Middlesbrough W.F.C.
Middlesbrough Women Football Club are the women's side of Middlesbrough. Founded in 1976, they currently play their matches in the FA Women's National League North, with home games being played at Bedford Terrace, the home of Billingham Town
Full name | Middlesbrough Women Football Club[1] | ||
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Nickname(s) | The Boro | ||
Short name | MWFC | ||
Founded | 1976[1] | ||
Ground | Bedford Terrace, Billingham | ||
Chairman | Ben Fisher | ||
Manager | Steph Turnbull | ||
League | FA Women's National League North | ||
2019–20 | FA Women's National League North (season abandoned) | ||
Website | Club website | ||
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Middlesbrough WFC also have a reserve side competing in the FA Women's National League Division One North. Their home games are played at Middlesbrough College.[1]
History
Middlesbrough Women FC were formed in 1976. Originally known as Cleveland Spartans, they were coached in the early days by then Middlesbrough FC players Mark Proctor and David Hodgson.[2]
In 2001–02, Middlesbrough Women FC carried off the Northern Combination title for the first time and were promoted to the Northern Division of the Premier League, where they remained for four seasons. Since being back at Combination level, their best season came in 2010–11 when they finished third.
As a result of the restructuring of the FA Women's Premier League for the 2014–15 season, Middlesbrough Women FC competed in the newly formed FA Women’s Premier League Northern Division One where they finished 4th.[3] For the 2015–16 season, manager Lindsey Stephenson stated that the team's aim was promotion to the Premier League Northern Division.[4]
For the 2020-21 season, Middlesbrough Women FC will compete in the FA Women's National League Northern Division, the 3rd level of women's association football in England.
Club staff
As of 2 August 2018.[5]
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Managers
Steph Fairless (Turnbull) is the current First Team manager and coach (2019–20 season). She is also coach for the University of Teesside women's football team and Football Development Officer for North Riding County Football Association.[8]
Previous Middlesbrough First Team managers have included:
Kelsey Byrne, now FA Women's National Coach Developer for the North East and North West regions.
UEFA A qualified, Middlesbrough born, Gemma Grainger who progressed to work with the national England Women's set-up for The Football Association as U20's assistant coach.
Marrie Wieczorek (originally a talented central midfielder for the side) was the manager for some 20 years, during much of the early development of Middlesbrough WFC. She was welcomed back as club ambassador in January 2020 by newly appointed chairman Ben Fisher.
Players
Current squad
- As of 3 August 2020.[9]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Former players
Current Birmingham City and Women's Super League midfielder Emma Kelly is Middlesbrough Women's former club captain.
Local rivalry
Sunderland Ladies are a neighbouring team who played in the same league as Middlesbrough WFC- The Women's National League North. Norton and Stockton Ancients Ladies FC are another neighbouring team who have previously competed in the same league as Middlesbrough WFC (2015–16 season).
Trivia
On 2010, Middlesbrough Women Football Club went to North Korea and lost 2 friendly matches to 6-2 to April 25 SC and 5-0 to Kalmaegi. [10]
References
- "Middlesbrough Women F.C." middlesbroughwomenfc.co.uk. Middlesbrough WFC. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- "Marrie Wieczorek joy as Team GB women make history". Middlesbrough Evening Gazette Live Website. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
- "FA Women's Premier League: Northern Division One 2014/15". The Football Association Website. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
- "MFC Ladies". Middlesbrough Football Club Website. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
- "Staff". middlesbroughwomen.co.uk. Middlesbrough L.F.C. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
- "Chair Person". middlesbroughwomen.co.uk. Middlesbrough WFC. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
- "Goalkeeper Coach: George Gibson". middlesbroughwomen.co.uk. Middlesbrough L.F.C. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
- "MFC Ladies". Middlesbrough Football Club Website. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
- "Team". middlesbroughwomen.co.uk. Middlesbrough W.F.C. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
- ="Middlesbrough Ladies footballers back from North Korea". BBC. Retrieved 23 June 2020.