Newcastle United W.F.C.

Summary

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Newcastle United Women's Football Club is a professional English women's football club, affiliated with Newcastle United F.C. They were founded in 1989 and are based at the Newcastle United Academy Training Centre, Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne, and play their home matches at Kingston Park, Kingston Park, Newcastle upon Tyne. They are currently members of the FA Women's National League North.

Newcastle United Women
Full nameNewcastle United Women's Football Club
Nickname(s)The Magpies
Founded1989
GroundKingston Park, Kingston Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
Capacity10,200
OwnersPublic Investment Fund (80%)
RB Sports & Media (14%)
PCP Capital Partners (6%)[1]
ManagerBecky Langley
LeagueFA Women's National League North
2021–22FA Women's National League Division One North, 1st of 12 (promoted)
WebsiteClub website

In the summer of 2016, they became officially affiliated with Newcastle United F.C, operating independently with the support of the Newcastle United Foundation. In August 2022, restructuring meant that the women's team was brought under the complete ownership of Newcastle United, with plans to transition to full-time football.[2]

History edit

In 1989, Newcastle United W.F.C. was formed. In 1996, the team played at Wembley, prior to the Newcastle men's team vs Manchester United FA Charity Shield match as a curtain raiser, the team played Manchester United, losing 2–0.

In 1999, the club achieved promotion to the Northern Combination Women's Football League from the NWRFL and also won the league cup. The club continued to grow creating youth set up based at University of Northumbria.

During 2001, the club was well established in the top half of the Northern Combination League, and through its partnership with Newcastle City Council's Football Development Scheme, a five-year plan was put in place in August to reach the FA Women's Premier League. Those five years have seen the club achieve major success on and off the field, winning the Northumberland FA Senior Cup on a record five consecutive occasions.

The club became a major force in women's football running teams from Under 10s, U12s, U13s, U14s, and three open age squads with over 120 club members. During 2003–04 season they finished runners up behind Stockport County in the Northern Combination League. In 2004, the club ventured into European competition entering the Lloret Cup, Barcelona, won the competition and also the fair play award. The club has also played in the MIC in Barcelona against International players from Mexico, Spain and Sweden.

The club was recognised by The Football Association for good practice and coach development and won the FA Charter Standard Award.

Following a Northern Combination League runners up spot behind Stockport County in 2003, the club gained promotion to the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division on the back of the league's best defensive record of only conceding 16 goals in 18 games. In May the club was recognised for its achievements and was given a civic reception to mark the occasion of being presented with the League Trophy and NFA Senior Cup. In June, to the delight of all members past and present, the club was renamed Newcastle United Women's Football Club.

In July, the club launched the official NUWFC website.

During the 2006–07 season, the club preserved its Premier League status, finishing a creditable 8th, and reached the FA Women's Cup quarter finals for the first time ever, losing to Liverpool 9–8 on penalties following a 2–2 draw. The final away game of the season took place at Ewood Park against champions elect Blackburn Rovers. In May the club was honoured by The Football Association and received the Nationwide Club of the Year award in London.

The club ended the season winning their first ever international trophy by lifting the Y.E.S. Cup (Year of Exercise and Sport) beating Liverpool, FC Barcelona Femenino and Gateshead Academy over the three-day event.

In August 2013 the club has announced a deal which saw Wonga.com become the club's principal sponsor for the 2013/14 season. This is the first time that an official Newcastle United sponsor has also committed themselves to the women's team, demonstrating the growing importance nationally of women's football.[3]

In the 2015–16 season the club achieved their highest ever finish in the third tier of Women's football, finishing 9th under manager Thomas Butler. As well as the first team securing their highest ever finish, they also reached the semi-final of the FAWPL Plate, where they were defeated by Enfield Town. The club's development side went on to win the FA Women's Premier League Reserve Division Northern under the management team of Andrew Inness and Alex Curran.

In the pre-season of 2016, there was a change of management at the club. Former Newcastle United and Sunderland Ladies player, Victoria Greenwell, taking over as first team manager. Jill Stacey took over as development team manager, retaining Alex Curran and adding Ross Flintoft to the coaching set up.

From 2017, Newcastle United Women became part of Newcastle United Foundation, the registered charity arm of Newcastle United FC, although still remaining independently owned.

