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      Reading Women release THIRTEEN players after going part-time following relegation from WSL

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      READING announced a mass exodus of players following Women’s Super League relegation as the club’s financial woes deepened.Thirteen stars, including six internationals, were released following the expiration of their contracts.
      Reading are set for a squad overhaul this summer following the departure of 13 senior playersCredit: PA
      Belgium midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet is among the players released by the Royals who are now a part-time sideCredit: AFP
      The departures come just three weeks after Royals CEO Dayong Pang said the team will go part-time following their relegation to the Women’s Championship in May.
      The majority leaving were members of Reading’s senior women’s squad who were managed by Kelly Chambers before her departure earlier this month. 
      They include goalkeeper Grace Moloney, highly-rated forward Deanne Rose and striker Amalie Eikeland, 27, who made her 100th Royals appearance last season. 
      The trio are set to represent the Republic of Ireland, Canada and Norway respectively at the Women’s World Cup next month. 
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      Other talents leaving the struggling club include Scotland full-back Emma Mukandi, 30, Wales defender Gemma Evans 26 and forwards Natasha Dowie and Emma Harries.
      Earlier this month Harries, 21, who joined the Royals’ academy at the age of eight, described their relegation as a “sad day for women’s football”. 
      In a tweet the former England Under-19 vice captain wrote that club staff “deserved so much better”.
      In a written statement the club described the situation as “a challenging period for the team, marked by the disappointment of relegation to the Barclays (Women’s) Championship” .
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      It stated: “A number of new contract offers were issued – but within the constraints of a part-time programme operating in the second tier of the women’s game”.
      Kelly Chambers left her role as head coach earlier this month following Reading’s relegation from the WSLCredit: Getty
      The exit of the majority of Reading’s women squad comes just two days after the club were served with a winding-up petition by HMRC.
      The petition is said to relate to unpaid tax bills. 
      This month the Royals were also charged by the EFL for failing to pay their men’s team players on time and in full on three occasions last season. More

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      Arsenal boost forward ranks with Canada ace Cloe Lacasse joining club before Women’s World Cup

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      ARSENAL have boosted their options in attack by signing Canada international Cloe Lacasse.The forward, 29, joins the Gunners on a permanent deal following a four-year spell at Portuguese side Benfica. 
      Arsenal’s newest forward Cloe Lacasse has been included in Canada’s provisional squad for the World CupCredit: Getty
      Lacasse won eight trophies with her former club Benfica including three top-flight titlesCredit: Getty
      Lacasse, who Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall describes as a “proven goalscorer” notched up 102 in 131 games for her former side. 
      The length of her deal with the Gunners, who finished third in the WSL last season, has not been publicly disclosed by the club. 
      Of her move to the WSL side, Lacasse said: “I feel ready mentally and physically to be able to contribute here and win titles.
      “I feel that this club has everything it takes to compete for the highest honours. 

      “I want to go to the next level and score goals here for Arsenal. I’m super excited and enthusiastic to get started here.”
      Eidevall added: “Cloe is a proven goalscorer and has shown her quality over a number of seasons in two European leagues as well as the Champions League. 
      “She will add a different dimension to our attacking game and I’m looking forward to working with her.”
      Lacasse began her youth career in Canada before a move to the USA in 2011 to play college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes 
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      The forward later moved to Europe signing for Icelandic club IBV in 2015. 
      She helped their team win the Icelandic League Cup and Women’s Football trophy in 2016 and 2017. 
      And Lacasse would later lift eight trophies with Benfica from 2019 to this year including three top-flight titles in Portugal. 
      Lacasse and her Canada team-mates are set to play England in a behind-closed-doors game on July 9Credit: Getty
      Lacasse, who has 19 caps, has been named in Canada’s provisional squad for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in July. 
      Players in the group managed by Bev Priestman include five WSL aces including Chelsea duo Kadeisha Buchanan and Jessie Fleming. 
      Priestman is set to name her final squad on July 9 five days ahead of a behind-closed-doors pre-tournament clash with England.  More

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      ‘There’s always a target on England’s back’, says Alessia Russo ahead of Lionesses’ World Cup test

