Women’s Super League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 163 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Melwood back under Liverpool ownership after Reds buy training ground for women’s side

      by

      LIVERPOOL have re-purchased their former training ground with the site to be used by the Reds Women’s Super League side. The club are reported to have paid £13 million for the facility which will also be used their girls’ academy and community projects. 
      Liverpool Women’s team will be training Melwood with the club buying the ground back after selling it in 2019Credit: PA
      The club’s girls’ academy will also be based at the site previously used by their Premier League playersCredit: Getty
      The ground, located in the city’s West Derby suburb, had been owned for 70 years by the club. before being sold to housing developers Torus in 2019. 
      Its sale was followed by Liverpool’s Prem team moving to their £50million AXA Training Centre in 2013. 
      The re-purchase of the ground will see the Reds’ women’s side move away from training at Tranmere’s site in the Wirral
      And officials says Melwood will serve as an “elite facility” for their women’s team and a “space for developing and retaining” top talents in the game.
      Read More Football Stories
      Club managing director, Andy Hughes, said: “This is a truly historic moment for Liverpool Football Club and the continued desire of the LFC Women’s board to elevate and develop our women’s first team and category one professional game academy. 
      “We’re absolutely delighted that we’ve managed to take this opportunity to return to Melwood and to see it start a new chapter of Liverpool’s commitment to our women’s first team and academy.”
      As well as repurchasing Melwood, Liverpool says its women’s crest will move to the official club crest.
      Liverpool say Melwood will also used as a space for community outreach projectsCredit: Getty
      They also hope to use the site to provide education to young people via the Fowler Education and Football Academy, established by club legend Robbie Fowler
      Most read in Football
      Hughes added: “We also have an opportunity to further develop the use of the site to support the local community by using it as an additional base for LFC’S Foundation. 
      “We also have an opportunity to further develop the use of the site to support the local community by using it as an additional base for LFC’S Foundation.” More

    • 175 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Amandine Henry recalled to France squad by Herve Renard ahead of Women’s World Cup

      by

      AMANDINE HENRY  has been recalled to France’s national side after an absence of two years. The former Le Bleues skipper, 33, has been included in Herve Renard’s provisional squad before the start of the Women’s World Cup in July. 
      Amandine Henry has been named in Herve Renard’s 26-strong provisional squad ahead of the World Cup in JulyCredit: AFP or licensors
      The Angel City midfielder was left out of France’s squad before last summer’s Euros by former boss Corinne DiacreCredit: AFP
      The midfielder’s inclusion follows her switch from Lyon to US top tier side Angel City this month after a 14-year spell at the club. 
      Following his squad announcement, Renard, 54, told reporters: “Having her (in the group) was one of my main intentions. 
      “With her little problem with Lyon, now resolved, we helped her along a lot so that she would be available for the preparation for the World Cup.”
      Renard’s 26-strong squad currently includes five WSL aces with Aston Villa’s Kenza Dali, Chelsea defender Eve Perisset and West Ham forward Viviane Asseyi all named. 

