Women’s football

Emma Hayes described her journey with Chelsea as an ‘unbelievable ride’ after being awarded an OBE for her services to football.The Kingsmeadow boss was among a number of sports figures included in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.
Emma Hayes’ OBE comes following Chelsea winning a domestic treble in 2021Credit: PA
The gong for the Blues manager comes five years on from her being made an MBE.
And it caps a trophy-winning year for Hayes whose team sealed a domestic treble in December after their 3-0 triumph over Arsenal in the delayed Women’s FA Cup final.
The Chelsea chief, 44, said: “It was a huge shock to hear I had been awarded an OBE.
“It’s been an unbelievable ride so far, transforming from an amateur outfit to one of the top five clubs in Europe and I hope we’ve helped to pave the way for future generations to come.
“I couldn’t have done it without the support, and I will be forever grateful to each and every one of them.
“It’s an unbelievable honour for me and my family and a privilege I take very seriously.
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“I would like to thank everyone who has worked with me across my career.
“I am fortunate and extremely lucky to have represented a fantastic football club and an amazing group of people over these past ten years.”
Hayes’ OBE came in a year that saw Chelsea claim their fourth WSL crown and a second Conti Cup in addition to their third FA Cup.
And the club reached their first-ever Champions League final before being beaten by 4-0 Catalan giants Barcelona.
The Blues also went on a 33-game unbeaten run in the WSL breaking the previous record set by Manchester City in 2017 of 32 matches without a loss.
Their run, which was ended by a home loss to Brighton, saw Hayes named as Barclays WSL Manager of the Season in May.
Former Lionesses captain Sheila Parker was honoured for her services to footballCredit: PA:Empics Sport
And this came two months before the Camden-born coach, who took charge of Chelsea in 2012, signed a new deal to extend her reign.
Other football figures honoured include Sheila Parker who skippered England Women’s team in their official match in 1972.
The former Preston centre-back, 74, who led the team to a 3-2 win against Scotland that year, has been made an MBE for her services to football and charities.
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KHADIJA SHAW hopes her rise to the top of the game will inspire young players in the Caribbean to chase their football dreams.The Jamaica star – who turns 25 in January – has been reflecting on her journey in the sport including her high-profile summer switch to Manchester City.
Khadija Shaw reckons being patient with efforts on the pitch will help her progress at Manchester CityCredit: Rex
The striker grabbed headlines after sealing a June transfer to the Academy Stadium on a three-year deal after two seasons with French side Bordeaux.
And the forward, 24, whose team play Brighton in their first game of 2022, is proud to have young footballers in her country looking up to her and Man City’s Prem star Raheem Sterling.
Shaw, who goes by the nickname Bunny, told Fifa.com: “I was once in their shoes, so I know what it feels like looking up to someone like, for example, Raheem Sterling. It means a lot to me, and it helps me also.
“Some days when I don’t feel like I can give or go that extra mile, I just think about all the other players back home.
“It helps me get out of bed sometimes in the morning to go out and work hard.”
Shaw’s Man City side experienced a tough run in the first part of this term losing four of their first nine games.
The club, who endured their worst ever start to a WSL season, have been battling with injury issues with 10 players out of action back in September.
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And Shaw contended with a foot problem that saw her miss City’s wins against Durham in the Conti Cup and Leicester in the league in November.
However, an upturn in form has seen the team win their last two top tier games before Covid cases led to their final match of the year against Reading being postponed.
Before then Shaw has enjoyed some decent performances on the pitch, notching up two goals and one assist in seven WSL appearances.
And the Jamaica forward, who netted 22 times in 20 games for Bordeaux last term, relishes testing her skills in a squad that includes 20 senior internationals.
The City ace added: “For me to be here at Manchester City, that alone speaks for itself. I’m enjoying it and I’m just going to continue to improve.
“I’m adjusting to new coaching, new playing, the club, the players.
“One of the biggest things for me is to be patient with myself, trust my instincts and what I’m good at and just continue to focus on that.
Man City are looking to climb up the WSL table following the team’s second-place finish last seasonCredit: Getty
“In terms of the team, it’s an incredible group of players that push you day-in and day-out, so I definitely think I’m getting tested throughout training.”
Shaw and her Jamaica team made history when they became the first-ever Caribbean country to win a place in a Women’s World Cup tournament.
And their squad, currently ranked the 51st best side in the world, was the youngest to compete in the tournament in France in 2019.
While three defeats saw the Reggae Girlz crash out in the group stage that year, Shaw is confident of the team improving as they bid to qualify for the 2023 contest.
And the side, who play Bermuda in February in the first of four qualifiers for the 2022 Concacaf Women’s Championship, have won and drawn two of their last three international friendlies.
Shaw and her Jamaica team-mates are aiming to qualify for the 2022 Concacaf Championship and the 2023 World CupCredit: Getty
Shaw said: “After the World Cup we sat down and spoke with the (Jamaica Football) federation and gave our points about what we took from the experience.
“It’s definitely improving, and I know it takes time. As a team, we know that. It’s just a matter of seeing the progress, as patient as we are as well.
“We’re all young. With the experience and having camps and the building of the chemistry within the team, we can definitely continue to improve.”
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KATIE WILKINSON ‘is praying’ football chiefs can help Coventry United Ladies players and staff following the collapse of the Women’s Championship side. Accountants are overseeing the ‘voluntary liquidation’ of the club with their squad and employees left without jobs TWO days before Christmas.
