Everton
Everton's crest
Full nameEverton Football Club
Nickname(s)The Blues
The Toffees
Founded1983 (1983)
GroundWalton Hall Park
Capacity2,200+
ManagerBrian Sørensen
LeagueWomen's Super League
2022–23WSL, 6th of 12
WebsiteClub website

Everton Football Club (/ˈɛvərtən/) is an English women's association football team based in Liverpool, England, that competes in the FA Women's Super League, the top division of English women's football. Formed in 1983 as Hoylake W.F.C., it is now part of Everton F.C. and has played home games at Walton Hall Park in Walton since February 2020. The team has won the Premier League National Division once, the Premier League Cup once, and the Women's FA Cup twice.

History

Early years

The club started life as Hoylake WFC in 1983. It merged with Dolphins YC to become Leasowe, then added Pacific to its title in a sponsorship deal. In 1987–88, it came to prominence winning the North West Women's League and reaching the 1988 Women's FA Cup final, losing to Doncaster Belles 3–1. It came back the following year to beat Friends of Fulham 3–2. By 1991–92, it had won its regional league for five years running, and when the regular national competition was expanded the next season it was admitted to Division One North, promptly finishing top to join the FA Women's Premier League.

Becoming Everton

Laudehr of Duisburg scores against Everton in the Champions League

In 1995, the club became known as Everton Ladies and continued to make its mark. In 1997, it reached the final of the Premier League Cup only to lose to Millwall Lionesses 1–2. The following year, however, the team was crowned National Premier League Champions which is its biggest success to date.

In 1999 the club again lost in the League Cup final, 1–3 to Arsenal Ladies, and in 2005 reached the FA Women's Cup final only to lose 0–1 to Charlton Athletic after a disappointing display. Revenge of sorts came two years later when Everton pipped Charlton to second place in the Premier League, which as champions Arsenal had already won the UEFA Women's Cup, meant a European debut for the Toffees in 2007–08. In 2008, it won the Premier League Cup by beating Arsenal in the final. Arsenal was unbeaten in England two years at the time.[1]

The club's first foray into UEFA competition saw it win its opening game 4–0 against Lithuanian side Gintra. It won further group games against Glentoran and Zulwil without conceding and scoring 20 goals in the process. The campaign was to end in disappointment at the second group stage. Despite beating Valur 3–1 in its final group game, Everton only finished third and failed to progress into the quarter–finals amidst much controversy.[2]

On 10 May 2009, Everton needed only a draw against Arsenal Ladies in the last match of the season to win the Women's Premier League for only the second time in its history, but lost 1–0 to finish runners–up on goal difference. Due to the reformatting of the European Cup into the UEFA Women's Champions League, however, the team still qualified for Europe, although it had to enter at the qualifying group stages and was eliminated in round 32 by Norwegian team Roa IL. In 2010, Everton beat Arsenal 3–2 to win the FA Women's Cup with Natasha Dowie (niece of Iain) scoring the winner deep into extra time.[3]

In 2011, the club advanced to the quarter–finals of the Champions League, where its best run so far was stopped by German side FCR Duisburg. Everton was one of eight founding teams in the FA WSL in March 2011.[4]

Relegation to FA WSL 2 in 2014

After several seasons finishing mid-table, Everton would struggle to gain form during the 2014 season having lost key players Jill Scott and Toni Duggan (both to Manchester City) during the off-season.[5][6] In September 2014, Everton would lose 2–0 to Notts County, sealing its relegation to WSL 2 after 21 years of top flight football.[7]

FA WSL 2 (2015–2017)

Everton celebrate winning the FA WSL 2 Spring Series in 2017

Everton would contend in WSL2, registering back-to-back third-place finishes during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. In anticipation of re-aligning the season with the typical FIFA calendar, the WSL 1 and 2 competed in a truncated 9-match season. The "FA WSL Spring Series" (as it became referred), would not have teams compete for promotion or relegation before the full 2017–18 season.[8] Everton won the Spring Series, recording 7 wins from 9 with scoring led by Claudia Walker (7 goals) and Simone Magill (5 goals). The Spring Series title was the first since the FA Women's Premier League National Division 1997–98 season title.

Return to top flight

Everton playing Chelsea in September 2021

Prior to the 2017–18 season, Notts County of the WSL 1 folded prior to the Spring Series prompting the FA to invite FA WSL 2 clubs to apply and fill the vacancy.[9] Everton was awarded the invitation back into the top flight on 9 June 2017, and would compete in the WSL 1 for the 2017–18 season.[10]

Everton struggled to gain much form during the 2017–18 season. Despite making a run to the semi-finals in the 2017–18 FA Women's Cup, Everton finished 9th in the table (only beating out winless Yeovil Town); however league structural changes prevented the club from being relegated.[11]

Ahead of the 2019–20 season, the team dropped Ladies from its name. Although now simply called Everton, the club will use Everton Women in a formal capacity when necessary to avoid confusion with the men's team.[12]

Stadium

Everton had Rossett Park as its home ground starting in 1998, sharing with non-league side Marine A.F.C. in Crosby.[13] Rossett Park would be the Blues' home ground for 15 years.

In 2013, the team moved to Halton Stadium (previously known then as "Select Security Stadium"), also used by its Merseyside rivals Liverpool. The move was prompted by needing improved technical requirements for the developing WSL standards and providing notably increased capacity.[14]

Ahead of the 2018–19 season, Everton announced that it would play the first half of the season at Haig Avenue[15][16] and ended up staying for the whole season.

In 2019, it was announced that the club would play its last game at the Haig Avenue on 29 September of that year before moving to Walton Hall Park but delays meant the team would not move like planned until February 2020.[17]

As of February 23, 2020, Everton play at Walton Hall Park.

