Leicester City W.F.C. Explained

Clubname:Leicester City Women
Upright:.8
Fullname:Leicester City Women Football Club
Nickname:The Foxes
Founded:2004
Ground:King Power Stadium, Leicester
Capacity:32,261
Owner:King Power
Chairman:Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha
Website:https://www.lcfc.com/women
Pattern La1:_leicester2425h
Pattern B1:_leicester2425h
Pattern Ra1:_leicester2425h
Pattern Sh1:_leicester2425h
Leftarm1:0000DD
Body1:0000DD
Rightarm1:0000DD
Shorts1:0000DD
Socks1:0000DD
Pattern La2:_leicester2425a
Pattern B2:_leicester2425a
Pattern Ra2:_leicester2425a
Pattern Sh2:_leicester2425a
Leftarm2:000000
Body2:000000
Rightarm2:000000
Shorts2:000000
Socks2:000000
Pattern La3:_leicester2425t
Pattern B3:_leicester2425t
Pattern Ra3:_leicester2425t
Leftarm3:EBF7FF
Body3:EBF7FF
Rightarm3:EBF7FF
Shorts3:EBF7FF
Socks3:EBF7FF
Current:2024–25 Leicester City W.F.C. season

Leicester City Women Football Club is an English professional women's football club based in Leicester.[1] Founded in 2004 as an independent club, Leicester City Women were acquired in 2020 by King Power,[2] the parent company of men's affiliate Leicester City FC.[3] They currently compete in the FA Women's Super League,[4] [5] the first level of the English football pyramid.[6]

Leicester City Women won promotion back into the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division in 2016 winning a record 22 games out of 22. After finishing third and second in the Northern Division in 2017 and 2018 respectively, Leicester City Women applied to take part in the inaugural FA Women's Championship season (2018–19). The Foxes had their bid accepted as announced by the Football Association in May 2018.[7]

Leicester City Women also run a Reserves team and the Leicester City Women Development Centre.[8] The development centre expanded at the beginning of the 2017/18 season and caters for under-9s, 10s, 11s, 12s, 13s 14s, 15s, 16s and 18s.[9]

History

Early years and success (2004–2013)

Founded in 2004, Leicester City Women achieved four successive promotions in their first four seasons, winning the Leicestershire County League, Unison East Midlands Southern League, Unison East Midlands Premier and Midland's Combination League to gain promotion into the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division (second tier) in 2008. Cup success also came early with Leicester winning their first of 7 consecutive Leicestershire & Rutland County FA Cup's in 2006, as well as winning their respective League Cup's in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Leicester also reached the Fifth Round of the 2007–08 Women's FA Cup before being beaten by top tier side Everton.

The Foxes finished 5th in their first season in the Northern Division (Second Tier), then going on to finish third in the 2009–10 season before the newly created FA Women's Super League came into effect as the new top tier meant the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division became a third tier league. Leicester had applied to join the FA Women's Super League in December 2009,[10] but in March 2010 they were announced as a losing bidder for the inaugural season.[11] [12]

Leicester consolidated themselves in the third tier with two more back-to-back 3rd place finishes in the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons, as well as maintaining their Leicestershire County Cup run of success, winning their 6th and 7th consecutive trophies in 2011 and 2012 respectively.

Up and down years (2013–2018)

Leicester City Women suffered their first on-pitch relegation in May 2013, finishing bottom of the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division having picked up just four points from 16 games. The club hired Stuart Wilson as Manager as they looked for an immediate return to the third tier. Unfortunately, the club lost out on promotion to Copsewood FC (Copsewood became Nuneaton Town Ladies before folding[13]) Leicester City WFC did, however, regain the County Cup having lost in the final the previous season.

