Bristol City W.F.C.
Ashton Gate, Bristol | ||||
Chairman | Gavin Marshall | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manager | Lauren Smith | |||
League | Women's Super League | |||
2022–23 | Women's Championship, 1st of 12 (promoted) | |||
Website | Club website | |||
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Bristol City Women's Football Club is a women's
History
Early years
The team was founded in 1998, following a
The team, like their male counterparts at Bristol Rovers, were somewhat
The name of the club was changed to Bristol Academy at the beginning of the 2005–06 season to reflect the increased involvement of the Bristol Academy of Sport with the club. The team continued to play in the blue and white quarters of Bristol Rovers however, and also retained the nickname The Gas Girls, an acknowledgement of Rovers' unofficial nickname of The Gas.
In summer 2009 the club had a funding crisis. Manager Gary Green was sacked,
The club were one of eight founding teams in the
In 2013 the club signed a sponsorship agreement with Bristol City FC and changed their home kit from blue to red,[9] and three years later the club was renamed Bristol City Women's Football Club.[10]
In July 2018, the club named Tanya Oxtoby its new manager, moving into the position from being an assistant with Birmingham City W.F.C.[11]
League history
It took just two seasons to gain promotion to the
Tony Ricketts also achieved league success, with the team winning the Southern Division in the 2002–03 season and earning promotion to the
In the 2006–2007 season, the club reached the top spot in November (though defending champions
Bristol City Women finished 2nd in
They were relegated in the 2020–21 season to the FA Women's Championship where they finished third in their first season back in the second tier.
The 2022–23 season saw Bristol City win their first ever league title and, with it, promotion back to the WSL.
Cup history
In the short history of the team they have reached the
In 2011 the club reached the final of the FA Cup after a 3–0 semi-final win over
The team dominated the Gloucestershire FA Women's Challenge Cup in their early days, winning the trophy eight times in their first nine seasons. The only failure to win the competition came in the 2003–04 season when they were beaten in the final by the original Bristol City W.F.C., their first ever defeat to their cross-city rivals. Following the 2006–07 win the first team stopped competing in the tournament, although their junior teams continued taking part.
They did reach the final of the Continental Tyres League Cup Final in the 2020-21 season but were defeated by Chelsea FC.
UEFA competitions
- For a detailed international record see English women's football clubs in international competitions
Because of the new WSL, England's
Season by season
Season | League | Position | FA Cup | League CupA | Other | Manager |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bristol Rovers W.F.C. | ||||||
1998–99 | South West Combination | 2nd | Gloucestershire Cup winners | Billy Gornicki-Bond | ||
1999–00 | South West Combination | 2nd | Third round | Gloucestershire Cup winners | ||
2000–01 | South West Combination | 1st (promoted) |
Semi-final | Gloucestershire Cup winners | Dave Bell | |
2001–02 | Premier League Southern Division |
2nd of 12 | Fourth round | First round | Gloucestershire Cup winners | Tony Ricketts |
2002–03 | Premier League Southern Division | 1st of 11 (promoted) |
Semi-final | Quarter-final | Gloucestershire Cup winners | |
2003–04 | Premier League National Division | 8th of 10 | Semi-final | Semi-final | Tony Ricketts Ivor Gumm | |
2004–05 | Premier League National Division | 5th of 10 | Semi-final | Quarter-final | Gloucestershire Cup winners | Gary Green |
Bristol Academy W.F.C. | ||||||
2005–06 | Premier League National Division | 5th of 10 | Quarter-final | Quarter-final | Gloucestershire Cup winners | Gary Green |
2006–07 | Premier League National Division | 4th of 12 | Semi-final | Second round | Gloucestershire Cup winners | |
2007–08 | Premier League National Division | 4th of 12 | Fourth round | Third round | ||
2008–09 | Premier League National Division | 8th of 12 | Quarter-final | Second round | ||
2009–10 | Premier League National Division | 12th of 12 | Fourth round | Quarter-final | Granted WSL licence[16] | Mark Sampson |
2011 | Women's Super League |
5th of 8 | Runners-up | First round | 2011–12 Champions League: First round | |
2012 | Women's Super League | 4th of 8 | Semi-final | Semi-final | ||
2013 | Women's Super League | 2nd of 8 | Runners-up | Group stage | ||
2014 | WSL 1 |
7th of 8 | Fifth round | Group stage | 2014–15 Champions League: Quarter-final | Dave Edmondson |