From the 2019–20 season, a two-year strategic partnership was announced with Newcastle United Foundation and Northumbria University to provide Strength and Conditioning, Performance Analysis and Physiotherapy support for the team. In addition, the new Head of Women's Football at Northumbria University, Becky Langley, assumed a dual responsibility to manage and lead Newcastle United Women combined with leading Northumbria University Performance Football squads.[4]

On 1 May 2022, Newcastle United Women played their first game at St James Park, attracting a crowd of 22,134. The team won 4–0 against Alnwick Town Ladies.[5] Following promotion to the third tier at the end of the 2022–23 season, the club turned professional, becoming the first professional side to compete in the English women's third tier.[6][7]

Current squad edit

Updated 8 August 2023

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   ENG Grace Donnelly (captain)
3 DF   ENG Keira Skelton
4 MF   ENG Amber-Keegan Stobbs
5 DF   ENG Olivia Watt
6 DF   ENG Jodie Bartle
7 FW   ENG Tyler Dodds
8 MF   ENG Emma Kelly
9 FW   ENG Katie Barker
10 MF   ENG Georgia Gibson
11 MF   ENG Kacie Elson
14 MF   ENG Sharna Wilkinson
15 MF   ENG Hannah Greenwood
16 FW   ENG Becky Ferguson
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 MF   ENG Erin Nelson
18 FW   ENG Bridget Galloway
19 FW   ENG Anna Soulsby
20 DF   ENG Naomi Bedeau
21 MF   ENG Jasmine McQuade
22 MF   ENG Elysia Boddy
23 DF   ENG Charlotte Potts
25 FW   ENG Nicki Gears
26 DF   ENG Grace Boyes
27 GK   SCO Hannah Reid
28 FW   ENG Beth Lumsden
72 GK   NIR Lilie Woods
90 FW   JAM Paige Bailey-Gayle
99 DF   ENG Lia Cataldo

Out on loan edit

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
2 DF   ENG Daisy Burt (on loan to Middlesbrough)
12 MF   SCO Cara Milne-Redhead (on loan to Norton & Stockton Ancients)

Former players edit

Development squad edit

Updated 15 October 2023

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
12   ENG Lucy Gilbert
17 MF   ENG Georgina Spraggon
40   ENG Hannah McIntosh
43   ENG Lucy Plews
48 GK   ENG Elen Valentine
77   ENG Jenny Blench
  ENG Ailsa Swinburne
  ENG Ava Chapman
  ENG Devyn Wilson
  ENG Ebonie Knox
No. Pos. Nation Player
GK   ENG Ellie Brown
  ENG Emma Hunt
  ENG Esther Lane
  ENG Francesca Takher
  ENG Georgina Leech
  ENG Holly Doogan
DF   ENG Jess Spark
  ENG Lily West
  ENG Lucy McConnell
  ENG Poppy Alderson

Management edit

First Team edit

Position Staff
Manager   Becky Langley
Assistant Manager   Andy Cook
Goalkeeper Coach   Chris Stygal
Sports Scientist   David Martinez
Data Analyst   Jess Saunders
Psychologist   Josh McClaren
Head Physio   Karen Dearden
Physio   Davide Ottaviani
Doctor   Ross Floyd
Development Team Manager   Courtney Vacher
Development Team Assistant Manager   Tom Gallagher

Source: [citation needed]

Board edit

Position Staff
Chairman   Yasir Al-Rumayyan
CEO   Darren Eales
Director   Amanda Staveley
Director   Jamie Reuben
Sporting Director vacancy

Source: [citation needed]

Honours edit

Winners: 2023–24
  • FA Women's National League Division One North:
Winners: 2022–23
Winners: 2011–12
Runners-up: 2003–04
  • Combination League Cup:
2004–05
  • Northern Combination League Cup:
1998–99
2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2011–12
  • Y.E.S Cup (Year of Exercise and Sport):
2006–07
  • Lloret Cup:
2003–04
  • Nationwide Club of the Year:
2006–07
  • John O'Farrell Charity Cup:
2009–10
FA Women's Premier League Reserve Division North: 1
2015–16

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "PIF, PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media acquire Newcastle United Football Club". NUFC News. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  2. ^ Newcastle United's women's team completes historic move to club ownership Newcastle United FC. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  3. ^ Wonga expands Newcastle shirt sponsorship, SportsPro, By Ian McPherson, 23 August 2013
  4. ^ Northumbria University and Newcastle United Founation Partnership, Newcastle United Foundation, By Charlotte Bowe, 5 August 2019
  5. ^ "'Empowered' Newcastle women prepare for St James' Park return". BBC Sport. 26 November 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Third division Newcastle Women turn professional". BBC Sport. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  7. ^ "'Historic': Newcastle Women become third tier's only fully professional club". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 July 2023.

External links edit

  • Newcastle United Women's Team
  • Official Website