London Bees

London Bees is an English women's football club affiliated with Barnet F.C. They play in the FA Women's Championship. The club has been in existence under several names since 1975, originally being called District Line Ladies F.C.. The team were re-branded as London Bees after joining the new WSL 2 for the 2014 season. The club have a first team and a youth academy; both train and play at the Hive Stadium.

London Bees
Full nameLondon Bees
Nickname(s)The Bees
Founded1975 (1975) (as District Line Ladies F.C.)
GroundThe Hive Stadium, Edgware
Capacity6,500 (5,419 seated)
ChairmanAnthony Kleanthous
ManagerLee Burch
LeagueFA Women's Championship
2019–20FA Women's Championship, 5th of 11
WebsiteClub website

History

The club began in 1975 as District Line Ladies FC, then merged with Wembley FC in 1993 to become Wembley Ladies FC. In 1997 the club moved to play at Hanwell Town FC but kept the Wembley Ladies name. In 1998, the club became affiliated with Barnet FC, amalgamating with the existing Barnet Ladies FC from the Greater London League to form Barnet FC Ladies.

In March 2010 Barnet F.C. Ladies were announced as an unsuccessful bidder for the FA Women's Super League.[1][2] In 2013, they were successful in their bid to join the WSL under their new name of London Bees for the 2014 season.

In the 2016 FA WSL summer season, London Bees became the first WSL 2 club to reach the semi-finals of the FA WSL Cup, after notable wins against Chelsea Ladies on penalties and Sheffield Ladies in their quarter-final fixture. They were later defeated in the semi-final by Birmingham City Ladies.

Current squad
As of 1 February 2021.[3]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  ENG Sarah Quantrill
2 FW  ENG Sophie Quirk (on loan from Reading)
3 DF  ENG Megan Alexander
4 DF  ENG Hayley West
5 DF  ENG Georgia Robert
6 DF  ENG Billie Brooks
7 FW  ENG Lauren Pickett
8 MF  ENG Bonnie Horwood
9 FW  FRA Marianne Taho
10 MF  ENG Brooke Nunn
11 MF  ENG Melisa Filis
12 MF  ENG Courtney Ward-Chambers
13 MF  ENG Sophie McLean
No. Pos. Nation Player
14 DF  ENG Georgina Giddings
15 MF  ENG Millie Constantine
16 MF  ENG Nicola Gibson
17 MF  WAL Charlie Estcourt
18 FW  ENG Mathilda Finburgh
19 DF  ENG Mollie Dench
20 FW  ENG Tricia Gould
21 MF  ENG Flo Gamby
22 MF  ENG Amelia Hazard
23 MF  ENG Merrick Will (captain)
24 GK  ENG Faye Hazleton
25 DF  WAL Evie Gane
26 MF  ENG Emily Donovan
33 DF  ENG Mia Cruickshank (on loan from West Ham United)

Current technical staff
First team manager Lee Burch in April 2017 while manager of Millwall Lionesses.

As of February 2019.

Position Name
General Manager Natahsha Kleanthous
First Team Manager Lee Burch
First Team Coach Sian Osmond
First Team Coach Karl Milgate
Goalkeeping Coach Craig Booth
S&C Coach Connor Lynch
Club Doctor DR Syed Altaf-Akhtar
Lead physiotherapist Luigi Cerullo
Physiotherapist Dimitris Michtatidis
Sports Psychologist Billy Docherty
Media & Communications Adam Rowe

Notable former players

Players who played for District Line Ladies, Wembley Ladies, Barnet FC Ladies or London Bees and received recognition at full international level

Former managers
Manager Dates
Rachel Yankey February 2019 - May 2019
Luke Swindlehurst July 2017 - February 2019
David Edmonson February 2016 - May 2017
Julian Broomes August 2014 - October 2015

Honours

Player honours
  • FA WSL 2 Golden Boot Award
    • Winner: Jo Wilson with 10 League goals in 2016
  • FA WSL 2 Player of the Month (April 2017/18)
    • Winner: Katie Wilkinson
  • FA Championship Player of the Month (January 2019/20)
    • Winner: Sarah Quantrill

Manager honours
  • LMA Women's Championship Manager of the Month (September 2019/20)
    • Winner: Lee Burch
  • LMA Women's Championship Manager of the Month (January 2019/20)
    • Winner: Lee Burch

References
  1. "Lincoln Ladies FA Women's Super League bid success". BBC. 22 March 2010. Archived from the original on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  2. Leighton, Tony (21 March 2010). "Lincoln City the surprise name in newly formed Women's Super League". London: The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  3. Rowe, Adam (21 August 2019). "Confirmed squad numbers 2019/20 season!". London Bees Official Website.
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