Coventry United Ladies have gone into voluntary liquidation despite turning professional at the start of the seasonCredit: Getty
Coventry players were left shocked by the news of the collapse of the Women’s Championship club
This is despite the club becoming a professional outfit at the start of this season and giving players full-time contracts.
A statement on club’s website said: “With regret, the board of directors have instructed BK Plus Limited to assist with placing the company/club into creditors voluntary liquidation.”
The news is reported to have shocked Coventry players and backroom staff with several with many expressing their dismay on social media platforms.
And The Telegraph reports players and staff were only informed of the club’s predicament earlier today.
Squad personnel and the team’s other employees are reported to have been released.
In a post shared via her Twitter account, Wilkinson, 26, wrote: “I’m truly lost for words and absolutely gutted and heartbroken for this group of players and staff.
“We had absolutely no indication that the club was in such financial difficulty.
“It just feels so cruel that at what should be one of the happiest times of the year, our livelihoods, our financial security and our club has been taken away from us just two days before Christmas.”
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Wilkinson, who is a two-time Women’s Championship golden boot winner, joined Coventry on a two-year deal in July this year following a two-term stint at Sheffield United
The forward, who began her senior career at Birmingham in 2013, played for Blues, Aston Villa and London Bees previously.
In her tweet, the Cov United striker added: “What’s hard to swallow right now, is that I know many of my team-mates have sacrificed amazing jobs, careers, homes, families and more to become full-time professional footballers for Coventry United.
“I just hope and pray the FA, the PFA, clubs, players and fans within our amazing football community can come together and support my team-mates in finding new clubs to play the game they love.”
Coventry became a professional side after business officials Steve Quinlan, Darren Landon and Paul Marsh bought a 49 per cent stake in the club.
The trio own cleaning and hygiene products firm Mirius which is based in the city.
The Midlands outfit were established in 1991 and moved to Butts Park Arena in 2015 – the home of Coventry’s rugby union side.
And last term the team won their fight to avoid relegation from the Championship after finishing five points above bottom-placed London Bees.
Coventry United Ladies entering voluntary liquidation has left its players, staff and other figures across the women’s game stunned.

The club’s goalkeeper and Wales international Olivia Clark described the situation as ‘heartbreaking’.
In a comment published on her Twitter page, Clark said: “I have no words.
“To come into work and to find out that you no longer have the job that you’ve always dreamed of is heartbreaking.
“Thanks for making me a professional footballer and for the best two seasons.
“The best group of girls you could ask for, Red and Green forever.”
Coventry United Ladies’ liquidation comes just eight days on from their Conti Cup clash with TottenhamCredit: Getty
And Tottenham boss Rehanne Skinner was disheartened to see the problems facing Coventry just eight days after her side’s 3-2 defeat of the team in the Conti Cup.
In a tweet, Skinner wrote: So disappointing to see the situation at Coventry Utd Women. We were just there Weds last week.
“Dedicated players and staff trying to drive the game forward, now hit with this before Christmas.
“Shouldn’t still be in a position where teams can disappear overnight, feel for all involved.”
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LYDIA BEDFORD praised her players for riding a storm on their way to a 2-0 defeat of Birmingham and a precious first win in the top tier. A powerful Sam Tierney header was among the goals that helped the Foxes jump from rock bottom in their battle for WSL survival.
Leicester picked up their first win and points in the WSL after nine straight defeatsCredit: Rex
Bedford hopes the result will give her side a boost in their bid to avoid relegationCredit: Getty
The result saw Bedford notch up her first victory from her second WSL game at the helm.
The Foxes boss said: “It’s a massive relief and I’m really buzzing for the girls
“It was a great team effort keeping a clean sheet and putting that performance in across nine minutes. I’m so proud of them.
“The second half of the season is going to be critical for us.
“The girls have got to remember that, but the three points makes a massive difference to our journey
“Hopefully the belief that it will create over Christmas and the mentality for the girls coming back in January will help us to jumpstart the New Year
The hosts took the lead with Sophie Howard’s curled effort in the 18th minute.
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And they came close to doubling their advantage moments later when Natasha Flint set up Jess Sigsworth who sent her strike narrowly wide.
The visitors had a decent chance to level when Libby Smith teed up Jade Pennock before the winger sent the ball over the crossbar.
Leicester doubled their lead in the second half with Molly Pike’s corner finding Tierney with the defender heading in her first top-flight goal in the 74th minute.
They shut out their rivals to secure the victory with a trip to Reading up next in the New Year.
The defeat for Birmingham leaves Darren Carter’s side in the drop zone before Christmas and a daunting January duel with leaders Arsenal.
Elsewhere Tottenham regained their grip on the WSL’s coveted third spot with a narrow home defeat of Everton.
Jessica Naz’s second-half shot helped Spurs nab a 1-0 win and a two-point advantage over Manchester United.
Jessica Naz was on target for Tottenham as they moved back to third in the leagueCredit: Prime Media
And Rehanne Skinner wants her players to maintain momentum for the rest of the season.
The Tottenham boss said: “You have to be consistent in this league otherwise you don’t get anything out of it
“Last year for us was very different us. This year we’ve only had two games where we’ve not been at the races at all.
“We showed a great amount of resilience and character to get points out of this match.”
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