When Stuart Wilson left in the Summer of 2014, Reserves manager Jonathan Morgan stepped up to take charge of First Team affairs in a 'Management Trio' along with James and Ryan who also stepped up from the Reserves. Halfway through the season, with the club sitting second, but eight points behind the leaders Loughborough Foxes, Chairman, and father of Jonathan, Rohan Morgan felt a change in Management was needed and Jonathan Morgan was given the sole responsibility whilst James and Ryan departed the club. Michael Makoni stepped up from the Reserves to become Jonathan's assistant. Leicester would finish the 2014–15 season in second place after a 3–3 draw with Loughborough Foxes and a 2–1 defeat to third-placed Leafield Athletic.

After a number of squad changes for the 2015–16 season, Leicester City WFC started brightly picking up three wins in August, scoring 20 goals and conceding just one. The Foxes continued their fine form through until Christmas, losing just once in the opening four months, a league cup match against Bradford City from the Division above. Despite being knocked out of the County Cup and FA Cup in successive weeks early in 2016, Leicester City WFC maintained their incredible 100% record in the league, winning the Midland Division and confirming promotion back to the Northern Division with a 10–0 win over Rotherham United Ladies. Leicester City WFC came from behind to win late on in a number of games that season, but their impressive 22 wins out of 22 games was confirmed on the final day of the season when Helen Busby netted in the 91st minute away to Wolves having been pegged back at 1–1 just a few minutes before.

Leicester enjoyed a largely successful first season back in the Northern Division, picking up some big wins throughout the season and ending their 3rd tier return in 3rd position, again their joint-highest finish in the Division. Leicester reached the County Cup final before losing 2–1 to Loughborough Foxes, they also reached the League Plate semi-final and the FA Cup fourth Round before narrow defeats in both stopped their progress.

Still under the stewardship of Jonathan Morgan and Michael Makoni, Leicester made a number of big signings in the Summer of 2017, picking up key players with experience in the Northern Division. The club finished second in the league, 10 points behind Blackburn Rovers, with Rosie Axten the top goalscorer for both the Club and the Northern Division. They also made it to the fifth Round of the FA Cup, reached the FA Women's Premier League Cup final and regained the County Cup.

FA Women's Championship (Tier 2) to FA Women's Super League (Tier 1) (2018–present)

In May 2018, Leicester City Women were one of five new teams awarded a licence to join the FA Women's Championship following an extensive application process, securing a return to the second tier for the 2018–19 season after eight years away. Leicester opened their first campaign in the newly named FA Women's Championship with a 2–0 away victory against fellow newcomers Crystal Palace. The Foxes eventually going on to end their return to the second tier in 7th place.

Boosted by a host of new signing's, Leicester hoped to push on in the next campaign and after a stuttering start eventually found themselves with a 6th place finish following a four-game unbeaten run in early 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic shortened the 2019–20 season. Cup success did manage to return however with Leicester reaching the quarter-finals of the Women's FA Cup for the first time thanks to a 2–1 extra time victory over WSL opposition Reading set up a date with Manchester City for later in 2020.

On 22 August 2020, the club was bought by men's club Leicester City FC's parent company King Power, having previously been run as an independent club with an informal cooperation to the Foxes. The club became fully professional in the process.[14] On 6 September 2020, the club played and won its first match as a "professional" outfit, starting their league campaign with a 3–0 victory over Blackburn Rovers thanks to goals from Charlie Devlin and new signing Natasha Flint. Despite being unable to best WSL side Manchester City in the 2019–20 Women's FA Cup quarter-final on 27 September 2020, the Foxes kept up their run of setting personal bests in cup competitions, reaching the semi-final of the 2020–21 FA Women's League Cup before falling to WSL side Bristol City. On 4 April 2021, the club won the Women's Championship after a 2–0 victory over London City Lionesses, sealing promotion to the FA Women's Super League in the process.[15] On 12 May 2021, Leicester defeated Manchester United 3–2 in the fifth round of the 2020–21 Women's FA Cup, before losing a second consecutive quarter-final to Manchester City later in the year.

