WELCOME TO OUR WEBSITE Welcome to www.ladiessoccer.co.uk covering Ladies Football from around the Midlands area & Beyond with Independent Freelance Media Coverage from Glenn Lawrence the Biggest Supporter of Non League & Ladies Football 2009/2010 Season's marks our 7th Year of covering Ladies Football our Coverage is an expansion of Our Non League football reporting operations.On these Pages You will find News and Info along with Match Reports and Photos from the world Of Midlands Ladies Football.Should You Wish to contact us, please do so using the Contact page? We welcome your comments and Information.Get your Football News On-line with us or kick start you Playing Days Today with ladiessoccer.co.uk and ladiesfootball.moonfruit.com We are always searching for Football Related News and Items from Any Ladies Football Teams and Clubs, Whether You Require New Players - Fixtures - New Manager - New Club Sponsors, or You would like to promote a big game, you are playing in or publicize a Club Function, they drop us a Line via the Contact Page, and it Will be added it to this ladies football Website and ladiesfootball.Moonfruit.com Together bringing You Great Cover of Grass Roots Ladies Football in the Midlands Area and beyond. Want To Play The Beautiful Game Girls! Can you Bend it like Beckham Girls? Teams right across the Midlands Area are on the look-out without delay for new recruits. Have you got what it takes to be the next female football sensation? Midlands Ladies and Girls Football Clubs are seeking to recruit new players for the forthcoming 2008-2009 season starting in September – ages range from under 10’s to Adult players will be welcome irrespective of Age, Ability and Experience. If you're an experienced player or a player that wants to return to the beautiful game with the ability to bend a Ball like Beckham, or, even if you have two left feet and can't even kick a football ball, then there will be a team for you in your local area. Why not contact a few Local Football Clubs that caters for Ladies Football and pop along and watch or even better still take part in a Training session led by FA Qualified coaches. Many Football Clubs offer excellent Training, playing and social Facilities in a Fun Friendly atmosphere to help you enjoy your Female Football with the emphasise on enjoying yourselves. With Teams back in training and with clubs arranging preseason games now is the Ideal time to join forces with your Local Female Football Club. Wherever you live in the Country, there is bound to be at least one local ladies team you can consider joining in many cases, there will be a number of Clubs all searching for new players. If you own a Company or Business then why not consider the endless commercial opportunities available by Sponsoring Your Local Women’s or Girls Football Team or Club. If you are looking forward to playing or offer sponsorship and need any help finding a Club just contact us. If You Would like to Play Girls/Ladies Football in 2008 and are not sure who your local Club's are or which clubs are seeking New Players than Just Drop Us an Email, and we will put you in Contact with your nearest Local Ladies Football Clubs and give You there Website Addresses, It would be most helpful if you can Include the Town You live in and Your Peer group Under or Over 16? That Would Help Us put You in Contact with the right club's. Who can Help You - Whatever You Age, Football Ability and Experience, there's a Club for You, Never Played Before - No Problem Just Pop along to a Training session and watch, Then consider Joining Your Local Ladies Football Club… So what are You Waiting For? Join the In Fun Today.

FIVE STAR HOLLIE WINS IT FOR THORPLANDS UNITED LADIES In the Northamptonshire FA Charity Cup held in memory of former serving committee member and Thorplands United Football Club secretary Mr. Pete Brewin, who sadly passed away last year, Thorplands United Ladies captured the seasons first piece of silverware after running out 5-1 winners against hosts Moulton Ladies. A first-half hat-trick from Hollie Overfield had etched Thorplands name on the Charity Cup inside the opening 45 minutes as Overfield fired the visitors into the lead just after the thirty-minute mark, and then struck twice more before half-time, doubling the lead on 44 minutes before winning and converting a penalty in first-half stoppage time. After the break Moulton Ladies hit back after 62 minutes through Katherine Lusk to reduce the deficit before Hollie Overfield restored Thorplands three goal cushion just 8 minutes later, before then going onto complete the goal-scoring in the 84th minute. In the end result never really matter as a good sizeable crowd watched an enjoyable and entertaining Charity Football game in which Pete would have been among many friends and delighted his beloved Thorplands United women's side which he created and developed in the early years of Joining the Northants FA County women's Football League had prospered on the afternoon to lift another trophy, which was kindly donated by Mr. Trevor Clifton. Over Two Hundred, pounds was raised for Charity