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      ALESSIA RUSSO believes the Lionesses have a bullseye on their backs as they target World Cup glory following their Euros heroics. And the WSL star, 24, is relishing the competition for the starting striker place with Bethany England and Rachel Daly. 
      Alessia Russo is hoping England will bring their Euros-winning flair to the World CupCredit: PA
      The WSL star reckons training for the tournament has been perfect distraction from headlines concerning her futureCredit: PA
      Russo and Rachel Daly are among the Lionesses’ striker options along with Bethany EnglandCredit: Getty
      England’s clash against Portugal at Satdium MK on Saturday will be their final game on home soil before the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand commences on July 20.
      And Sarina Wiegman’s side, who are targeting back-to-back major tournament wins, will face Haiti two days later
      Russo, who helped her team become European champions last July, said: “There’s always a target on England’s back in football. 
      “We feel really good. It will be a completely different tournament.
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      “The Euros is behind us now and it was an incredible summer. 
      “We saw what we can do and now it’s time for us to come together on the world stage.”
      Russo is one of seven WSL aces in Wiegman’s forward ranks for the World Cup with the player scoring 10 goals in 20 top-flight games last term. 
      The group also includes England and Daly who were among the Women’s Super League’s top three finishers last term with Aston Villa ace Daly winning the Golden Boot. 
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      Russo added: “You’re always learning as a player and when I first came in, to have the likes of Ellen White there to learn from was incredible. 
      “Even now with Rach and Beth we are learning things off each other every day. 
      “Competition has been so high. Rachel and Beth, we’re all competing. 
      “They are top, top players so to be able to play with them and train with them every day has been great. The wingers too. 
      “There is so much competition all over the pitch but as a player that’s exactly what you want in the squad.”
      England’s opener on July 22 could see Russo play her first World Cup match against debutants Haiti in Group D in Brisbane, Australia. 
      The game at the 52,500-seater Suncorp Stadium comes 36 days after her Manchester United departure with the player linked to Arsenal following the expiration of her club contract in June.  
      Russo confirmed her Red Devils farewell in a tweet describing her exit after a three-year spell as the “hardest decision” she has ever made. 
      The England ace is thought to be closing in on a switch to the Gunners who reportedly had two record-breaking bids knocked back in January. 
      And aside from Arsenal Russo is also thought to have attracted interest from record Champions League winners Lyon and top tier sides in the United States
      Of the speculation, she added: “Towards the end of the season it was tough.
      “You don’t like things in the media about you but that’s football
       “There’s no nice time to sort things like that out.
      “But now I’m here it’s nice to have a full focus on a massive tournament coming up.”
      “Coming back into an environment like this is perfect because you’re competing and all your focus is on England.”
      This friendship is for life now and she’ll definitely be one of my bridesmaids one day.Alessia Russo on her friendship with Ella Toone
      The Lionesses’ clash with Haiti could see Russo in action with Ella Toone almost a year on from the duo helping England lift the Euros trophy at Wembley. 
      That 2-1 win over Germany last July saw Toone, 23 make history becoming the first Lioness to score at a Euros final at the stadium. 
      For Russo it was among the highlights of a friendship that goes back almost decade with their pair becoming during days in England’s Under-15s squad. 
      The Maidstone-born forward added: “We were friends before we played at United together, we’ve been friends since we were 12 or 13.
      “The friendship is for life now and she’ll definitely be one of my bridesmaids one day!
      “Ella is super talented and has no ceiling. Her potential is massive, it’s really cool to see.
      “We talk about the Euros all the time, about how special it is to go through a journey with someone and then achieve one of your dreams together.
      Russo ranks winning the Euros alongside her team-mate and pal Ella Toone as one of her favourite memoriesCredit: Reuters
      “There are loads of people who are really close in the team and that’s important because football is tough.
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      “Sometimes you have a bad day and you need to lean on someone and vice versa. 
      “When we are on the other side of the world it’s nice to have a little comfort there.” More

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      ‘Sport’s most fancied star’ Alisha Lehmann enjoys pre-World Cup training session as fans call for her to join their club

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      ALISHA LEHMANN has taken social media by storm as she prepares for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.And several fans are so impressed they are begging Lehmann, 24, to join their favourite club after the tournament ends in Australia and New Zealand.