On 4 September 2021, Leicester City played their first FA Women's Super League and first tier fixture, losing 2–1 to Midlands rivals Aston Villa, having initially taken the lead through Flint. In September, former Leicester City men's and England striker Emile Heskey was appointed as an ambassador to the club.[16] In October 2021 Heskey was then given the job role of Head of women's football development at the club [17] replacing the outgoing, Russ Fraser.[18] In November 2021 it was confirmed that then manager Jonathan Morgan had been relieved of his duties at the club and was replaced by Lydia Bedford.[19] On 19 December 2021, Leicester picked up their first WSL victory, 2–0 at home to Birmingham City thanks to goals from Sophie Howard and Sam Tierney.[20] As a result of the following upturn in form during the second half of the season, Leicester finished their debut top-flight campaign in 11th place, retaining their status.[21]

In 2023–24, Leicester reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time after beating Liverpool in the quarter-finals.[22] In the semi-final, Leicester lost 2–1 away to Tottenham Hotspur after extra time.[23]

Home stadium

Leicester City Women play at King Power Stadium;[24] Pirelli Stadium[25] is their alternative venue when scheduling clashes with the men's team prevent playing at King Power Stadium.[26]

Between 2017 and 2021, Leicester City Women played at Farley Way Stadium, home of Quorn FC. Up until 2017, they played at Riverside Pavilion in Leicester. Before moving to Riverside, Leicester City Women moved between grounds in different seasons, including Harborough Town's Bowden Park and Oadby Town's Freeway Park.

Training ground

In January 2021 the men's teams were relocated to a new purpose built training ground. The former Premier League team's facility at Belvoir Drive was then handed over to the women's teams[27] for full-time use.[28]

Players

Current squad

[29]

Former players

Club staff

[30]

Directors & Senior Management
Role Person
Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha
Vice Chairman Apichet Srivaddhanaprabha
Chief Executive Susan Whelan
Director Lisa Pearce
General Manager Jade Morgan

[31]

First Team Management
Role Person
First Team Manager Amandine Miquel
First Team Assistant Manager Amaury Messuwe
First Team Assistant Manager Jennifer Foster
First Team Coach Stephen Kirby
First Team Goalkeeping Coach Tom Pressman
First Team Goalkeeping Coach Ollie Colebourne
Head of Medical & Performance Tom Freeman
Strength & Conditioning Coach Marcus Ward
Performance Analyst Samuel Jones
Data Analyst Georgina Nielsen
Kit Manager Harry Mclean
Head of Academy Jenny Sugarman

Player statistics

Player of the Year

Supporters' Player of the Year

Leicester City's Supporters' Player of the Year award is voted for by the club's supporters at the end of every season.

YearWinnerRefs
2020–21 Natasha Flint
2021–22 Shannon O'Brien[32]
2022–23 Janina Leitzig[33]

Players' Player of the Year

Leicester City's Players' Player of the Year award is voted for by the club's players at the end of every season.

YearWinnerRefs
2020–21 Ashleigh Plumptre
2021–22 Demi Lambourne[34]
2022–23 Janina Leitzig

Players with over 50 professional appearances for Leicester

Includes competitive appearances only from 22 August 2020 when the club turned professional. Current players in bold.

Players with over 10 professional goals for Leicester

Includes competitive goals only from 22 August 2020 when the club turned professional. Current players in bold.

International honours

. Only caps won and goals scored at Leicester included, current players in bold.

World Cup players

The following players were selected for the FIFA Women's World Cup whilst at Leicester.

