Middlesbrough F.C. Women Explained

Clubname:Middlesbrough
Fullname:Middlesbrough Football Club Women
Upright:0.8
Nickname:Boro
Short Name:MFCW
Ground:Bishopton Road West
Riverside Stadium
Capacity:1,800 (200 seated)
Bishopton Road West
Chairman:Steve Gibson
Manager:Michael Mulhern
Website:https://www.mfc.co.uk
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Current:2024–25 Middlesbrough F.C. Women season

Middlesbrough Football Club Women is an English women's football club. Founded in 1976, they currently play in the, with home games played at Bishopton Road West, Stockton.

Middlesbrough were founding members of the Northern Combination in 1998, and spent much of their early history in the third and fourth tiers of woman's football, aside from a brief spell in the second tier FA Premier League Northern Division from 2002 to 2006. The club officially became affiliated with the men's team in 2023.

Middlesbrough also have a reserve side competing in the FA Women's National League Reserve Northern Division. Their home games are played at Middlesbrough College.[1]

History

Formation and early years (1976–2010)

Middlesbrough Football Club Women was formed in 1976.[2] Originally known as Cleveland Spartans, they played in the Nottinghamshire Ladies League,[3] and were coached by Middlesbrough players Mark Proctor and David Hodgson.[4] The club reached the 1982 WFA Cup Final, losing 2–0 to Lowestoft.[5] Middlesbrough later played in the Yorkshire and Humberside Ladies League.[6]

In 1996 Marrie Wieczorek became full time manager. Under her guidance Middlesbrough won the 2001–02 Northern Combination, and were promoted to the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division.[7] They remained in the Northern Division for four seasons, returning to the Northern Combination following relegation at the end of the 2005–06 season.[8]

Ups and downs (2010–present)

In September 2010, Middlesbrough travelled to North Korea and played two friendly matches against April 25, losing 6–2, and Kalmaegi, losing 5–0.[9] In 2012 Gemma Grainger was appointed manager, and the club finished the 2012–13 season in fourth place.[10] Grainger left the club in 2013 due to commitments to the England U19 team, and was replaced by player-manager Samantha Leigh.[11]

As a result of the restructuring of the FA Women's Premier League for the 2014–15 season, Middlesbrough competed in the newly formed FA Women's Premier League Northern Division One.[12] Under new manager and owner Lindsey Stephenson,[13] the club finished the season in fourth place.[14] Middlesbrough won the 2015–16 Northern Division One, and were promoted to the Northern Premier Division.[15] In their first season back in the third tier of woman's football, Middlesbrough achieved a second-place finish.[16] In June 2017 the club unveiled a new crest.[17]

In January 2020, Ben Fisher was announced as new chairman,[18] while Marrie Wieczorek returned to the club as an ambassador.[19] Middlesbrough reached the semi-finals of the 2019–20 FA National League Plate, losing 2–0 to Watford.[20] On 24 August 2021, former Middlesbrough player Andy Campbell was appointed manager.[21] Middlesbrough were relegated to the National League Division One North at the end of the 2021–22 season.[22]

On 26 May 2023, the club officially became affiliated with the men’s team, and Michael Mulhern was announced as manager.[23] Middlesbrough played their first game at the Riverside Stadium on 17 September, a 0–0 draw against Stockport County.[24]

Kits

Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

PeriodKit manufacturerShirt sponsor
2010–2015AdidasWells Solutions[25]
2015–2017Amigos Pizza[26]
2017–2018Northern Coffee[27]
2018–2020Hummel
2020–2021Team Stokes Limited (TSL)[28]
2021–2022Map Group (UK)[29]
2022–2023Erreà
2023–Durata[30]

Stadium

During the 2000s, Middlesbrough played their home games at Central Avenue, Billingham Synthonia,[31] before moving to Teesdale Park, Thornaby Football Club, in 2010. In July 2018, the club moved to Bedford Terrace, Billingham Town.[32]

Since June 2022, Middlesbrough have played their home games at Bishopton Road West, Stockton Town.[33] The stadium underwent a £1 million redevelopment in 2015, and now includes modern facilities and a 3G pitch.[34] With affiliation into Middlesbrough Football Club in 2023, the team have select matches at the Riverside Stadium.