      Alisha Lehmann took social media by storm as she prepares for the Women’s World CupCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Alisha will be playing for Switzerland in Australia and New ZealandCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7
      Alisha is working out in a World Cup training camp ahead of next month’s tournamentCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7
      The Aston Villa ace has linked up with the Swiss national team and is undergoing a rigorous training camp ahead of their World Cup opener against the Philippines on July 21.
      The ex-West Ham player shared two snaps of her working out on the pitch and attracted over 218,000 likes.
      Fans also flooded the comments’ section begging the forward to sign for their beloved teams.
      One fan posted: “Come to Arsenal pls.”
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      Another wrote: “COME TO TURKIYE GALATASARAY.”
      And a third commented: “Come to Chelsea …I love you.”
      This comes after Lehmann was named sport’s most fancied star earlier this month after a new study revealed the top 10.
      The Switzerland international was ranked ahead of the “world’s sexiest athlete” Alica Schmidt and tennis player Camila Giorgi.
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      A recent research ranked female athletes based on Google searches of their name followed by the word “hot”.
      Across the last two years, Lehmann came out on top with over 491,000 such searches.
      She was joined in the top 10 by Emma Raducanu, Serena Williams, Alex Morgan, Maria Sharapova, Paige VanZant, Danica Patrick and Ellyse Perry.
      Alisha plays for Aston Villa and fans want her to join their own teamCredit: https://www.instagram.com/alishalehmann7/
      Alisha was recently named sport’s most fancied starCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7
      Alisha beat a number of sports stars to reach the topCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7 More

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      Steph Houghton opens up on Lionesses omission and believes she will ‘not be playing for England again’

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      STEPH HOUGHTON described being left out of England’s squad before this year’s Women’s World Cup as “hard to take”. And the Manchester City skipper, 35, insists she did everything she had been asked in a bid to reclaim a spot in the national side. 
      Steph Houghton says she ‘never turn her back on her country’ but believes she may not play for England againCredit: Alamy
      The Manchester City captain was left out of Sarina Wiegman’s 23-strong squad for this year’s Women’s World CupCredit: Getty
      Houghton has not played for the Lionesses since February 2021Credit: Getty
      Houghton was sharing her thoughts in an interview with the Daily Mail with just under a month to go until the tournament starts in Australia and New Zealand. 
      The centre-back, who shone at times last term including during City’s 2-1 defeat of Arsenal in February, was left out of Sarina Wiegman’s squad for the contest. 
      Her omission follows a season which saw her net twice in 14 WSL appearances after re-establishing herself in City’s starting XI following her return from injury. 
      Houghton, who has 121 senior international caps, said: “I was disappointed because of how much effort I’d put into doing the things I was asked to do which was to get back into the City team, to play well and to play well against the best players.
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      “I spoke to the manager. She said firstly I need to get back into the team because I’d had a long period of time out.
      “I fought my way back. The next thing was to play well and to keep your shirt. 
      “From January on I’ve started every single game bar one. I feel as though I was in form, fit and ready to go. 
      “But sometimes it happens that you have a manager that doesn’t see you as part of their plans.”
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      Houghton, who was part of the side that reached the 2019 World Cup semis under Phil Neville, has not played for England since February 2021. 
      An ankle injury sustained during a Lionesses’ training camp in September that year led to her withdrawing before Wiegman’s first game in charge of the team. 
      The England captain’s armband was handed to Leah Williamson ahead of that match. 
      It was a World Cup qualifier the team would win 8-0 against North Macedonia before embarking on an unbeaten run that included an Arnold Clark Cup triumph last year. 
      The Arsenal defender has remained England’s captain since leading the side to a historic Women’s Euros win at Wembley last July. 
      Houghton was included by Wiegman in England’s Euros warm-up camp last summer before being cut from the gaffer’s provisional squad.
      And with three senior Lionesses picking up long-term knee injuries, including Gunners ace, Williamson some observers thought she may be in with a chance of a recall. 
      However the defender, who signed a one-year contract extension with Man City this month, did not make the cut ahead of the World Cup. 
      Of her chat with Wiegman in regard to being left out of the squad, Houghton added: “The conversation was very vague to be honest.
      “I think that’s what’s hard to take. I felt as though I could have brought something to the squad. 
      “I knew what the role would be — I wouldn’t be starting matches but I would have supported the girls one million per cent. 
      “I’m team first. But it’s the manager’s decision. I didn’t argue but I did say, ‘I’ve done everything you’ve asked us to do.
      “At that moment I think I was done with the whole situation. 
      “I’d been fighting with myself for 18 months to prove I can still play at that level. 
      “I think I did that but it was pretty clear from that conversation that I won’t be playing for England again.
      Houghton is set to enter her tenth year as Man City player next seasonCredit: Getty
      Houghton, who signed a one-year Man City contract extension this month, is approaching the tenth anniversary of her move to the club. 
      On whether she is tempted to end her international career, she added: “All I’ve ever wanted to do is play for my country. 
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      “It’s something I’ll have to think about over the summer.
      “I’d never turn my back on my country but I don’t know if I would put myself under that kind of pressure again.” More