and will be donated to the Friends Of The Cynthia Spencer Hospice. The day culminated in a raffle where participants tried their luck to win a Signed England Women's Shirt, A Football Stadium Tour, Tickets for Football League games at Peterborough United and Milton Keynes Dons, A day at Silverstone Race Track. Bottles of Wine and Signed Women's Football Photos of Emma Byrne and Rachel Unitt were all among the many and various raffle prizes, which had been donated by Individuals and Companies and on offer which were up for grabs on the afternoon held at the developing facilities of Moulton Football Club established just 12 months ago and having achieved a very respectable fourth placed finish in their very first competitive season Moulton Ladies will be competing in this year's Women's FA Cup for the very first time. Pete was instrumental in both setting up Thorplands United ladies in 2007 and running the ladies' senior team and developing football for all ages groups, and in 2008 was one of the clubs' instigators as Thorplands United won the Queens Special Achievement Award for Voluntary Groups in the East Midlands Regional, an Award Pete collected by attending the Queens Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, Pete had been devoted to football and had previously been involved with numerous clubs in the Northamptonshire area, including both Moulton Magpies, Kettering Town Girls (Rothwell Town Ladies) and Sunnyside Warriors (Now Obelisk United) as well as his numerous club rolls Pete also served as both Fixtures Secretary and Website Manager for the Northamptonshire County FA Women's Football League, Pete was a long-standing and devoted member of the team, Whose has left a big legacy but the fact many girls and women have the chance to play football is testimony to Pete's hard work and long standing devotion to local girl's football. The game was well officiated by Match Referee Mr.Peter Honeyman and his assistants Richard Wilson and Alex Murison who kindly gave up their Bank Holiday to make the Charity game possible between the two battling two sides. Northamptonshire FA County women's Chairman Craig Johnson heralded the day "a great success" and it is anticipated the Charity Cup will become an annual event on the calendar for the up-and-coming Northamptonshire Women's County FA Football league which continues to grow both in numbers and strength their league season kicks off this coming Sunday 4th September.

BURNLEY BABE BROWN " THE SPECIAL ONE " WITHIN THE WOMENS GAME She maybe Everton and England's Number One but Burnley Babe Rachel Brown has the edge over many Women's players in the game, ask any of the Press Photographers, who regular snap women's football and its Brown, who heads up the Unofficial Press Boys Poll of Favourites Players to snap, Brown one of the most snapped England Players is regularly in focus throughout many camera lenses during the year both on a Domestic and International football front. Modest Brown is the perfect role model for many aspiring girls within today's modern women's game. Seven Years after making her debut for the Everton Ladies 29 year old Brown unlike some of her female counterparts isn't a Bad Loser, putting Brown on the spot she told the Press " No. I'm very competitive with whatever, I do, but I'm optimistic when I lose. I try to take positives out of the game, although I will admit it when I'm rubbish" said Brown with a glint in her eye while we explored some of the myths surrounding the Women's game but what about the post match partying do all the lovely Everton Ladies go out for a bevy after the game? " No - sorry to sound boring, but we're very disciplined, and we don't go boozing! " seems like all work and no fun to Me Rachel, but are Are female footballers just as rowdy in the dressing room as their male counterparts " You Bet, Definitely - if not worse!" revealed Brown, Apart from being a firm fan's favourite Brown's biggest two supporters are her Parents, who try to get along to every game. Rachel kicked off her football career when she was eight years old and living in the Burnley district of Lancashire, and as there were no girls' teams, Rachel to play in a boys' team. Having made her debut for Merseyside rivals Liverpool Ladies at the tender age of 15 having signed from Accrington Ladies FC, Brown has achieved many accolades in the women's game including an FA Cup Winners Medal and describes her best England moment as The European Championships in 2001" But surely being a top women's England Women's Footballer has helped you when you've been out on the pull In Knotty Ash? "No - it's different for us girls. It probably works for the male footballers - but sometimes it works against you and puts Guys off. However, then it can be a common interest, but I really don't go out much - I actually prefer to go away on holiday rather than go out regularly. It's better on holiday because I don't have work commitments, but I will still train. I went to Tenerife a few years back over Christmas, and I still trained everyday" said Rachel. While growing up as a young girl Brown was a Burnley fanatic