Tranmere Rovers L.F.C.

Tranmere Rovers Ladies
Full name Tranmere Rovers Ladies Football Club
Nickname(s) Rovers
Founded 1990
Ground Villa Park, Wallasey
Chairman Steve Williams
Club secretary Louise Edwards
League North West Regional League, Premier Division
2010–11 Northern Combination, 12th
Website Club home page
Home colours
Away colours

Tranmere Rovers Ladies Football Club are an English team founded in 1990, based in the Wirral, and affiliated with Tranmere Rovers F.C. Between 1996 and 2004 they competed in the FA Premier League National Division, then the top tier of the English women's football pyramid. Since 2011, they have played in the North West Regional League, Premier Division. They currently play their home games at Villa Park, the home of Ashville F.C. in Wallasey.

Contents

History

Tranmere Rovers Ladies were formed in 1990, and entered of the North West Regional League with Steve Williams as manager.[1] They played their first competitive game against Bury Girls in September of that year.[1] They won Division Four at their first attempt,[2] and followed this success by winning Division Three in the next year.[3] In the 1992–93 season, they came third in Division Two, winning promotion to the top division of the league.[4] Tranmere finished mid-table in their first season in Division One,[5] but won the division in the following season.[6]

Tranmere won the next tier of the English women's football pyramid – the FA Premier League Northern Division – at the first attempt, with only one defeat all season.[1][7] They were promoted to the FA Premier League National Division, at the time the top tier of the English league system. The four promotions required to reach this league had been achieved in only five seasons. 1995–96 also saw the team win the Cheshire Shield for the first time, beating Stockport 6–2 in the final.[1]

The team spent eight seasons in the top flight, the most successful period in the club's short history. After finishing 8th in their first season,[8] they came 7th in 1997–98,[9] 5th in each of the following three seasons,[10][11][12] 6th twice,[13][14] before relegation back to the Northern Division with a 10th-placed finish in 2003–04.[15] The team were also successful in the cup competitions during this period; they reached the FA Cup semi-final in 1998–99, losing 2–1 to Southampton Saints.[1] They repeated this feat in 2001–02, but lost 3–1 to Doncaster Belles.[13] In 2000–01, Tranmere reached the final of the Premier League Cup – their first major cup final – against Arsenal at the Deva Stadium.[12] Though the game was level at half time, Arsenal dominated and eventually ran out 3-0 winners, to secure their fourth successive title.[16] In 2002, Steve Williams stepped down as manager to be replaced by player Louise Edwards.[1]

Tranmere spent five seasons in the Premier League Northern Division, finishing 8th,[17] 3rd,[18] 6th,[19] and 8th,[20], respectively, before being relegated to the Northern Combination with an 11th-placed finish in 2008–09.[21] In 2006, Louise Edwards stepped down as manager, with assistant Shirley Waring taking over.[1] Waring resigned after relegation in 2009; Edwards returned in an interim role,[22] though was still in charge two years later.[23]

In August 2009, a game between Tranmere and Middlesbrough at the Billingham Synthonia ground caused controversy. Tranmere won 3–2 after saving a penalty during ten minutes of added-on time.[24] There was a brawl after the match involving all 22 players,[25] and continued fighting led to Tranmere captain Lindsey Smith breaking the cheekbone of Boro's Nicola Duckling. Smith was subsequently acquitted of causing grievous bodily harm by a jury in Teesside.[24][25]

In the 2010–11 season, Tranmere came 12th and last in the Northern Combination,[26] and were relegated to North West Regional League, Premier Division.[27] However, in the same season they won the Cheshire Cup for a record 11th time.[28]

Colours

Tranmere's colours follow those used by their affiliated men's team. In 1961, Dave Russell joined the club as manager.[29] Tranmere had worn a kit of blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks since 1904 – the same colours as local rivals, Division One club Everton.[30] Russell introduced an all-white strip to set the teams apart;[29] these have been Tranmere's usual colours since.[30] In 2011, Tranmere Ladies home colours were a white shirt with blue trim, blue shorts, and blue socks with white trim.[31][32] Their away colours were a claret shirt, shorts and socks, all with blue trim.[31][33]