Honours

League

Cup

External links

52.7489°N -1.1803°W

|}

Notes and References

  1. News: Leicester City Launches LCFC Women As The Club Commits to the Women's Game . 23 August 2020 . Leicester City FC . 22 August 2020.
  2. Web site: Council to award highest honours to LCFC and current and former chairman . 27 February 2022 . news.leicester.gov.uk.
  3. News: Leicester City take control of Leicester City Women . 23 August 2020 . BBC Sport . 22 August 2020.
  4. Web site: 17 February 2022 . Leicester City hit by Covid as £33m losses revealed TheBusinessDesk.com . 27 February 2022 . East Midlands.
  5. Web site: Wellon . Hannah . 3 September 2021 . Leicester City season preview: Foxes look to make their mark in the WSL . 27 February 2022 . Her Football Hub.
  6. Web site: Leicester City Football Club & Owners To Receive Top Civic Honours . 27 February 2022 . www.lcfc.com.
  7. Web site: Q&A .
  8. https://lcwfc.com/lcwfc-announce-head-of-development-centre/ LCWFC announce head of development centre
  9. Web site: History – Leicester City Ladies Football Club . www.lclfc.co.uk . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160131074506/http://www.lclfc.co.uk/history/ . 2016-01-31.
  10. News: OOH Lincoln declare intention to join women's Super League in 2011. The Guardian. 2010-03-09 . London . Tony . Leighton . 2009-11-30.
  11. News: Lincoln Ladies FA Women's Super League bid success. BBC. 2010-03-28 . 2010-03-22.
  12. News: Lincoln City the surprise name in newly formed Women's Super League. The Guardian. 2010-03-28 . London . Tony . Leighton . 2010-03-21.
  13. Web site: Nuneaton Town Ladies Withdraw from WPL .
  14. Web site: Leicester acquire Leicester City Women and make side fully professional . Sky Sports.
  15. News: Leicester City Women promoted to WSL for first time . BBC Sport . 4 April 2021.
  16. Web site: Emile Heskey To Become LCFC Ambassador To Support The Development Of Women's Football. Leicester City Football Club. 2 July 2021.
  17. Web site: 3 October 2021 . Leicester name Emile Heskey as Head of Women's Football Development . 27 February 2022 . Her Football Hub.
  18. Web site: Diamond . Drew . 29 September 2021 . Liverpool to announce new managing director Russ Fraser from Leicester . 27 February 2022 . Her Football Hub.
  19. Web site: Wellon . Hannah . 28 November 2021 . Leicester City: A look back at the success of Jonathan Morgan . 27 February 2022 . Her Football Hub.
  20. Web site: LEICESTER CITY WFC VS. BIRMINGHAM CITY 2 - 0. Soccerway. 20 May 2022.
  21. Web site: 4 May 2022 . LCFC Women Retain WSL Status . 17 May 2022 . LCFC.
  22. News: Liverpool 0–2 Leicester . Ciara . Fleming . BBC Sport . 9 March 2024 . 18 March 2024.
  23. News: Tottenham 2–1 Leicester . Emma . Sanders . BBC Sport . 14 April 2024 . 14 April 2024.
  24. Web site: Fisher . Bethany . 2021-11-07 . WSL: Manchester City sink Leicester in second league win . 27 February 2022 . Her Football Hub.
  25. Web site: Bryan . Laura . 16 January 2022 . FAWSL: Leicester earn vital victory over Brighton . 27 February 2022 . Her Football Hub.
  26. News: LCFC Women To Play Historic First WSL Season At King Power Stadium . 25 August 2021 . Leicester City FC . 25 August 2021.
  27. Web site: 26 May 2021 . Exclusive: Leicester hotshot Shannon O'Brien ready to take WSL by storm . 27 February 2022 . Her Football Hub.
  28. Web site: 12 August 2021 . Emile Heskey: "Working with Leicester City Women has been a blessing" . 27 February 2022 . Her Football Hub.
  29. Web site: LCFC Women . Leicester City FC . 18 February 2024.
  30. News: Leicester: Willie Kirk replaces Lydia Bedford as Foxes boss . 3 November 2022 . BBC Sport . 3 November 2022.
  31. Web site: LCFC Women Staff . Leicester City FC . 25 February 2024.
  32. News: Shannon O'Brien . Leicester City FC . 18 February 2024.
  33. News: Iheanacho & Leitzig earn Player of the Season recognition . Leicester City FC . 31 May 2023 . 18 February 2024.
  34. News: Lambourne reacts to Players' Player of the Season prize . Leicester City FC . 18 May 2022 . 18 February 2024.
  35. Web site: LCFC Women on Twitter. LCFC Women. 1 March 2019 . 21 May 2022.