and season ticket holder, Turf Moor can quite rightly lay claim to being Rachel's second home at the age of 23 Brown had the honour of stepping out on the hollow turf at her beloved Turf Moor in 2003 as England played Australia " I've been a Burnley fan my whole life so it was a honour to play at the Turf," she said. One of Brown’s earliest career highlights saw her participate in the 1996 FA Women’s Cup Final aged just 15 years old with Liverpool Ladies, But there was to be no fairytale winners' medal for Young Rachel as Liverpool Ladies went down in a penalty shoot out, eventually losing out 4-2 on spot-kicks to Croydon Ladies after a 1-1 draw, a result which saw Liverpool Ladies beaten in the final for the second successive year. Brown remained with Liverpool Ladies while completing her studies before a moved in 1998 to the United States beckoned during a five year stint in the United States Brown had spells at both the University of Alabama and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers being named Goalkeeper of the Year for the Eastern Conference every year, and she also holds the Panthers' record for the least goals conceded in a single season. On returning to Merseyside, she qualified as a PE Teacher at Liverpool John Moores University before signing for Everton Ladies in January 2003, Having spent the Summer playing for Icelandic side IBV, upon returning to Everton Ladies in August 2003 Brown suffered a serious knee injury in December of that year that kept her out of the women's game until June 2005. Glamorous Rachel spends many hours playing on mud-crusted football pitches around the world, However, is obsessed like all women with clothes, shoes and fashion but let's not forget Brown's team-mates at Everton Ladies, who like Brown work with her own ethics spending many hours looking after their fans and the poor old Press Chaps arguably If you could choose one women's football team to cover and work at it would be Everton Ladies not least of all because as a Team these Girls are certainly the "Best In The Women's Game To Work With" Rachel Unitt like Brown is not only a fantastic player and role model but another Toffees Player, who has a very big following in the Belgium Press, A seven year wait by Unitt for a third FA Cup Winners Medal ended in Joy on 3rd May 2010 as the Merseyside club enjoyed one of its best days in its history by winning the Women's FA Cup a momentous day for Brown and her Everton Ladies team-mates amid the many hundreds of autograph hunters and photo seekers but as the clock ticked towards seven O'clock on a Bank Holiday Monday after a long and gruelling Women's FA Cup Final day Brown and her Everton team-mates were still working there way through the countless Autograph Hunters and Photo requests as they battled there way through the Fans. For those who have never met Rachel not only is she a Nice Lady she's a true Professional in every sense of the word in what ever she does both on and off the football field that's why to the Youngsters, The Fans and the Press Boys Rachel Brown is truly Number One Brown said of the England squad: "We all look quite butch out on the pitch but secretly love dressing up and being girly. When I am training and playing, I am an athlete - my gender just doesn't matter at all. However, off the pitch, I love clothes and make-up as much as any woman and have to fit my soccer in around my community football full-time job at Everton, Playing for England means you have to be in tip top shape and we all have to watch our diets and can't drink alcohol or smoke. When I was a teenager all my mates used to go out partying while I was training, which I resented a bit. But now I am playing for England, that feels better than any wild nights on the town." But unlike some of her female counterparts within the women's game Brown has not only time but respect for adoring army of fans and the Press, spending countless hours every season after games signing everything from Programmes to Shirts to Photographs and for the barrage of Press Photographers, who snap her while on Everton and England duty and its not unusual to see Brown spending 20 or 30 minutes chatting to her fans, signing autographs and having her picture taken, with a big following both on home shores and internationally in places like Belgium Brown's fan club continues to grow but for any young aspiring player not only is Rachel Brown the perfect role model both on and off the pitch, she's the one Player many youngsters would love a coaching session with, Happy Go Lucky, Charming, Modest, Special, Lovely, Sweet. A Winner and Unique Lady are just some of the words that the press have used to best describe Rachel Brown, although I always though Rachel was much taller than 5ft 7ins, If Jose Mourinho is the "Special One" in Men's Football then Rachel Brown is the "Special One" within the Women's game both on and off the pitch. Pictured - All Round Number One Rachel Brown taking time out with her fans on Cup Final Day