Stadium

During their first years, Tranmere played in several venues.[1] In 1997, they moved to Gayton Park, the home of West Cheshire League club Heswall F.C.[1] In 2006, they moved to Victoria Park,[34] the home of Poulton Victoria F.C.[35] In 2009, Paulton Victoria folded,[36] so Tranmere moved to Villa Park,[37] the home of Ashville F.C. in Wallasey, Wirral.[38]

Players

Current squad

As of the start of the 2011–12 season.[39]
Position Player
GK Beth Greathead
GK Rosie Lamprey
DF Lauren Davies
DF Amie Smith
DF Lynn Carter
DF Lyndsey Smith
DF Hannah Ouldred
DF Sian Bilko
DF Alys Hinchcliffe
MF Donna Harrison
Position Player
MF Alli Coleman
MF Charlotte Gill
MF Faye Jones
MF Bethan Woolley
MF Heather Scheuber
FW Kayleigh Goodwin
FW Kate Horne
FW Sydney Hynchcliffe
FW Steph Heron
FW Rachel Davison

Former players

A number of Tranmere players have represented their country. In 1992, Sammy Howarth made her England debut against Denmark, going on to win five caps.[40] Goalkeeper Jo Fletcher also played for England,[41] whilst Katie Williams has represented Wales twenty times.[42]

Tranmere's most capped international player is Sue Smith. Smith first appeared for England in 1997,[43] and went on to win 90 caps, scoring 16 goals.[44] Whilst playing for Tranmere, Smith won a number of awards. In 1999, she was voted international player of the year, for her performances in the England team, and players' player of the year.[45] In 2001, she was again awarded the title of international player of the year.[46]