      Manchester United’s Aissatou Tounkara and Estelle Cascarino have also been called up. 
      However Irons centre-back Hawa Cissoko misses out ten months after being included in the squad before last summer’s Euros. 
      And the team will be without the services of Paris-Saint Germain striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Lyon’s Delphine Cascarino due to thigh and ACL injuries. 
      Henry’s return comes nearly three years after the midfielder described the atmosphere under former gaffer Corinne Diacre during the 2019 World Cup as “total chaos”
      Most read in Football
      Henry’s recall comes two months after Diacre was sacked from her role as France head coachCredit: Reuters
      The France star, who has won 12 top-flight titles and seven Champions League medals with her squad, was left out of Diacre’s squad before last year’s Euros. 
      The ex-France boss was fired in March after a number of players announced their intend to stand down from international duty.
      National captain Wendi Renard, forward Kadidiatou Diani and Katoto were among the players who had temporarily stood  down. 
      In an interview with French outlet Telefoot Diani said it was important for team-mates to have “something new”.
      France will begin their campaign to win the World Cup with a Group D opening fixture against Jamaica at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia on July 23. 
      Aston Villa playmaker Kenza Dali is among five WSL stars included in Renard’s squadCredit: Getty
      It will see Renard’s side, currently ranked the fifth best in the world, play their first game in a major tournament under their new boss. 
      Henry’s return to the side comes ahead of France’s pre-World Cup friendly fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Australia on the 6th and 14th of July. 
      Their clash with the former could see Henry, who has 93 senior international caps, return to match action for France for the first time since December 2020.
      France Women’s provisional World Cup squadGoalkeepers:
      Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (Juventus), Mylene Chavas (free agent), Constance Picaud (Paris Saint-Germain), Solene Durand (Guingamp).
      Defenders: 
      Sakina Karchaoui (Paris Saint-Germain), Eve Perisset (Chelsea), Wendie Renard (Lyon), Estelle Cascarino (Manchester United), Elisa De Almeida (Paris Saint-Germain), Maelle Lakrar (Montpellier), Aissatou Tounkara (Manchester United)
      Midfielders: 
      Laurina Fazer (Paris Saint-Germain), Grace Geyoro (Paris Saint-Germain), Amandine Henry (Angel City) Kenza Dali (Aston Villa), Oriane Jean-Francois (Paris Saint-Germain), Lea Le Garrec (Fleury), Amel Majri (Lyon), Sandie Toletti (Real Madrid)
      Forwards:
      Kadidiatou Diani (Paris Saint-Germain),  Vivane Asseyi (West Ham), Eugenie Le Sommer (Lyon), Clara Mateo (Paris FC), Naomie Feller (Real Madrid), Vicki Becho (Lyon) More

    • 188 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Reading Women’s team to go part-time after their relegation from the WSL to second tier

      by

      READING WOMEN will go part-time following the team losing their battle for WSL survival at the end of last season.The Royals were relegated to the second tier in May after a run of 17 losses from 22 WSL games.
      Reading are switching to a part-time operating model following their drop into the Women’s ChampionshipCredit: PA
      Kelly Chambers’ Royals’ side were relegated from the WSL following their loss to Chelsea on the final day of last seasonCredit: Getty
      The club says the financial commitments needed for their women’s side to meet FA requirements has “grown exponentially in recent years”. 
      They also stated their relegation from the WSL will “result in a significant drop in broadcast fees and central funding from the FA”. 
      Last term the Royals accrued 11 points from three wins and two draws with the team returning to the Women’s Championship for the first time since 2015 
      And their drop followed Reading’s men’s side’s relegation to League One following a six-point deduction in April after a breach of EFL financial rules. 
      Read More Football Stories
      Before their relegation the Royals had been the only team in the Women’s Super League who were not affiliated to a Premier League club. 
      In a statement published on their web site Reading said their owner Dai Yongge has been funding the former WSL outfit from his own pocket since 2018.
      They say the Chinese businessman “needed to provide just under £1million to finance” the women’s team last season. 
      Yongge was also stated to have personally invested £6million in the WSL outfit since 2018.
      Most read in Football
      Royals CEO Dayong Pang said: “Difficult but necessary financial decisions are being made across the business following the club’s relegation to League One last season. 
      “After discussions with the FA, the decision to operate Reading FC Women on a part-time basis represents the most viable solution at the present time
      “We would like to acknowledge all of the hard work and unquestionable dedication to Reading Football Club of Kelly Chambers and her coaching staff, the players and all the staff.
      “The club will now be working extremely hard to build a team to proudly represent our town in the WSL Championship in the 2023-24 campaign.”

      A number of WSL stars past and present have been reacting to the news with dismay.
      In a tweet published today Lionesses legend Fara Williams stated she was “gutted for staff and players”.
      The midfielder, now a pundit who made 67 Royals appearances, also wrote she was “devastated” to see this happen to her former side. More

    • 238 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Steph Houghton signs new Manchester City contract with captain close to marking a decade at the club

      by

      STEPH HOUGHTON has sealed a new deal with Manchester City almost a decade on from joining the WSL giants from Arsenal.  The contract extension for the Citizens captain, 35, who is City Women’s record-appearance holder, runs until next summer. 
      Steph Houghton’s new deal will see her spell at Manchester City reach the ten-year mark in NovemberCredit: PA
      Houghton’s contract extension comes a week after team-mate Khadija Shaw penned a new deal with the club
      It will see the centre-back, left out of England’s squad for this year’s World Cup, reach her tenth anniversary at the club in November.
      Her new deal comes almost a week on from striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw committing her future to Man City for the next two years. 
      Houghton, who has made 233 City appearances, said: “When I first joined, I just wanted to be here as long as I could, and to play at the top level, so I never really put a number on it.
      “Once you get closer to that decade mark though, you do think about the idea of hitting that milestone. 