DEAF FOOTBALLERS LOOKING FOR HELP WITH SPONSORSHIP CAN YOU HELP DEAF GIRLS? Disability in Football Knows no barriers but for Two Deaf players who regularly turn out for Northamptonshire FA County League Side Kingsthorpe Jaguars based in Northampton only the financial burden of playing on the International stage is the barrier to their football talents, hopes and ambitions. Unlike the rich pickings of Professional Football and without any help from the Football Authorities Deaf Youngsters like Claire Stanicliffe and April Malin along with their Family and Friends have to raise their own funds in excess of Three Thousand pounds each in order for the Two Girls to continue playing the beautiful game they love and to be able to represent the GB Deaf Women's Football team on the international circuit. Both Claire and April keen aspiring Deaf Women's Footballers are looking for Sponsorship from any Companies or Individuals which can help them with the cost of playing and travelling on the international stage while both Deaf these football mad girls are asking for nothing more than the chance to showcase their Football Skills on the International Stage four or five times a year when the GB Deaf team gathers around the United Kingdom and further a field but unlike able bodied Girls representing and playing women's football for their Country both Youngsters are forced to pay for the privilege of being International Footballers solely because they are in simply terms Deaf Players. The Kingsthorpe Jaguars team chief Steve Hill has seen both Girls' progress and has been instrumental in the Clubs' approach to allowing Deaf girls the chance to play football and with Kingsthorpe Jaguars being one of a growing number of Deaf Friendly Football Clubs in the Country then both Claire and April are testament to showing only finance is the burden for aspiring deaf girls to play and represent their Country at an International level within Women's Football. Any Interested Companies or Individuals that can help Deaf Girls Claire and April fund the astronomical cost of playing on the International stage with Sponsorship are asked to contact Mr.Steve Hill on 07702 250669 or by a-mail at hillstv@aol.com If You are a Deaf Player and would like to play football then there are around the Country Numerous Womens Football Clubs who are Deaf Friendly Clubs If you require any help finding a Deaf Friendly Football Club drop us an e-mail. Picture GB Deaf International Players Claire Stanicliffe and April Malin Photo Glenn Lawrence

PLAYERS & MATCH-DAY STAFF RECRUITMENT SECTION Holding Soccer Trials, Looking For Players or Match-day Staff for the 2012/2013 Season Well Why Not Advertise Your Player and Staff Requirements right Here in our Players Recruitment section on www.ladiessoccer.co.uk Who Knows Your Next Star Find Could Be Reading This Right Now, Don't Forget to include any Specified Playing Position you are trying to strengthen, Your Teams Age Group, Training Nights and Venue If Advertising for Match-day Staff, please include whether it's Paid, Voluntary or Expenses Paid Position and any close date for applications. Include a Mobile Phone and or Email Contact Address with your Requests along with your Teams Name and League Status Sit Back and let Us find Your Players or Staff With Thousands of Hits Weekly you get the perfect Result with www.ladiessoccer.co.uk CHESTER FC LADIES Following the finalisation of the set up for the new Chester FC Ladies team for the forthcoming season, we are delighted to announce that we are now in a position to begin player registrations. Chester FC Ladies are recruiting for female open aged (16 & over) footballers to join their new setup for the 2012/13 season. The team will compete in the Cheshire Womens League and have ambitions to progress as high as possible in the womens pyramid. If you share same passion and ambition for the game that we do then we want to hear from you. All kit, equipment and training costs will be covered. Interested players please email chesterfcladies@gmail.com with a football CV and contact details.' CREWE ALEXANDER LADIES U18's TEAM Crewe Alexandra Ladies Football Club plays in the FA Premier North West Women’s Regional league. Crewe Alexandra Ladies Football Club are looking to recruit players and staff for their newly formed U18s team for the 2012-13 season in their bid to continue to establish themselves within the women’s football league. Crewe Alexandra Ladies Football Club currently train once a week and play on Sunday afternoons, the appointed applicant would be expected to attend and deliver training sessions on the training night, and accompany the team to matches on Sundays. The role is U18s Manager/Head Coach For further information, please ring First Team manager Nick Pearce on 07792353967 Applicants are invited to submit their CV and a covering letter/e-mail outlining their qualifications, experience and ambitions for the future to crewealexandralfc@gmail.com NORTHAMPTON TOWN LADIES 2012/13 TRIALS Northampton Town Ladies play their fixtures in the Midland Women's Combination League (tier 3 of the Ladies Football Pyamid (excluding the WSL)). During a football season, their Ladies train every Monday evening at Sixfields and