved mountains and obtained the following:
Funding via generous donations and sponsorships;
FA and Surrey County FA affiliations;
A home ground at Burnham FC;
A back-up ground at Marlow FC;
A reserve team pitch at Burnham Grammar School;
Training facilities at the Kingsmeadow Athletics Stadium, Kingston;
A fully staffed management team of first and reserve team coaches and physiotherapists, a director of football and a fitness coach (with the availability of a performance analyst, nutritionist and sports psychologist if required);
A squad of 40 players for the two teams;
Mini-bus transport for first team and reserve away games;
Playing, match day and training kits and equipment;
A programme for all home games;
A club website at www.fulhamwfc.com
Season 2006 -2007 saw the club survive albeit with the expected relegation of the first team from the National Division but with the bonus of a county cup final appearance. With the confirmation of a first class 'footballing package' for season 2007-2008 (see above), the committee is hopeful that the new season will not only be one of consolidation but also of success on the pitch for both teams
| | | |
|
|