      “I feel good in myself and my body, and I’m really enjoying my football, so it was an easy decision for me in all honesty. 
      “On and off the pitch, I feel as though I’ve got a lot to give in terms of my expertise and experience with the rest of the girls, and I’ll be continuing to support everyone as much as I can.
      “Ultimately though, my happiness has always been the most important thing for me in my career.
      “I am so happy to be sitting here with another year in City blue to come.
      Most read in Football
      “Manchester City has been my home for almost ten years, and I love everything about it – it’s my club, and to sign for another year, I’m absolutely buzzing.”
      Houghton began her senior playing career at Sunderland in 2002.
      She spent five years at the side before silverware-winning spells at Leeds and then Arsenal before her City move in 2013. 
      The Durham-born centre-back has lifted 15 major domestic trophies, including eight with the Citizens who finished fourth in the WSL last term. 
      Among Houghton’s silverware wins with Man City are one WSL title, three FA Cups and four Continental Tyres trophies. 
      Head coach Gareth Taylor added: “Steph is such a huge part of the club as a whole and the impact she has had during her time here so far – whether it be on or off the pitch – is testament to that. 
      “She is such an important member of our squad and her experience is invaluable. 
      “She is the consummate professional, with her team mentality at the forefront of everything that she does. 
      “Over 230 appearances and eight trophies show exactly how important she has been to the growth of this club.
      “The fact that she will surpass a decade of service with this new deal is thoroughly deserved. 
      “Her hunger and desire to win and succeed is something that makes her one of the game’s legends.”
      Houghton’s new contract comes five days after the former England captain was left out of Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses’ squad for the World Cup this summer. 
      The England boss said the centre-back had been the topic of conversations she had with her technical staff concerning player selection.
      Houghton and her City team-mates finished fourth in the WSL last termCredit: Reuters
      Houghton’s contract extension follows a season which has saw her net twice in 14 top-flight appearances for City.
      On the international stage the WSL ace has played in five major tournaments including the 2019 World Cup and has 121 senior caps.
      Read More on The Sun
      Next term will see Houghton and her team-mates battle to reclaim a Champions League spot as well as attempting to win their first WSL title since 2016
      Last season they missed out on a top three WSL finish top required to qualify to compete in the Champions League. More

    • 213 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      Bronze hails Barcelona’s ‘crazy feat’ as Guijarro shines in their Women’s Champions League final win against Wolfsburg

      by

      LUCY BRONZE never doubted Barcelona could pull off a second-half fightback to stun Wolfsburg in the Women’s Champions League final.After a first-half fright they stormed to a 3-2 victory with the full-back lifting the contest trophy for a fourth time. 
      Barcelona became Women’s Champions League winners for the second time following their triumph in 2021Credit: Getty
      Lucy Bronze lifted the trophy for the fourth time in her career and became the first English woman to win it with two clubsCredit: Getty
      Patri Guijarro netted twice in two minutes after Barcelona went 2-0 down against WolfsburgCredit: Getty
      Keira Walsh described Guijarro as a special player after becoming a Champions League winner for the first time in her careerCredit: Getty
      Patri Guijarro shone bagging a two-minute double with Barcelona thwarting Wolfsburg’s hopes of a hat-trick of final wins in the competition.
      Their triumph led to Bronze becoming the first Englishwoman to lift the trophy with two different clubs following three previous victories with her former club Lyon. 
      It also saw Keira Walsh win her first Champions League medal following her transfer record-breaking switch from Manchester City last September.   
      Bronze said: “I don’t think we were ever worried about us scoring three goals, which is a crazy feat to do.