Players

Current squad

[35]

Reserves

Middlesbrough operate a reserve team who compete in the FA Women's National League Reserve Northern Division, and play home games at Middlesbrough College.[36] The club also operate a development team, who play in the North Riding Women's Premier League.[37]

Former players

Club staff

[35]

Executive Members
Role Person
Chair of club Steve Gibson
General manager Ben Fisher
Management & Backroom Staff
Role Person
First Team Manager Michael Mulhern
Assistant Manager Joe Lillie
Goalkeeping Coach Iain Longstaff
Fitness Coach Lee Phoenix
Lead Physiotherapist Sarah Stones
Performance Analyst Jason Elgie
Under-23's Manager Dom Bylett
Under-16's Manager Ben Fisher

Managerial history

DatesName
1996–2012 Marrie Wieczorek
2012–2013 Gemma Grainger
2013–2014 Samantha Leigh
2014–2018 Lindsey Stephenson
2018 Kelsey Byrne
2018–2021 Steph Fairless
2021–2023 Andy Campbell
2023– Michael Mulhern

Honours

League

See also

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Middlesbrough Women F.C. . Middlesbrough Women F.C.. 16 September 2020.
  2. Web site: Club. https://web.archive.org/web/20180122224730/http://middlesbroughwomen.co.uk/club . 22 January 2018. Middlesbrough Women F.C.. 19 May 2023.
  3. News: Internationals on show at league cup final. Long Eaton Advertiser. 27 April 1978. 22 October 2022. British Newspaper Archive. subscription.
  4. Web site: Marrie Wieczorek joy as Team GB women make history. 18 July 2012. GazetteLive. 17 November 2015.
  5. Web site: History of the Woman's FA Cup Final. 10 May 2018. The Football Association. 25 May 2022.
  6. News: Ladies on the ball. East Cleveland Herald & Post. 29 September 1993. 22 October 2022. British Newspaper Archive. subscription.
  7. Web site: Northern Combination – 2001/02 season. https://web.archive.org/web/20040616024102/http://ncfl.co.uk/season_2001.htm. 16 June 2004. Northern Combination Football League. 11 February 2023.
  8. Web site: Boro ladies target promotion. 27 August 2017. 27 August 2011. GazetteLive.
  9. Web site: Middlesbrough Ladies footballers back from North Korea. 24 September 2010. BBC . 23 June 2020.
  10. Web site: Middlesbrough Ladies’ team packed with young talent. 12 June 2013. 12 June 2013. GazetteLive.
  11. Web site: MFC Ladies Sammie Leigh . https://web.archive.org/web/20141224183258/http://mfcladies.co.uk/1415squad/sammie_leigh.html . 24 December 2014. Middlesbrough Women F.C.. 27 March 2023.
  12. Web site: MFC Ladies . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923183233/https://www.mfc.co.uk/team/mfc-ladies.aspx . 23 September 2015. Middlesbrough Football Club. 8 January 2023.
  13. Web site: Chairman and First Team Manager: Lindsey Stephenson . https://web.archive.org/web/20180313092548/http://www.middlesbroughwomen.co.uk/staff/lindsey-stephenson/ . 13 March 2018. Middlesbrough Women F.C.. 18 February 2023.
  14. Web site: FA Women's Premier League: Northern Division One 2014/15 . The Football Association . 22 November 2015.
  15. Web site: Title ‘Means the World’ to Boro. 16 April 2016. 26 February 2023. SheKicks.
  16. Web site: Middlesbrough Women aim to make it back-to-back wins against Burton in the cup. 29 August 2017. 29 August 2017. GazetteLive.
  17. BoroWomen . 870938653157208064 . 3 June 2017 . New season. New badge. New memories..
  18. Web site: Club Statement: Fisher takes over Middlesbrough Women FC . https://web.archive.org/web/20230311200254/https://middlesbroughwomenfc.co.uk/news/club-statement--fisher-takes-over-middlesbrough-women-fc . 11 March 2023. Middlesbrough Women F.C.. 8 July 2023.