2015 | WSL 1 | 8th of 8 (relegated) |
Fifth round | Quarter-final | Dave Edmondson Lauren Smith[17] Willie Kirk | |
Bristol City W.F.C. | ||||||
2016 | WSL 2 |
2nd of 10 (promoted) |
Fourth round | First round | Willie Kirk | |
2017 | WSL 1 |
8th of 9 | Quarter-final | N/AB | ||
2017–18 | WSL 1 | 8th of 10 | Fourth round | Quarter-final | ||
2018–19 | Women's Super League | 6th of 11 | Fifth round | Group stage | Tanya Oxtoby | |
2019–20 | Women's Super League | 10th of 12 | Fifth round | Group stage | ||
2020–21 | Women's Super League | 12th of 12 (relegated) |
Fourth round | Runners-up | Tanya Oxtoby Matt Beard | |
2021–22 | Women's Championship |
3rd of 12 | Fourth round | Quarter-final | Lauren Smith | |
2022–23 | Women's Championship | 1st of 12 (promoted) |
Fifth round | Quarter-final | ||
2023–24 | Women's Super League | Fourth round | Group stage |
^B There was no WSL Cup tournament during the 2017 WSL Spring Series
Stadium
After having played at a number of different grounds, the team finally got their own home in 2011 when they moved into the newly built Stoke Gifford Stadium at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, WISE Campus in North Bristol. It was the first stadium in the UK to be developed specifically for a women's football team,.[18][19] They stayed here until the end of the 2019-20 season. After this league requirements saw a move to Twerton Park and a groundshare with Bath City FC. The robins only stayed here for one season before they relocated to the Robins High Performance Centre for the start 2021-22 season. Multiple games have also been played at Ashton Gate stadium.
The club record attendance came in April 2023 when 7,045 spectators watched Bristol City against Charlton Athletic in the FA Women's Championship at Ashton Gate.
The club announced that all home matches would be played at
Players
Current squad
- As of 25 January 2024[21]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Club Staff
Position | Staff Member | ||
---|---|---|---|
Chairman | Gavin Marshall | ||
Head Coach | Lauren Smith | ||
Assistant Coach | Natalie Haigh | ||
Assistant Coach | Loren Dykes | ||
First Team Goalkeeping Coach | James White | ||
Lead Physiotherapist | Tom Cresswell | ||
Sports Therapist | Jess Wells | ||
Lead Physical Performance Coach | Erika Mole | ||
Strength and Conditioning Coach | Jack Instrall | ||
First Team Analyst | Calvin Strong | ||
Academy Manager | James Thomas | ||
U21s Head Coach | Charlie Mitchell | ||
U21s Goalkeeper Coach |
| ||
Club Chaplain | Esther Legg-Bagg |
Team honours
- 2022–23
- FA Women's Premier League Southern Division: 1
- 2000–01
- Gloucestershire FA Women's Challenge Cup: 8
- 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07
Club records
Highest league finish position: 2nd in Women's Super League 2013 as Bristol Academy W.F.C
Lowest league position: 3rd in
Highest points total in a season - 48 (2022/23
Lowest points total in a season - 12 (2020/21 Women's Super League)
Most league wins in a season - 15 (2022/23
Fewest league wins in a season - 2 (2019/20 Women's Super League)* Season cut short due to Covid-19
Most league defeats in a season - 14 (2023/24 Women's Super League)
Fewest league defeats in a season - 3 (2022/23
Most league draws in a season - 6 (2020/21 Women's Super League)
Fewest league draws in a season - 1 (2017/18 Women's Super League)
Most league goals scored in a season - 43 (2021/22
Fewest league goals scored in a season - 9 (2019/20 Women's Super League) * Season cut short due to Covid-19
Most league goals conceded in a season - 72 (2020/21 Women's Super League)
Fewest league goals conceded in a season - 12 (2022/23
Biggest win - 7-1 Vs
Biggest defeat - Arsenal Women 11–1 Bristol City Women - December 1, 2019
Highest scoring match - Arsenal Women 11–1 Bristol City Women - December 1, 2019
Highest transfer fee paid -
Highest transfer fee received - £25,000 Ebony Salmon to Racing Louisville FC (January 2021)
Most goals in a season by a player - Abi Harrison - 21 (2021/22
Youngest player - 16 years and 44 days -
Oldest player - 35 years and 315 days - Rachel Furness (Vs Aston Villa W.F.C. Women's Super League, 12 November 2023)
Fastest goal -
Most goals by a player in a match - 2 - Shania Hayles/Millie Farrow/Abi Harrison/Ffion Morgan/Ebony Salmon/Grace Clinton
Youngest goalscorer - 16 years and 44 days -
Oldest goalscorer - 35 years and 139 days Rachel Furness (Vs Arsenal F.C. Women's Super League, 22 October 2023)
Most league matches won in a row - 5 (February 8, 2023 to March 12, 2023)
Most league matches lost in a row - 6 (January 14, 2018 to April 18, 2018)
Most league matches without a win - 13 (November 12 2023 to April 15, 2024)
Most home leagues games without a win - 13 (31 March 2019 - 30 January 2021)