      “But that’s the talent of this team. 
      “You’ve seen the two finals Barcelona have lost where they’ve been heavily beaten by Lyon.
      “Once it was two goals (down against us) we shut up shop. 
      “We made it really difficult defensively and created loads of chances in attack.”
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      Walsh added: “If there’s any team that can overturn a 2-0 deficit it’s this team and that’s what we did.
      “Patri Guijarro is a special, special player, for me the best player in the world.
      “It’s been a pretty good year, winning the Euros and the Champions League.
      “If someone was to tell me this was going to happen I wouldn’t believe them.”
      Coming into this game, Jonatan Giraldez’s team were considered the favourites having reached last year’s final brushing Wolfsburg aside in the semis. 
      But they suffered a scare in the third minute with Bronze, back in action following knee surgery in April, dispossessed by Ewa Pajor. 
      Seconds later the striker slammed the ball past goalkeeper Sandra Panos with Barcelona conceding a third minute goal – their earliest ever in the contest. 
      Ewa Pajor and Alexandra Popp both netted minutes to give Wolfsburg a 2-0 lead by the 37th minuteCredit: AP
      Stunned by that moment the Liga F champs looked to hit back immediately with Salma Paralluelo blazing over before Irena Paredes headed wide.  
      After weathering pressure, with Lena Oberdorf making some brave blocks, Wolfsburg made some rare forays forward.
      And they went 2-0 up against the run of play with Pajor teeing up Alexandra Popp’s headed finish near half time. 
      The second spell saw Barcelona turn the game on its head with Guijarro’s two-minute brace. 
      The midfielder fired home at the near post two minutes before heading in a 50th minute effort leaving their rivals shocked.
      Fridolina Rolfo rifled a shot at Wolfsburg goalkeeper Merle Frohms moments later, with Pajor testing Panos in the 70th minute. 

      And Wolfsburg’s dream start became a nightmare finish as Rolfo punished a defensive error to slam home a tournament-winning goal.
      Her finish saw the LaLiga Women’s champs title holders become the queens of club football in Europe for the second time. 
      Fridolina Rolfo fired home Barcelona’s third as they completed a second-half fightbackCredit: AP More

    • 238 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Glamorous Aston Villa star Alisha Lehmann shows off her bum in bikini as she soaks up sun on holiday

      by

      ASTON VILLA star Alisha Lehmann showed off her bum in a bikini while on holiday. The glamorous footballer soaked up the sun while on holiday in Miami.
      Alisha Lehmann stunned in a blue bikiniCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7
      The Aston Villa attacker flaunted her curvesCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7
      Lehmann also posted a selfie while on holidayCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7
      She has been hailed by fans as “perfect”Credit: Instagram @alishalehmann7
      Lehmann took to Instagram to post a stunning snap of her in blue swimwear.
      She looked over a harbour while flaunting her incredible curves.
      The 24-year-old also uploaded two close-up selfies as fans got another treat.
      Supporters were left in awe of her, one said: “So perfect.”
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL

      Another commented: “The most beautiful woman.”
      Lehmann is no stranger to wowing her 13.3million followers, previously wearing a daring see-through dress.
      And she recently hit back at trolls when they questioned her footballing talents.
      The Swiss attacker netted five goals for Villa in the Women’s Super League season.
      Most read in Football
      She used to play for West Ham and Everton.
      Lehmann has dated international team-mate Ramona Bachmann and Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.
      Alisha Lehmann has been relaxing after the WSL seasonCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7
      She scored five goals this seasonCredit: Instagram / @alishalehmann7
      Alisha Lehmann has a staggering 13.3million folllowersCredit: Instagram / @alishalehmann7
      Lehmann plays for Aston VillaCredit: Getty More

    • 188 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Arsenal ace Janssen wants Barcelona to face ‘hardest possible’ Women’s Champions League battle with Wolfsburg