Honours

As of the start of the 2011–12 season.[31][47][48][49]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Ladies History". Tranmere Rovers Ladies & Girls FC. http://tranmereroversladiesfc.webs.com/ladieshistory.htm. Retrieved 29 October 2011. 
  2. ^ "Season 1990/91". Northern Women's Combination. Archived from the original on 14 October 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20061014020700/http://www.ncfl.co.uk/1991.htm. Retrieved 29 October 2011. 
  3. ^ "Season 1991/92". Northern Women's Combination. Archived from the original on 14 October 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20061014020431/http://www.ncfl.co.uk/1992.htm. Retrieved 29 October 2011. 
  4. ^ "Season 1992/93". Northern Women's Combination. Archived from the original on 14 October 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20061014015825/http://www.ncfl.co.uk/1993.htm. Retrieved 29 October 2011. 
  5. ^ "Season 1993/94". Northern Women's Combination. Archived from the original on 14 October 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20061014020508/http://www.ncfl.co.uk/1994.htm. Retrieved 30 October 2011. 
  6. ^ "Season 1994/95". Northern Women's Combination. Archived from the original on 14 October 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20061014020730/http://www.ncfl.co.uk/1995.htm. Retrieved 30 October 2011. 
  7. ^ "1995–1996". The Owl. http://www.btinternet.com/~a.drake/women/Historical/wt95.htm. Retrieved 5 November 2011. 
  8. ^ "1996–1997". The Owl. http://www.btinternet.com/~a.drake/women/Historical/wt96.htm. Retrieved 5 November 2011. 
  9. ^ "1997–1998". The Owl. http://www.btinternet.com/~a.drake/women/Historical/wt97.htm. Retrieved 5 November 2011. 
  10. ^ "1998–1999". The Owl. http://www.btinternet.com/~a.drake/women/Historical/wt98.htm. Retrieved 5 November 2011. 
  11. ^ "1999–2000". The Owl. http://www.btinternet.com/~a.drake/women/Historical/wt99.htm. Retrieved 5 November 2011. 
  12. ^ a b Shannon, David (28 May 2008). "England (Women) 2000/01". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/eng-wom01.html. Retrieved 5 November 2011. 
  13. ^ a b Shannon, David (9 September 2002). "England (Women) 2001/02". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/eng-wom02.html. Retrieved 5 November 2011. 
  14. ^ Shannon, David (20 August 2003). "England (Women) 2002/03". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/eng-wom03.html. Retrieved 5 November 2011. 
  15. ^ Kubusch, Lars; Shannon, David (6 March 2005). "England (Women) 2003/04". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/eng-wom04.html. Retrieved 5 November 2011. 
  16. ^ "Arsenal inflict cup final misery on Rovers Ladies". Wirral Globe. 4 April 2001. http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/archive/2001/04/04/Wirral+Archive/7427408.Arsenal_inflict_cup_final_misery_on_Rovers_Ladies/. Retrieved 24 November 2011. 
  17. ^ Shannon, David (17 June 2006). "England (Women) 2004/05". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/eng-wom05.html. Retrieved 5 November 2011. 
  18. ^ "FA Women's Premier League – 2005/2006 – Northern Division". TheFA.com. 30 April 2006. http://fulltime.thefa.com/Table.do?divisionseason=8359735. Retrieved 30 October 2011. 
  19. ^ "FA Women's Premier League – 2006/2007 – Northern Division". TheFA.com. 30 April 2007. http://fulltime.thefa.com/Table.do?divisionseason=8118252. Retrieved 30 October 2011. 
  20. ^ "FA Women's Premier League – 2007/2008 – Northern Division". TheFA.com. 30 May 2008. http://fulltime.thefa.com/Table.do?divisionseason=2328593. Retrieved 30 October 2011. 
  21. ^ "FA Women's Premier League – 2008/2009 – Northern Division". TheFA.com. 30 June 2009. http://fulltime.thefa.com/Table.do?divisionseason=3816056. Retrieved 30 October 2011. 
  22. ^ "Tranmere Ladies seek new manager". BBC Sport. 11 August 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tranmere_rovers/8195904.stm. Retrieved 31 October 2011. 
  23. ^ Tranmere Rovers FC (3 November 2011). "@tranmererovers". Twitter. http://twitter.com/#!/tranmererovers/status/132119822204010496. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  24. ^ a b "Tranmere Ladies captain cleared of breaking opponent's cheekbone". Liverpool Echo. 29 May 2010. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2010/05/29/tranmere-ladies-captain-cleared-of-breaking-opponent-s-cheekbone-100252-26546326/. Retrieved 24 November 2011. 