Thursdays evenings at Thomas Beckett School with games on a Sunday afternoon. All female football players are welcome to attend from the ages of 16+. Dates: June 18th, 20th, and 23rd 2012 Time: 7:30pm—9pm (23rd 6pm-8pm) Venue: Sixfields Athletic Stadium, Northampton, NN5 5QA (Grass Pitch) For further enquires contact Steve Healy Email Stephen.healy@ntfc.tv or Telephone 01604 683 759 downloadable booking forms, To book yourself for a trial forms can be obtained by coping and pasting the following link into your web browser www.ntfc-fitc.co.uk/assets/NTFC-Ladies-Open-Trials-Leaflet.pdf STOKE CITY LADIES 2012/13 TRIALS The Clubs annual open age trials for players (16+) will take place in June for the forthcoming 2012/2013 season at: The Springbank Stadium, Yarnfield, Nr Stone, Staffs, ST15 ONF. The trial dates are as follows:- 10th June, 1.30 pm registration. Trials 2pm - 4pm. Successful trialists will be invited back to a 2nd trial date on: Sunday 24th June, 1.30pm registration. Trials 2pm - 4pm. All interested players will be required to register via the Contact Form on the clubs website (stokecityladies.co.uk) or via text on 0797 355 9460 before the day of the trials. Leaving their Name, Age, Preferred Playing Position and Previous Club. Stoke City Ladies FC run a 1st team and Reserve team with last season’s open trials being a great success and a good benchmark for the season ahead - The 1st team finished 2nd in the Midland Combination League (tier 3) and Runners Up in the League Cup whilst retaining the Staffs County Cup which they have now held for four years. All players are required to wear appropriate footwear for a grass surface, shin pads and to remove all jewellery. Even though refreshments will be available for supporters and relatives, it is recommended that all players bring their own drinks. The Trial is open to all ladies over the age of 16 with any previous playing level of ability, should you be unavailable for the above dates please advise on your application and we will negotiate a date www.stokecityladies.co.uk More News Will Appear Here Later. To Get Your Trial and/Or Players, Matchday Staff Ad listed in this section for Free please contact Us newsroom@ladiessoccer.co.uk

FA CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE The FA has declared 30 FA Girls’ Centres of Excellence for season 2011-12. Having carried out a robust consultation, monitoring, evaluation and review of the previous Girls’ Talent Development programme, The FA will operate 62 Talent Development Centres in contrast to the 50 FA Girls’ Centres of Excellence that have existed previously, and we are pleased to outline the new girls’ elite football pathway, which will benefit all areas of the game, but most importantly for the players playing within it. The new structure will encompass Centres, which will be a combination of Player Development Centres and FA Girls’ Centres of Excellence, resulting in a restructure of the current Centres' programme. Three brand new Elite Performance Camps will also replace the Regional Talent Camps. This improved FA Girls’ Talent Development pathway will have long term sustainability, will support the entry route into the Centres at grassroots, develop grassroots clubs at younger age groups and will also provide women’s teams with well educated and better equipped players in all four areas.Should a talented young girl be unable to attend an FA Girls’ Centre of Excellence due to the travel time and distance, an FA Girls’ Centre of Excellence Director can apply to The FA for special dispensation on the player’s behalf. Further details of what this dispensation entails will be available from your nearest FA Girls’ Centre of Excellence from July 2011. The FA Player Development Centres will be decided in July, but the 30 Centres of Excellence are: Arsenal - cwheatley@arsenal.co.uk Aston Villa - martin.harrison@avfc.co.uk Birmingham City - heather.cowan@blueyonder.co.uk Blackburn Rovers - gdonnelly@rovers co.uk Brighton & HA - girlsfootball@bhafc.co.uk Bristol Academy - daniel.tanhai@filton.ac.uk Cambridge - kdacosta@camre.ac.uk Chelsea - robert.udberg@chelseafc.com Colchester United - kanderson@cucst.org.uk Derby County - simon.carnall@dcfc.co.uk Devon FA - matthew.hodgson@devonfa.com Everton - andy.spence@evertonfc.com Gillingham - psayer@priestfield.com Hampshire FA - natasha.angel@hampshirefa.com Leeds United - gary.waddington@leedsunited.com Leicester City - chloe.jones@lcfc.co.uk Lincoln Ladies - info@lincolnladiesfc.co.uk Liverpool - kevin.quigley@live.co.uk Manchester United - emma.fletcher@manutd.co.uk Middlesex FA - stuart.allen@middlesexfa.com Millwall & Lewisham - paulanthonypalmer@gmail.com MK Dons - charlene.ward@mkdons.com North Yorks - ail@gailcolling.orangehome.co.uk Norwich City - emma.fletcher@ncfc-canaries.co.uk Oxford United - rblackmore@oufc.co.uk Sheffield United - tinastringer@btinternet.com Somerset FA - aaron.clements@somersetfa.com SC Albion - james.bunch@albionfoundation.co.uk Stoke City - richard.carter@stokecityfc.com Teesside University - p.kreczak@tees.ac.uk For Trials please email the Centres direct.