      by

      DOMINIQUE JANESSEN is relishing Wolfsburg being seen as the underdogs in their Champions League final clash with Barcelona. The Netherlands defender and her team-mates will battle their rivals on Saturday with their side aiming to win the contest for a third time.
      Dominique Janssen and her side will face a tough test from Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League finalCredit: EPA
      Lucy Bronze and her Barca team-mates won 29 of their 30 games in Spain’s top-flight this seasonCredit: Reuters
      Saturday’s final could see Barcelona’s Keira Walsh lift the Champions League trophy for the first time in her careerCredit: Getty
      In their previous encounters Wolfsburg have been the dominant side winning four of their past five matches. 
      However their most recent meeting saw the Catalan side knock the German club out of last year’s semis which included a 5-1 first-leg demolition at Camp Nou.
      Janessen said: “It’s something different and it’s good that we’re not always in the favourite role. 
      “We’re comfortable right now. We just want to do the best we can and we’re going to try to give Barcelona the hardest time possible.
      Read More Football Stories
      “Barcelona are a pretty good team – tactical, technical – so it won’t be an easy game.
      “We have a really good plan but we need to be 100% focused.”
      The 3:00 pm duel at PSV Eindhoven’s stomping ground in the Netherlands is set to be watched by a sell-out 35,000-strong crowd. 
      The use of Philips Stadion as the final’s venue brings back warm memories for Janssen who recalls watching her first professional game at the stadium. 
      Most read in Football
      Janssen, who made 100 Gunners appearances before her 2019 Wolfsburg switch, added: “This game is pretty special as I remember my first pro game I attended was at this stadium. 
      “It is also very close for my family to come to, so it is one of the most important games in my career.
      “The journey has been pretty amazing and tomorrow I hope we can celebrate.”
      Wolfsburg’s clash with Barcelona will see Tommy Stroot’s side attempt to lift the trophy a decade on from winning it for the first time.
      Janssen helped Arsenal to win their third WSL title in 2019 before joining WolfsburgCredit: Getty – Contributor
      In 2013 they beat Lyon 1-0 in the decider at Stamford Bridge. 
      Back then their contest-winning side featured Germany star Alexandra Popp.
      The Wolfsburg captain is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world having netted 61 goals in 127 senior appearances for Germany.
      The Frauen Bundesliga ace, 32,  has scored 16 goals in 21 top-flight games this season with her team pipped to an eighth top-flight crown by Bayern Munich. 
      Popp said: “We always have gone quite far, and that shows the work in this club. 
      Alexandra Popp is hoping Wolfsburg can win the Champions League ten year’s on from their first triumph in the contest finalCredit: Getty
      “The way they build the squad every year is great and it shows how the coach and the team work together, how the football has developed. 
      “”n 2013 we just played forward balls; now we play football, which is nice to see.
      Read More on The Sun
      “We are very well prepared for the game and it won’t be like the first leg last year (in the semi-finals).”
      Barcelona vs. Wolfsburg in the Women’s Champions League final can be watched live from 3:00pm on Saturday 3 June DAZN’s YouTube channel. More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Frida Maanum pens new deal with Arsenal following her trophy-winning second season with the Gunners’ WSL side

      by

      FRIDA MAANUM has signed a new contract with Arsenal’s WSL side almost two years after her move to the north London giants. The Norway midfielder’s new deal follows a standout second season with the club who she helped to a Conti Cup win in March. 
      Frida Maanum’s new deal follows a season which saw the Norway ace impress for Arsenal in European and domestic gamesCredit: Getty
      Maanum helped the Gunners to win their first trophy under head coach Jonas Eidevall with the team lifting the league cup this yearCredit: PA
      The length of her contract with the Gunners, who finished third in the WSL this season, has not been publicly disclosed by the club.
      Since her July 2021 switch from Swedish side Linkopings, Maanum has made 78 appearances for Jonas Eidevall’s team. 
      This term the midfielder notched up 16 goals and nine assists in 38 games across all competitions.
      Of her new deal, Maanum said: “It feels great – I love Arsenal and I’m looking forward to continuing my time here. 
      Read More Football Stories
      “This is a place where I can develop and learn from the players around me and take steps both on and off the pitch. 
      “We’ve had some really special moments this season and the connection with our supporters has been fantastic, so I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.”
      In a season in which Arsenal struggled with injuries to key players including Kim Little, Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema, Maanum has become a formidable part of attack
      This includes netting 14 times in 32 WSL and Women’s Champions League appearances 
      Most read in Football
      Her goals include a stunning top corner finish in Arsenal’s 2-0 second-leg Champions League quarter-final defeat of Bayern Munich at the Emirates in March. 
      Maanum’s effort saw her nominated for PFA and Barclays Player of the Season awards with the midfielder named Arsenal Women’s Supporters’ Club outstanding performer. 
      Maanum has emerged as a favourite amongst Arsenal fans this termCredit: Getty
      Gunners head coach Eidevall added: “Frida has been one of the outstanding performers in world football this season and we’re delighted that she has agreed a new deal with us. 
      “Since joining us two seasons ago, Frida has developed into a wonderful player and has contributed an impressive number of goals and assists this year. 
      “I believe there is a very high ceiling for what Frida can achieve in the game and I’m so pleased she will continue to wear Arsenal colours moving forward.” More