Women’s Super League

JAYNE LUDLOW says she is thrilled to be taking up the reins of managing Man City Women’s rising stars.Ludlow’s appointment as the club’s Girls’ Academy technical director comes three months after she stood down as Wales Women’s manager after six years in charge.
Jayne Ludlow wants to help Man City Women’s youth players reach the highest levels of the gameCredit: Rex Features
The former Arsenal Ladies ace’s new position will see her identify and develop up and coming young players for the WSL giants.  
Ludlow, 42, said: “I am excited and honoured to be given the opportunity to join Manchester City.
“I look forward to ensuring that our academy prioritises personal and football development so that our next generation positively impacts the game and societies of the future. 
“I am also committed to helping facilitate a creative, positive learning environment where both coaches and players can thrive and one that enables them to reach the highest levels of the game.” 
First team talents who have risen through the ranks of Man City’s development squad include Jess Park and Esme Morgan. 
Both were part of the side that triumphed in the 2018 WSL Development Cup Final.
Other starlets who represented the club at youth level include Red Devils forward Ella Toone, Bristol’s Emma Bissell and Sheffield United’s Alethea Paul. 
Ludlow, who managed Reading Women from 2013 to 2014 before her appointment as Wales Women’s boss, enjoyed a trophy-laden playing career prior to her move into management.  
Esme Morgan rose through the ranks of Man City Women’s development squadCredit: Sportimage

Silverware wins for the former Gunners midfielder include nine Women’s Premier League titles, six FA Cups, a Women’s Champions League trophy with Arsenal.
The former Wales international spent 13 years playing for the North London giants following stints at Southampton Saints Ladies and Millwall Lionesses. 
Gavin Makel, Managing Director of Manchester City Women, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Jayne to the Manchester City family. 
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Jayne Ludlow managed Wales for six years before being appointed as technical director of Man City Women’s Girls’ AcademyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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VEATRIKI SARRI heaped injury-time misery on Aston Villa as Birmingham nabbed a 1-1 draw in the dying minutes of a tetchy Midlands derby.  The WSL ace sparked scenes of wild celebration with a jubilant Carla Ward hugging her players after they snatched a vital point in their bid to beat the drop.
Birmingham City snatched a vital draw from the brink of defeat from their Midlands derby clash with rivals Aston VillaCredit: Getty
Super sub Veatriki Sarri came on to rescue a point for Blues who are battling to stay in the WSLCredit: PA
Just as it looked as if ex-Brum starlet Freya Gregory’s goal had given Villa’s top flight survival dreams a boost, super sub Sarri came on to spoil the visitors’ party.  
Birmingham’s 1-1 home draw means they leapfrog West Ham to go ninth in the table ahead of a tricky trip to Manchester City. 
Ward said: “Villa were the better team for large parts but the fact that we find a way tells you that this group has got character, desire, it’s got everything you need.
“I said at the start of the season – and I said it all year – that no one gives us a chance. But these players do. I do. The staff do.
“Honestly, I love working with them because they just don’t give up. They don’t want to roll over. Hence my knee slide to join in with them at the end!“I think we’re there in terms of safety. West Ham have got to play Villa at the weekend. If they both get a point, they both stay below us.
“If one wins, the other one stays below us. Whichever one loses then has to beat Manchester City or Arsenal, so I think we’re there, barring an absolute miracle.”

Villa, who were beaten 1-0 in the last league exchange between the sides, looked to dominate the possession from the get go. 
They attempted to take the lead as early as the fourth minute with Chloe Arthur’s free-kick flying wide of Hannah Hampton’s goal. 
Aston Villa have dropped points in the league in injury time for the second time in four daysCredit: Rex