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      Newcastle Women to turn professional in third tier after breaking crowd records at St James’ Park

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      NEWCASTLE WOMEN will become the first professional full-time outfit in the women’s game’s third tier next term. The move follows their promotion to the National League after being crowned Premier Division One North champions last season.
      Newcastle say Becky Langley’s players will receive “competitive salaries” from next seasonCredit: Getty
      The team are due to turn professional when they compete in third tier of the women’s game next termCredit: Getty
      According to the club their female players are due to receive “competitive salaries” and access to “professional treatment and injury prevention facilities”.
      It follows a season which saw them break attendance records at matches. 
      Head coach Becky Langley said: “This is a monumental moment for Newcastle United Women and the FA Women’s National League. 
      “We hope to be a leading light in the movement towards professionalism in the women’s game and inspire women and girls who dream of pursuing a career in football. 
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      “We have worked incredibly hard to get here.”
      In April Newcastle set a new crowd record for a women’s fourth tier clash when they thrashed Bradford.
      A total of 24,092 fans filled the stands at St James’ Park with the players hammering their rivals 6-1. 
      Last May they broke the previous record for crowd turnout at a Magpies women’s game when 22,134 fans flocked to the stadium to watch them.
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      Back then the team beat Alnwick Town Ladies 4-0 at the home of their Premier League counterparts
      And club co-owner Amanda Staveley watching was among the spectators watching from the stands. 
      Before then their previous club record crowd number stood at 2,754.
      This was the total number that watched their 1-0 loss to Ipswich Town in the FA Cup last January.
      However next season the team will continue to play home fixtures at Kingston Park. 
      The 10,200-capacity ground is shared with rugby sides Newcastle Falcons and Newcastle Thunder.
      Newcastle broke their attendance record for a women’s club game played at St James’ Park last seasonCredit: Getty
      Dan Ashworth, Newcastle’s sporting director, added: “The success of Newcastle United Women is an integral part of our sporting objectives and we are delighted to support the team’s progress by building a professional model around them.
      “Becky and the players have shown incredible dedication.
      “Turning full-time will enable them to fully concentrate on their careers and the next chapter of Newcastle United Women as fully supported professionals.”  More

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      Bethany England reflects on ‘big risk’ Tottenham move and ‘screaming house down’ after Lionesses recall

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      BETHANY ENGLAND has no regrets about her “big risk” decision to leave Chelsea for Tottenham. Her switch in January has paid off with the Spurs ace back in the Lionesses’ fold before the Women’s World Cup. 
      Bethany England’s displays for Tottenham led to the striker’s inclusion in the Lionesses’ squad for the World CupCredit: Getty
      England’s call-up came five months after she sealed a move Chelsea to Spurs in JanuaryCredit: Getty
      The England star has impressed for Spurs. Her 12 goals in as many games helped them avoid relegation last seasonCredit: Getty
      The WSL ace joined her international team-mates starting training this week before the team’s final friendlies and World Cup opener against Haiti on July 22.
      Reflecting on her reaction to getting back in the squad, England said: “I tried to play it nice and cool but I hung up the phone and screamed my house down. 
      “The first thing I did was ring my mum and my partner. 
      “Obviously I was elated, it’s been a long time since I’ve been back in this environment.
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      “It’s just a pleasure to be back here wearing the badge and I’m just excited for the summer.”
      England’s return to the national side follows a season that began with her struggling for a starting spot and more game time at the Blues. 
      The striker, who scooped the PFA’s women’s player of the year award in 2020, made just two starts in appearances for the WSL champions.  
      This coincided with her omission from Sarina Wiegman’s squad for friendly fixtures in October and November including a 2-1 win against the USA eight months ago.  
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      The Euros winner was also left out of squads that won this year’s Arnold Clark Cup and beat Brazil on penalties in the Women’s Finalissima. 
      England added: “It’s difficult being part of the highs of winning the Euros (last year), to being in a camp to then not being involved for knocking up to 10 months now.
      “It has been a difficult change and it’s hard because I’m seeing the team winning the Finalissma, the Arnold Clark Cup and that’s all moments I want to be a part of. 
      “But equally that’s the decision that was made, that’s life. 
      “Not everything goes your way. You can only control what you can control. 
       “All I could do was go to Spurs, make sure that I worked hard, trained hard and put in the performances on game day and I think I very much did that.” 
      Among the memorable goals England scored during her seven-year Chelsea spell was long-range screamer against Spurs at Stamford Bridge in 2019Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      Since her move after seven years at Chelsea, for a reported British transfer record fee of £250,000, England has shone for Tottenham.
      At times the team flirted with relegation last term with former boss Rehanne Skinner sacked after a run of nine successive losses
      However England’s 12 goals in 12 games helped Spurs win their WSL survival fight whilst paving the way for the striker’s Lionesses recall. 
      And her displays saw her finish as the third highest scorer in the league last term behind Khadija Shaw and Golden Boot winner Rachel Daly. 
      England said: “It was a big risk, I’d been at Chelsea for seven years, that was a big part of my professional career.
      “I didn’t really like the thought of change and it all happened so quickly. 
      “I could have stayed at Chelsea, I could have stayed on the bench in my comfort zone.
      “But then I’d have been watching other people going out there to Australia (to the World Cup) when I know that it’s something I would have regretted looking back on.
      Sarina WiegmanCredit: Reuters
      “At the back of my mind the World Cup was creeping up and I’d not been selected for a couple of camps leading into Christmas.
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      “Every player wants to be part of these big moments representing your country, going to big tournaments 
      “Change can be scary and I’ve never dealt well with change but luckily I hit the ground running and I’m just thankful that it turned out well.” More