Current squad

As of 14 January 2024.[18]

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 Republic of Ireland IRL Courtney Brosnan
2 DF Denmark DEN Katrine Veje
3 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Megan Campbell
7 MF Australia AUS Clare Wheeler
8 MF Belgium BEL Justine Vanhaevermaet
9 FW England ENG Toni Duggan
10 MF Sweden SWE Hanna Bennison
11 MF England ENG Emma Bissell
12 GK England ENG Emily Ramsey
13 GK England ENG Libby Hart
17 MF Scotland SCO Lucy Hope
18 FW Italy ITA Martina Piemonte
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Heather Payne
20 DF England ENG Megan Finnigan (captain)
21 MF Denmark DEN Kathrine Møller Kühl (on loan from Arsenal])
22 MF Italy ITA Aurora Galli
23 MF Denmark DEN Sara Holmgaard
25 FW Netherlands NED Katja Snoeijs
26 FW Denmark DEN Rikke Madsen
27 DF Norway NOR Elise Stenevik
28 MF Denmark DEN Karen Holmgaard
29 MF England ENG Abbey Clarke
30 DF England ENG Annie Wilding
47 MF Denmark DEN Karoline Olesen

Out on loan

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
24 DF Scotland SCO Kenzie Weir (at Glasgow City FC until 30 June 2024)

Former players

Honours

For a detailed international record see English women's football clubs in international competitions

Everton Ladies celebrate the 2010 Cup win

Managers

Name Tenure M W D L Win % Notes
England Keith Marley– 2002
England Mo Marley2012 – 13 October 2012206129265162.2%[19]
England Andy Spence14 November 2012 – 10 June 20155116132231.4%[20][21]
England Nicola Anderson10 June 2015 – 15 December 20151454535.7%Interim manager[21][22]
England Andy Spence15 December 2015 – 7 November 2018451952142.2%[23][24]
England Jennifer Herst7 November 2018 – 1 December 201820020.0%Interim manager[24]
Scotland Willie Kirk1 December 2018 – 16 October 2021702973441.4%[25][26][27]
France Jean-Luc Vasseur29 October 2021 – 1 February 2022612316.7%[26]
Scotland Chris Roberts
Scotland Claire Ditchburn		1 February 2022 – 1 July 20221333723.1%Interim managers[26]
Denmark Brian Sorensen1 July 2022 –411552136.6%[28]

Player of the Season

[29]

Supporters Player of the Season

Young Player of the Season

Spirit of the Blues Award

References

  1. ↑ "Toffee ladies make Everton history". liverpoolecho.co.uk. 29 February 2008. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  2. ↑ Leighton, Tony (14 October 2007). "Everton 'disgusted' with Uefa as protest is ignored". The Guardian.
  3. ↑ "Everton upset Arsenal to win FA Women's Cup". BBC. 3 May 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  4. ↑ "Lincoln Ladies FA Women's Super League bid success". BBC. 22 March 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  5. ↑ "Scott Leaves Blues". Everton. 13 November 2013. Archived from the original on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  6. ↑ "WASL: England Striker Toni Duggan set to leave Everton Ladies". Sky Sports. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  7. ↑ "Women's Super League: Tears flow as Everton are relegated". BBC. 28 September 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  8. ↑ "Spring Series Fixtures". The Football Association. 10 January 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  9. ↑ "Women's Super League: WSL 2 clubs invited to apply to replace Notts County Ladies". BBC Sport. 16 May 2015. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  10. ↑ "Everton have been elected to FA Women's Super League 1". FA WSL. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  11. ↑ Gold, Rachel Rose (20 May 2018). "Everton Ladies end season with defeat at Man City". Royal Blue Mersey. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  12. ↑ "Name Change For Everton Women's Team". Everton F.C.
  13. ↑ "Ground of the week – Arriva Stadium". BBC. 16 March 2009. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  14. ↑ McMillan, Dave (2013). "Ladies team to leave Arriva Stadium after 15 years..." Marine Football Club. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  15. ↑ "Ladies To Play Home Games at Southport". Everton F.C. 7 September 2018. Archived from the original on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  16. ↑ "Everton Ladies Are in Town!". southportfc.net. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  17. ↑ "Everton Ladies' 2019/20 WSL Fixtures Confirmed". Everton F.C. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  18. ↑ "The Team". Everton Ladies.
  19. ↑ "Marley Resigns As Ladies Boss". FA WSL. 13 October 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  20. ↑ "Andy Spence named as new Everton FC ladies boss". The Chester Chronicle. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  21. 1 2 "Everton ladies boss Andy Spence quits". Liverpool Echo. 10 June 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  22. ↑ "Everton Ladies: Nicola Anderson to stay as interim boss". BBC Sport. 24 July 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  23. ↑ "Andy Spence: Everton Ladies boss returns six months after departure". BBC Sport. 8 December 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  24. 1 2 "Everton Ladies: Head coach Andy Spence sacked with club bottom of Women's Super League". BBC Sport. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  25. ↑ "Willie Kirk Appointed New Ladies Manager". Everton FC. 1 December 2018. Archived from the original on 1 December 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  26. 1 2 3 Garry, Tom (2 February 2022). "Everton sack manager Jean-Luc Vasseur after just 10 games in charge of women's side". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  27. ↑ "Everton FC Women Stats". FootyStats. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  28. ↑ "Sorensen to Become New Everton Women Manager".
  29. ↑ Kirkbride, Philip (21 May 2009). "Everton Ladies boss Mo Marley sacked husband so she could be manager". The Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 9 September 2009.
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Awards Winners". Everton F.C. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  31. 1 2 "Awards Winners". evertonfc.com. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  32. ↑ "At A Glance: Dixies Winners". Everton F.C. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
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