And they went close to scoring in the 11th minute with Mana Iwabuchi attempting to curl a right-footed shot into the far corner. 
Moments later Birmingham suffered a minor scare with Hampton missing the chance to claim Anita Asante’s chipped free-kick.
But following a scramble in the box, the hosts managed to hoof the ball out of danger.  
Bignot’s players’ attacking efforts did not go unrewarded for too long with Gregory returning to haunt her old side. 
And she put them ahead with a thumping strike for her first senior goal in a Villa shirt.
Following a Birmingham corner, the visitors countered with the ball dropping to Iwabuchi who released Shania Hayles who squared it to Gregory
And the Villa starlet saw her initial shot crash off the underside of the crossbar before smashing the ball into the goal with venom minutes before the half-hour mark. 
Freya Gregory was on target for Villa in the 27th minute to net her first professional goalCredit: Getty
The second period saw Birmingham attempt to fight their way back into the game, but having little joy in the final third. 
Sub Emily Murphy, on loan from Chelsea, saw her strike from distance fly past Lisa Weiss’s far post close to the 60th minute. 
Ward, who lost Ruesha Littlejohn to injury in the first half, made her final roll of the dice bringing on Sarri in place of Blues defender Emma kelly
The switch came minutes after the forthright Birmingham boss was given a yellow card for her response to a decision given in Villa’s favour
It was a substitution that worked wonders, with Sarri’s free-kick flying into Weiss’ goal through a huddle of players to seal a score draw.
And the result combined with the Hammers’ 2-0 loss to Arsenal means just THREE points separate the bottom four sides in the Women’s Super League. 
It could see the fight to remain in the top flight go down to the wire with Villa due to take on Olli Harder’s Irons next. 
Bignot said: “I appreciate Carla’s words and I would echo them.
Villa boss Marcus Bignot will be urging his side to bounce back by beating West HamCredit: Reuters
“We were the better team. We deserved the three points but we haven’t got them.
“It was disappointing in terms of the manner in which we didn’t get those three points.
“We learned lessons from the Bristol game in terms of how we conceded – we were very deep – but this one was taken away from us. It’s a hard one to take.
“Credit to Birmingham for taking advantage.”
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Villa will travel to Arsenal for their last game of the season after they play the HammersCredit: Getty
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CARLA WARD is urging Birmingham City’s owners to invest in their women’s team or make way for others who will, according to reports. The Daily Mail claims Ward wants the club to ramp up their support for Blues’ WSL outfit which she believes will be vital for her side’s future.
Ward is urging Birmingham’s owners to invest in the club’s women’s team who are battling to stay in the WSLCredit: Getty
Ward, 37 said: “It’s do or die, support and kick on or make way for others clubs who want to invest.”
And her impassioned plea comes ahead of her tenth-placed side’s derby with Aston Villa who are eleventh and second from bottom.
It also comes just weeks after her first team players wrote to their board slamming conditions and facilities provided for the women’s team.
The Birmingham chief revealed she is fully supported by her squad and that she is currently the only full-time coaching member of staff for her side.
The letter from her team to the club’s most senior officials received overwhelming backing from several WSL stars.
And Ward is reported to have been brought in to mediate between the board members and players.
Ward added: “The letter’s probably five per cent of how they felt and I supported it.
“I’m the only full-time member of technical staff, which is unheard of in the WSL.”
One positive to have emerged from the letter is that the club have pledged to move the team’s games to St Andrew’s next term should they win their fight to stay in the WSL.
Birmingham are due to play Aston Villa who are two points behind Blues and second from bottomCredit: Alamy

But this small step is not enough for Ward who believes she is facing an uphill struggle at present.
Both Birmingham’s men’s and women’s teams have been pushing to maintain their places within their respective divisions.
The Blues women’s side have been a mainstay in the Women’s Super League since its creation in 2011 and qualified for a Champions League place in the 2012-13 season.
And now Lee Bowyer’s squad have secured their spot in the EFL ahead of next term, Ward is determined to see her players beat the drop.
But as soon as that task is completed, the former Sheffield United Women’s boss aims to have a sit-down with the club’s owners to get clear answers on their future plans.
Ward continued: “I think ultimately nothing is going to happen overnight.
“Now the men are safe that will help, I imagine.
“We would like to think once we’re safe too, we’ll get clear answers, move forward and have discussions. I’m up for a fight but not for the impossible.”
Another reason Ward wants more from the club’s owners is due to an historic TV deal the WSL signed the BBC and Sky Sports, which she reckons will be ‘huge’ for the women’s game
The Birmingham boss reckons WSL sides will need to be at their best with games being shown on the biggest platform.
And Ward hopes clubs in the league provide their women’s teams with the necessary tools to succeed.
Birmingham will face Manchester City after their clash with Aston VillaCredit: Zuma Press
Ward added: “It will be huge next season. And this is why football clubs have to get it right.
“Because we’re going live to the nation, on the biggest platform you could possibly ask for.
“For anyone who stays in the WSL this year I would say, take this seriously, make sure you’ve got the right staffing.
“Make sure you’ve got the right players, really support your women, because it’s going to be global and an opportunity not to be missed.”
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Ward is focused on securing WSL survival with the BluesCredit: Getty
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TITLE rivals Chelsea and Manchester City will go head to head in a battle for the WSL end of season awards.Blues boss Emma Hayes, and City chief Gareth Taylor have been nominated for the manager of the season award.
City and Chelsea personnel will battle it out for individual end of season awardsCredit: Getty
And Blues dynamic duo Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby will go up against City pair Sam Mewis and Chloe Kelly for the player of the season prize.
Hayes won the manager award last season and could make it a double this term after a phenomenal term with her team.
The Blues are still in with a shout to win the Champions League and are in touching distance of the WSL title which strengthens her claim to the prize.
City on the other hand were knocked out the European elite competition and are chasing Chelsea in the league so Taylor will be slightly behind Hayes in the running.
The quartet of players have all been prolific for their respective sides this season, which could make the player of the season award battle a-bit closer.
Fran Kirby and Sam Kerr have formed a deadly partnership that has seen them be compared to Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole.
They have created 10 goals between them so far, which has helped propel Kirby to the top of the WSL scoring charts this season.
Hayes won the best manager award last season and has been nominated againCredit: PA
But she will have to fend off opposition from Taylor who is also up for the awardCredit: Getty