EXCELLENCE DENIED AS FA CULL GIRLS FOOTBALL FACILITIES IN COST CUTTING EXERCISE Several Clubs have been left bemused, bewildered and disappointed this week after the FA put in motion a cull of Girls Football Centre of Excellence facilities. Top Flight Clubs Coventry City, Charlton Athletic and Watford Ladies are among those who have been dealt the big blow with Watford Ladies demanding answer from the FA about how their decisions were reached. The FA has reduced the number of COE's in the country from 52 to just 30 this week in a massive restructuring of girls’ football and all clubs have had to apply for a licence the cash saving action on behalf of the FA will impact right into the heart of girl's football around the County indeed Girls in the North East will have to travel miles as the County has no COE facilities. Furious Watford Ladies have asked the FA to explain “from Top To Bottom ” why the English football’s controlling body decided not to grant the club its Girls’ Centre of Excellence licence for next season. It is a decision the Hertfordshire club claims will have “a hugely negative impact on female football in County” and is also highly likely to damage the chances of Watford Ladies progressing up the Female Football Pyramid. Many clubs are now uncertain what they will now do regarding their girls’ football programme. The FA will be divulging which other 32 clubs or organisations will be Player Development Centres in July, but the FA funding for these is around a seventh of what clubs receive for the centre of excellences. The FA has attempted to spread the Centre of Excellence facilities around the country, with Arsenal, Lincoln and Middlesex FA being among those to be granted a licence for next season. Watford had operated a centre of Excellence for ten years, offering in excess of 1,000 footballers the chance to partake in “elite playing opportunities", but along with other top flight clubs were not handed a licence this week for the 2011/12 season. In an open letter to the FA, which will be released to the Press Watford said: “There is a distinct difference between the criteria set out originally and the criteria communicated to Watford FC, The club feels it strongly met the original criteria. At no point during this process did the FA speak with Watford FC regarding any changes to the criteria. Watford FC was aware that the FA did speak with other clubs/centres to support them in meeting the apparently revised criteria during the application process. Watford FC has gloried in delivering a high quality Girls’ Centre of Excellence and dedicated much time and effort above and beyond the norm to developing a comprehensive programme of female football in Hertfordshire.The Centre always scores highly on the FA’s own assessment criteria, undertaken twice per season. Indeed, during the last assessment, which took place in February 2011, the Centre was assessed and scored excellent in 14 out of 15 areas. When the FA asked for applications in February, Watford claimed the criteria had eight points, which included things such as ‘exit routes into women’s teams, previous centre performance and infrastructure’. On Tuesday, a four-point benchmark explaining why centres were awarded the licence was released by the FA, The Watford Ladies first team are also going to suffer greatly, and they are likely to find it increasingly difficult to remain in the Top Flight Premier League, as half of their current squad had come through the club’s Centre of Excellence. Charlton Athletic Ladies is another Club left fuming after a hugely successful campaign on the park for the Charlton Athletic Women’s team, the FA also decided not to grant their application for a Centre of Excellence licence for next season. For all clubs, their Centre of Excellence underpins and provides a flow of talented players. Charlton Athletic were one of the first Girls Centre's of Excellence in the Country to be set-up with ten players from the Clubs Championship winning first team squad progressing through the Women’s Centre of Excellence, and a further nine players going onto play for the clubs second string, who finished Third behind the Super League Reserves of Chelsea and Arsenal. The power of skill coming through the CoE facility was also further emphasized, at Junior level as the Clubs U16 team stayed undefeated throughout the season. Charlton now looks forward to welcoming half a dozen of these girls into our senior teams next season now that they are too old for CoE football. Spokesman for Charlton Athletic Trust CEO Jason Morgan said, ‘We are extremely disappointed and are in discussion with the FA to find out why we were unsuccessful and what is our best approach going forward. Keeping the Centre of Excellence was paramount to feeding the Women’s first team with new players and the Trust will do everything possible to keep the current players involved, if they wish to stay at the club, in some kind of development set up'. Like both Watford and Charlton Athletic newly promoted Coventry City Ladies are another club, which has lost their Centre of Excellence facilities Sky Blues Chairman David Singleton said " Whilst we're bitterly disappointed, and hundreds of family members and friends of girls and staff involved are, likewise, disappointed, We will carry on. I have written to the FA, including Sir Trevor Brooking who watched Coventry City Ladies play the formal opening game at The Ricoh, players who came through the Centre of Excellence ranks since their childhood. Birmingham will have three centres at newly formed West Brom, Aston Villa and Birmingham City. Girls will have to travel to Birmingham, Leicester or as far away as Derby if they want to play for an FA COE". Many Clubs who have had their applications rejected are now left to form their own playing academies in order to stem the lost of their Centre of Excellence Facilities as they bid to stay at the highest level within the Women's Football Pyramid. In a statement the FA said: “This improved FA Girls’ Talent Development pathway will have long term sustainability, will support the entry route into the Centres at a grassroots level, develop grassroots clubs at younger age groups and will also provide women’s teams with well educated and better equipped players in all four areas.” And with the North East of England having no Super League representative or CoE Facilities many fear Girls are losing out in a postcode lottery around the Country which sees some parts of the England flourishing while others are laid threadbare. Those Parents and Club Officials concerned about the FA's cull in COE facilities wanting to voice their opinions are being urged to write to their local MP and Get him or her to raise the matter with the Minister for Sport, who in-turn can ask questions of the FA on not just how the decision not to grant Clubs a licence was reached but why the process was not transparent.