  25. ^ a b Hutchison, Peter (28 May 2010). "Female footballer breaks opponents cheekbone after 22-player brawl". Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/7779447/Female-footballer-breaks-opponents-cheekbone-after-22-player-brawl.html. Retrieved 24 November 2011. 
  26. ^ "Northern Womens Combination League – 2010/11". TheFA.com. 1 May 2011. http://full-time.thefa.com/Table.do?divisionseason=5962390. Retrieved 28 October 2011. 
  27. ^ "North West Womens Regional League – 2011–2012". TheFA.com. http://full-time.thefa.com/Table.do?divisionseason=7782532. Retrieved 28 October 2011. 
  28. ^ "Ladies Lift Cheshire Cup". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 9 May 2011. http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/page/LadiesDetail/0,,10365~2356222,00.html. Retrieved 31 October 2011. 
  29. ^ a b Bishop, Peter (1990). "Russell, Dave". The A–Z of Tranmere Rovers. Ellesmere Port: Chester IV Graphics. p. 57.  ASIN B0011SRSOG.
  30. ^ a b Moor, Dave. "Tranmere Rovers – Historical Football Kits". Historical Football Kits. http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Tranmere_Rovers/Tranmere_Rovers.htm. Retrieved 24 November 2011. 
  31. ^ a b c "Womens Cup – 2011". Cheshire County FA. http://www.cheshirefa.com/FixturesAndResults/CountyCups/WomensCup/Archive/2011-2011/?tab=results. Retrieved 24 November 2011. 
  32. ^ "Fist Team Cheshire Challenge Cup Final". Tranmere Rovers Ladies & Girls FC. 10 May 2011. http://tranmereroversladiesfc.webs.com/apps/photos/album?albumid=11536960. Retrieved 24 November 2011. 
  33. ^ "Ladies Team V Vauxhalls 2011". Tranmere Rovers Ladies & Girls FC. 27 February 2011. http://tranmereroversladiesfc.webs.com/apps/photos/album?albumid=11088201. Retrieved 24 November 2011. 
  34. ^ "2007/08". Poulton Victoria Football Club. 14 August 2008. http://www.webteams.co.uk/_2008/Home.aspx?team=poultonvics. Retrieved 30 October 2011. 
  35. ^ "Tranmere Rovers LFC 3–1 Preston North End WFC". TheFA.com. 20 August 2006. http://fulltime.thefa.com/DisplayFixture.do?id=8594181. Retrieved 30 October 2011. 
  36. ^ "Newsletter August 2009" (PDF). West Cheshire A.F. League. August 2009. http://www.west-cheshire.org.uk/repository/league_84/Newsletter%20August%202009.pdf?leagueid=84. Retrieved 30 October 2011. 
  37. ^ "History". Ashville Football Club, Wallasey. http://www.ashvillefc.co.uk/history.html. Retrieved 30 October 2011. 
  38. ^ "The Ground – Ashville F.C.". Tranmere Rovers Ladies & Girls FC. http://tranmereroversladiesfc.webs.com/thegroundashvillefc.htm. Retrieved 29 October 2011. 
  39. ^ "Squad". Tranmere Rovers Ladies & Girls FC. http://tranmereroversladiesfc.webs.com/squad.htm. Retrieved 28 October 2011. 
  40. ^ "Howarth debut for Southampton Saints". femaleSOCCER.net. http://www.femalesoccer.net/show_news_article.php?id=1169. Retrieved 24 November 2011. 
  41. ^ "Josephine Fletcher, Birmingham City". TheFA.com. 24 November 2005. Archived from the original on 18 July 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080718103401/http://www.thefa.com/Womens/EnglandSenior/PlayersAndCoaches/Postings/2005/05/JoFletcher_PlayerProfile. Retrieved 24 November 2011. 
  42. ^ "International Teams – Katie Williams". Football Association of Wales. Archived from the original on 22 November 2009. http://web.archive.org/web/20091122191058/http://www.faw.org.uk/teams/player/77. Retrieved 24 November 2011. 
  43. ^ "Sue Smith". TheFA.com. http://www.thefa.com/England/All-Teams/Players/S/Sue-Smith. Retrieved 24 November 2011. 
  44. ^ "Team". TheFA.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. http://www.thefa.com/England/womens-seniors/Team. Retrieved 24 November 2011. 
  45. ^ "F.A. Women's Football Awards Sponsored By AXA 1998/1999". PR Newswire. http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=52516. Retrieved 30 October 2011. 
  46. ^ "Award is timely boost for Smith". BBC Sport. 19 June 2001. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/womens_euro_2001/1392196.stm. Retrieved 30 October 2011. 
  47. ^ "About the club". Tranmere Rovers Ladies Football Club. 2006. http://tranmereladies.brinkster.net/club.html. Retrieved 24 November 2011. 
  48. ^ "Womens Cup – 2008". Cheshire County FA. http://www.cheshirefa.com/FixturesAndResults/CountyCups/WomensCup/Archive/2008-2008/?tab=results. Retrieved 24 November 2011. 
  49. ^ "Womens Cup – 2009". Cheshire County FA. http://www.cheshirefa.com/FixturesAndResults/CountyCups/WomensCup/Archive/2009-2009/?tab=results. Retrieved 24 November 2011. 

External links

Tranmere Rovers Football Club
Tranmere Rovers F.C. · Tranmere Rovers L.F.C.
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