The Aussie ace is locked into another battle with Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema for the goals prize, and the Dutch star also been nominated for the award.
But Kelly and Mewis have also played an integral role for City this season.
Forward Kelly has scored 14 goals in 33 appearances, and Mewis has netted the same amount in four less games from the midfield.
Although the nominees for both sides would appreciate the individual gongs, their focus will be on finishing the season collectively on a high.
The Blues are two points above City with two games left to go in the season and Taylor will do his best to overtake them, while Hayes will want her team to stay focused.
But the end of season awards may not go to the players or bosses of either side who face stiff competition from other WSL nominees.
Also in the running for player of the season, is Everton’s Izzy Christansen.
The English attacker has scored seven goals and provided five assists in 23 games this season.
Taylor and Hayes will go up against Birmingham City manager Carla Ward, Manchester United’s Casey Stoney and Brighton’s Hope Powell.
Voting started today and will close on Friday April 29 at midday.
Blues duo Fran Kirby and Sam Kerr will battle each other for the best player gong alongside City’s Mewis and KellyCredit: Getty
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ENGLAND’S most-capped player Fara Williams has announced she will retire from football at the end of the season.The 37-year-old took to Twitter to share the news just months after revealing her long-term battle with a kidney condition that nearly “broke” her.
Williams has drawn the curtain on her playing career after two decades on the pitchCredit: PA
Williams revealed she made the “difficult” decision despite an number of offers to keep playing.
The Reading ace said: “After much consideration & despite offers to remain within the game.
“I have made the difficult decision to retire from professional football at the end of the season.”
She took to Twitter to share the news
Despite leaving the game she’s played for two decades, the 172-cap Lionesses midfielder remained positive and said being able to play for so long was a pleasure and a privilege.
She added: “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have had a career of more than 20 years within the women’s game.”
Shortly after she broke the news, a ton of good luck messages and appreciation tweets flooded in.
The tributes were lead by Chelsea defender Millie Bright who called her a legend.
Bright wrote: “Enjoy retirement Fara, thank you for everything legend.”
This sentiment was echoed by the Women’s Super League, who called Williams “one of the greatest legends ever.”
They wrote: “One of the greatest legends of the #BarclaysFAWSL.
“You’ve been an inspiration to so many following our game.
“We will miss you. Best of luck for the future.”
Millie Bright and the WSL called the midfielder a legend
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand also offered his praise for Williams, congratulating her for being the country’s most capped player of all time.
He wrote: “Congrats on ya career… most capped international our country has seen!”
Royals boss Kelly Chambers also gave the midfielder her best wishes and said she’ll be missed at the club.
She said: “Fara will be missed on the pitch, but I wish her the very best in her next chapter.
Ferdinand also sent her a goodwill message
“I have no doubt she will be successful in whatever she chooses to do. Her knowledge of the game is second to none, as is the hunger and desire she has to learn and develop.
“She is a true idol to any young female football out there. On record I would like to thank Fara for everything she has done for me, the staff, the players and the club.”
Reading added their own tribute on their website, and said: “Reading Football Club would like to thank Fara Williams for her time as Royal.
“For the hard work and dedication she has given both the club and women’s football as a whole. A true legend and pioneer.”
She became England’s most capped player during her glittering careerCredit: PA
The Reading ace won a MBE in 2016 for her services to football and charityCredit: PA
She started her illustrious career with Chelsea as a teen before moving to Charlton Athletic for a brief spell.
Williams then went to Everton where she spent eight years, scoring an incredible 70 goals in 122 appearances.
She then risked the wrath of Toffees fans by joining Liverpool in 2012, when she also represented Team GB in the Olympics.
But her risk paid off and in 2013 she won the WSL title with the Reds and repeated the feat the following season.
A restless Williams then went to Arsenal in 2016 and picked up an MBE in the same year for her services to football and charity.
Then she made the final move of her club career when she joined Reading in 2017.
Unfortunately, Williams was forced to slow down after picking up a kidney condition in March 2020.
The Lionesses star discovered she had nephrotic syndrome in March 2020 following thigh surgery after a training injury.
The condition is caused by an excess leak of protein from blood into urine, and can lead to swelling in the legs and ankles.
MOST CAPPED ENGLAND PLAYERSThe most capped men and women England players of all-time
Fara Williams 172
Jill Scott 150
Karen Carney 144
Alex Scott 140
Casey Stoney 130
Peter Shilton 125
Kelly Smith 117
Wayne Rooney 120
David Beckham 115
Steven Gerrard 114
Bobby Moore 108
Ashley Cole 107
Bobby Charlton 106
Frank Lampard 106

She struggled to fully recover from the disease that has kept her sidelined, but can leave the game with her head held high after all her amazing achievements and accolades.
And after such a glittering playing career, it seems likely Williams could take a more hands on coaching role in the game.
She has already shown a keen interest in coaching and is currently working with England Women’s Under-17s as part of an FA Elite Coaching Programme.
A tragic kidney condition has kept her out of action over the past few yearsCredit: Instagram / @fara44
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