PHOTO SALES & PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK Photographs which appear on this website, and with those displayed in mach galleries on www.ladiesfootball.moonfruit.com can be purchased from Us Prices varied according to Sizes, which range from 6x4 to 7x5 and 8x6 to 12x8 with or without boarders in Glossy or Matte Finish Images can be personally delivered to games or sent to Clubs Residential Addresses, Match Images carry a money-back guarantee and are professional printed by the UKs leading Photo Lab if you are not happy with any Photographs purchased simply return the Photos for a full refund excluding any postage charges. Photographic Orders take about 7-10 days working days and are invoiced upon Delivery. Each Photo has a Unique Reference number in our match galleries. Should you need any Help with Purchasing Photographs just drop- us an email, and we will happily sort out any Photos you would like to purchase. Over the Past 12 months, my work has been featured in various TM Regional Newspaper Publications. Furthermore, if you need a Photographer for an Event and/or Special Occasssion, then why not consider Me? I do not, However, undertake Wedding Photogaphy only as a back-up photographer. Hit the link below if you would like to view some of my previous photographic work. Images displayed on our moonfruit website appear less Sharpe on your Monitor as they are low resolution Photo Watermarks were applicable are removed - Should you any Questions relating to Photo or their use, please feel free to contact Us. Glenn Lawrence "Putting You In The Picture" Should you ever see any Photos you would like to purchased taken by Glenn Lawrence here is a guild to the 2012 Printing Charges for each Photograph, Photos ordered carry a money back guarantee if not delighted with your high quality Prints, Photos displayed on our Monnfruit Website are low quality images which enables the Website to load more quickly Images are Produced by the UK’s leading Photo Lab – I will at times offer You a discount on these prices If I Know You - Should you have any Photographic Inquires. please contact me on 0753 0680 793 prices are per photo and are not available for Commercial Use. Photos displayed on ladiesfootball.moonfruit.com are not available in all size's payments in upon invoice by cash or cheque to you, or Your Clubs registered Address. Not all Photos will print in all the following sizes, Photos can only be ordered by Phone or Email. Standard Newspaper Charges are listed below, However, you will receive a 1/3 off, or your photos at half the listed prices 7x5 inch Photographic Prints 1 £9 P&P £1.95 7x5 inch Photographic Prints 2 £8 P&P £1.95 7x5 inch Photographic Prints 3 £7 P&P £1.95 7x5 inch Photographic Prints 4 £6 P&P £1.95 7x5 inch Photographic Prints 5+ £6 P&P £1.95 7x5 inch Photographic Prints 10+ £5 P&P £2.95 8x6 inch Photographic Prints 1 £9.75 P&P £1.95 8x6 inch Photographic Prints 2 £8.25 P&P £1.95 8x6 inch Photographic Prints 3+ £7.25 £1.95 6x9 inch Photographic Prints 1 £9.75 P&P £1.95 6x9 inch Photographic Prints 2 £8.25 P&P £1.95 6x9 inch Photographic Prints 3+ £7.25 P&P £1.95 10x8 inch Photographic Prints 1 £10 P&P £1.95 10x8 inch Photographic Prints 2 £8.50 P&P £1.95 10x8 inch Photographic Prints 3+ £7.75 P&P £1.95 12x8 inch Photographic Prints 1 £12 P&P £3.20 12x8 inch Photographic Prints 2 £10 P&P £3.20 12x8 inch Photographic Prints 3+ £8.50 P&P £3.20 10x12 inch Photographic Prints 1+ £12 P&P £3.20 10x15 inch Photographic Prints 1+ £15 P&P £3.20 12x16 inch Photographic Prints 1+ £16 P&P £3.20 20x16 inch Photographic Prints 1+ £20 P&P £4.20 20x20 inch Photographic Prints 1+ £21 P&P £4.75 20x24 inch Photographic Prints 1+ £23 P&P £4.75 30x20 inch Photographic Prints 1+ £30 P&P £4.75 All images on this website and others sites including ladiesfootball.moonfruit.com and glennlawrence.org.uk are the copyright to Glenn Lawrence and may have been used by Trinity Mirror Southern Publications and/or LSN Media. Their sale is restricted to private use and they may not be printed from the screen, copied, distributed, published or used for any commercial purpose without the written consent. To obtain written consent for any of the above, for any image use please contact associated-press@gmx.co.uk should you produce a match-day programme and wish to include a few images I have of any of your Clubs games please contact me. Prices correct January 2012 http://www.glennlawrencemedia.co.uk/#home