  19. Web site: Marrie Becomes Football Welcomes Women’s Ambassador. MFC Foundation. 28 January 2020. 11 August 2022.
  20. Web site: Good Luck to Middlesbrough Women FC In FAWNL Plate Semi-Final . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526183950/https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/good-luck-to-middlesbrough-women-fc-in-fawnl-plate-semi-final . 26 May 2022. Middlesbrough Football Club. 8 January 2023.
  21. Web site: Boro Women Announce Andy Campbell As Manager . https://web.archive.org/web/20210826142944/https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/boro-women-announce-andy-campbell-as-manager . 26 August 2021. Middlesbrough Football Club. 8 January 2023.
  22. Web site: Women Preview: Burnley vs. Middlesbrough . https://web.archive.org/web/20220509214723/https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/more/together-we-can/burnley-middlesbrough-rearranged . 9 May 2022. Burnley Football Club. 24 February 2024.
  23. Web site: Club Welcomes Middlesbrough FC Women. 26 May 2023. Middlesbrough Football Club . 26 May 2023.
  24. Web site: Match Review: Boro Women 0 Stockport County 0. 18 September 2023. Middlesbrough Football Club . 18 September 2023.
  25. Web site: Middlesbrough Ladies Football Club - 2013/2014 Club Sponsor - Wells Solutions . https://web.archive.org/web/20140528174248/http://mfcladies.co.uk/sponsors.html . 28 May 2014. Middlesbrough Women F.C.. 19 May 2023.
  26. Web site: NEWS: New Home Shirt Sponsor . https://web.archive.org/web/20151006020105/http://www.mfcladies.com/2015/10/05/news-new-home-shirt-sponsor/ . 6 October 2015. Middlesbrough Women F.C.. 19 May 2023.
  27. BoroWomen . 926010045103509505 . 2 November 2017 . Congratulations to our home shirt sponsor Northern Coffee Co on the official opening..
  28. Web site: Middlesbrough Women FC announce new first-team sponsorship with TSL . https://web.archive.org/web/20221103120233/https://www.middlesbroughwomenfc.co.uk/news/middlesbrough-women-fc-announce-new-first-team-sponsorship-with-tsl?id=216914 . 3 November 2022. Middlesbrough Women F.C.. 8 July 2023.
  29. BoroWomen . 1556692864859512837 . 8 August 2022 . Middlesbrough Women FC are excited to announce MAP Group UK Ltd will continue to be our first team sponsor for the 2022/23 season..
  30. Web site: Durata Are The New Premium Partner Of MFC Women . 7 July 2023. Middlesbrough Football Club. 8 July 2023.
  31. Web site: Middlesbrough Ladies Football Club. https://web.archive.org/web/20040323223544/http://www.mfcladies.50megs.com/ . 23 March 2004. Middlesbrough Women F.C.. 2 June 2023.
  32. Web site: Middlesbrough Women announce new Billingham Town base . 31 July 2018. SheKicks. 8 July 2023.
  33. Web site: Home Ground Announcement . https://web.archive.org/web/20221031085529/https://www.middlesbroughwomenfc.co.uk/news/home-ground-announcement?id=412296 . 31 October 2022. Middlesbrough Women F.C.. 8 July 2023.
  34. Web site: New £1m facility in Stockton provides 'best sporting facilities outside pro football in the North-east'. 9 May 2016. 26 February 2023. GazetteLive.
  35. Web site: Teams – Women's. Middlesbrough Football Club. 18 July 2024.
  36. Web site: Middlesbrough Women Reserves . Middlesbrough Women F.C.. 8 January 2023.
  37. Web site: Middlesbrough Women Development . Middlesbrough Women F.C.. 8 January 2023.

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