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      ‘I’m playing with a smile on my face. A lot has changed for me since the Euros’, says England striker Rachel Daly

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      RACHEL DALY believes she is in the form of her career following a storming first season at Aston Villa before the World Cup. And the WSL’s Golden Boot winner is in “a better place mentally” following her move home after a decade playing in the USA.
      Rachel Daly hopes to replicate the form that won her the WSL’s Golden Boot when England compete in the World CupCredit: Reuters
      Daly has been included as one of seven forwards in Sarina Wiegman’s 23-strong Lionesses squadCredit: Alamy
      Daly netted 22 goals in 22 games for Aston Villa in the WSL last seasonCredit: Getty
      Daly was speaking on the first day of England’s training camp at St George’s Park a month before the start of their push for World Cup glory in Australia.
      The Leeds-born striker, previously deployed as a full-back by England boss Sarina Wiegman, has been on fire in front of goal. 
      Her form for Carla Ward’s Villa saw the team finish fifth in the Women’s Super League  with Daly bagging 22 goals in 22 games.  
      She said: “A lot has changed for me personally since the last tournament (the Euros.)
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      “I’ve moved home and I’ve been away for 10 years so I think mentally I’m in a way better place.
      “I needed to be home and playing in this league (the WSL) was something that I wanted to do and revisit again.”  
      The Lionesses’ will face Haiti in their Group D opener which comes just under a year after Daly’s Villa move following six seasons with Houston Dash. 
      In 2013 she swapped her career in England for a fresh challenge in the United States joining Los Angeles Strikers from Lincoln Ladies.  
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      She would go on to sign for Houston in 2016 captaining the team to their first trophy win when they lifted the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup.
      Daly’s Villa transfer last August following England’s Euros triumph proved to be a shrewd move for the WSL star
      Last season she scored 30 goals across all competitions last year with Villa achieving their highest ever finish in the top tier.
      Her ruthless form has seen her included as a forward in Wiegman’s squad a year on from playing as a full-back at the Euros.
      She adds: “I think you can all tell that I’m playing with a smile on my face and enjoying my football and long may that continue.
      “It’s been a good year for me, I can put it down to my happiness, the way  Carla (Ward) has given me freedom at the club to play my own sort of game. 
      “The team around me has been brilliant as has Sarina (Wiegman) at international level.
      “I’d probably say it’s the best season I’ve had in my career.
      Alessia Russo and Bethany England will be Daly’s main rivals for a number nine starting spot.
      Like Daly, both have been in fine form at club level with England racking up 12 goals in 12 games for Tottenham.
      Daly insists the competition for the Lionesses number nine spot is healthy between herself, Bethany England and Alessia RussoCredit: Getty
      Daly added: “The good thing is that we all push each other. It’s a completely healthy competition.
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      “There’s no ‘I’m the best’ we’re all great friends. We’re pushing each other, we’ll continue to push each other. 
      “I’ve got their back, they’ve got my back, it’s a really nice place to be.” More