Most away matches without a win - 16 (13 September 2020 - 21 November 2021)
Most league matches without defeat - 8 - (December 5, 2022 - March 19, 2021)
Most home league matches without defeat - 6 (17 November 2018 - 24 March 2019)
Most away league matches without defeat - 8 (May 1, 2022 - March 19, 2023)
Most league matches without conceding a goal - 4 (February 12, 2023 to March 12, 2023)
Most league matches without a goal - 5 (February 10 2019 to April 21 2019)
Highest attendance - 14,138 Vs
Lowest attendance - 287 Vs Southampton F.C. Women - 11 December 2022
Highest average attendance - 1,695 (2022//23,
- * denotes current season
- ** Includes 4 games played at Ashton Gate Stadium(not designated home venue)
Most appearances:
- Grace McCatty - 141
- Loren Dykes - 120
- Frankie Brown - 117
- Jasmine Matthews - 115
- Abi Harrison - 113
- Corinne Yorston - 96
- Siobhan Chamberlain - 93
- Sophie Baggaley - 90
- Flo Allen - 87
- Carla Humphrey - 86
- Aimee Palmer - 84
- Angharad James - 82
- Naomi Layzell - 78
- Gemma Evans/Jemma Rose - 74
- Yana Daniëls - 71
- Ella Powell - 70
- Ffion Morgan - 64
- Jesse Woolley - 60
- Laura del Río - 57
- Danique Kerkdijk - 51
- Fran Bentley - 50
All time top goal-scorers:
- Abi Harrison - 39
- Natalia Pablos - 22
- Laura del Río - 20
- Ebony Salmon - 18
- Millie Farrow/Natasha Harding/Shania Hayles - 14
- Lucy Graham- 12
- Claire Emslie/Lauren Hemp -11
- Corinne Yorston/ Ffion Morgan - 10
- Jess Fishlock/ Jemma Rose/Chloe Bull/Amalie Thestrup - 9
- Aggie Beever-Jones/Yana Daniëls/Charlie Wellings - 7
Most games scored in a row - 9 - Abi Harrison (October 10, 2021 - January 16, 2022)
Most Clean sheets
- Sophie Baggaley - 27
- Fran Bentley - 24
- Caitlin Leach - 9
See also
- List of women's association football clubs in England and Wales
- Women's football in England
- List of women's association football clubs
References
- ^ Brighton and Hove Albion 3-1 Bristol City women: Matt Beard set to take over until end of season BBC Sport. 9 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ Bristol Rovers Women v Bristol City Women Matchday Programme. Bristol: Bristol Rovers Football Club. 23 October 2002. p. 3.
- ^ "Football for Women". Midland Combination. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- ^ "Women's Champions League: Bristol reach quarter-finals". BBC Sport. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
- ^ "Bristol Academy Women's Football Club (BAWFC)". Bristol Academy Women's Football Club. Archived from the original on 31 August 2008. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
- ^ "In the Visitors Corner Bristol Academy WFC", Bristol City WFC Matchday Programme (Vs Bristol Academy, FA Women's Cup), 2006–07: 13, 27 January 2007
- ^ "Green loses Bristol Academy job amid funding worries". Bristol Evening Post. 8 July 2009. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
- ^ "Lincoln Ladies FA Women's Super League bid success". BBC. 22 March 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
- ^ Baker, Adam (17 April 2013). "Free entry at Bristol Academy WFC". Bristol City FC. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
- ^ "Bristol Academy to rebrand as Bristol City Women's FC". BBC Sport. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
- ^ Crawley, James (4 July 2013). "Oxtoby appointed Vixens manager". Bristol City FC. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
- ^ Tony Leighton (21 May 2011). "Women's FA Cup final: Arsenal 2–0 Bristol Academy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
- ^ "Double first for Bristol". shekicks.net. 17 April 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
- ^ "Bristol denied by alte penalty". shekicks.net. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
- ^ "Bristol Bow out to Voroneh". shekicks.net. 6 October 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
- ^ "FA announce Women's Super League clubs". UEFA. 22 March 2010. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ^ "Bristol Academy: Head coach Dave Edmondson leaves club". BBC Sport. 23 April 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
- ^ "FA Women's Super League Tournament". visitbristol.co.uk. Destination Bristol. Archived from the original on 19 May 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
- ^ Tony Leighton (25 April 2010). "Bristol Academy builds Britain's first women's stadium". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
- ^ "Bristol City women can 'fill' Ashton Gate". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Women's first team". Bristol City.
- ^ "London City Lionesses land defender Maddi Wilde on loan from Bristol City". London City Lionesses. 30 July 2023.