MANAGER AND COACHES RECRUITMENT SECTION MANAGER REQUIRED Leafield Athletic Ladies FC is looking to appoint a First Team Manager for season 2012/2013. Vince Gordon who has been with the Midland Combination league club for three seasons has stepped down from the post due to family commitments. ‘Vince has done an excellent job in his time with us securing two successive finishes in the top half of the table, We are extremely grateful for all the work he has done’ said club chairperson Kevin Thornhill.‘Our objective is to build on the work that Vince has done and work towards promotion’ added Thornhill Mark Smith, Assistant Manager and First Team coach and Paul Smith, goal-keeping coach would remain in their roles, much to the delight of the club. ‘Level 3 coaches with Mark’s experience and commitment are hard to come by, and we are delighted that Mark is staying, the same can be said about Paul’ said Thornhill. The ideal candidate should have managerial experience within the female game, preferably at a senior level. They must possess excellent organizational and communication skills and a desire to want to lead an established Combination club with a strong and successful youth structure to the next level. An FA level 3 coaching qualification is desirable but not essential, and the post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced CRB disclosure. Informal enquiries to Dan Hearnden, Club Secretary are welcome in the first instance, please contact 07956 858 158 or email dan@leafieldathletic.co.uk. PLACE YOUR AD HERE Need a New Manager or Coach, Well our Webite reaches Hundreds of Hits Weekly and Your New Staff could be Reading This Message Right Now to place a Free ad Email Us

ENJOYABLE & GOOD SEASON FOR NEW COPSEWOOD MANAGER RYAN CONNEELY The end of the 2010/2011 season saw Copsewood Ladies somehow narrowly avoid relegation from the Women's Midland Combination League. A year later the team had somewhat disappointingly finished the season in 4th place but manager Ryan Conneely is still relieved that the club is even in existence. After last season had finished Copsewood had only 8 players who wished to continue for another season so it looked like if the club was going to try to continue it would be in for another year of struggling to stay in the division never mind being able to put 11 players on the field. Ryan Conneely and his assistant manager and younger brother Joseph, decided that they would see how the initial 2 weeks in pre-season went before deciding whether to continue or not. After 2 months of non-stop hard work in trying to attract new players to the club (at least 50 players must have been approached) the managers were pleasantly surprised with the turn outs for the first couple of weeks in pre-season. However, they still realised that they needed to bring in players who they believed were up to the quality of the Midland Combination. The first week in August proved to be the real turning point in the club's fortunes when Sarah Aston, Pindy Shoker and Sofia Walker were all signed from local team Coventry Sphinx, and Stacey Christie came from Coventry City. "Copsewood has always had a core of players who could hurt any team on their day but the problem we had faced was not having a squad to cope with the pressures of the league but when the above four mentioned players signed I knew that we had the potential to have a solid season." With 1 week to go before the start of the season, Copsewood had had a highly impressive pre-season programme with some excellent performances against Nottingham Forest, Leicester City Women and Mansfield Town and a mid-table finish looked achievable. The club received another massive boost when Laura Stevenson and Abby Hadlum also signed from Coventry City and Abiyola Riley (who had scored around 100 goals in lower leagues, and someone who Ryan had tried to sign the previous year) signed from Wednesfield Town. "Going into the season with 7 new signings each of whom had high levels of quality probably raised my expectations a little too high but either way I knew that we would be in for a far better season than we had in past years." The season itself couldn't have got off to a better start for Copsewood, who began with a stunning 3-1 win over potential title-chasers Radcliffe. That win. However, proved to be the only one in August and September and after 6 games had gone, Copsewood found themselves 3rd bottom with just 4 points. The most important defeat during that spell was when the team undeservedly got knocked out of the League Cup, going down to a 2-1 defeat against high-flying Stoke City, although the level of performance in that game was possibly the best during the whole season. October was when the team finally started to click and Copsewood went on a 4 game unbeaten run, winning 3 of those games, which propelled them up the league table. Included in this run was the amazing 3-2 victory over Northampton Town, who saw Copsewood score 3 goals in the last 8 minutes to turn the game completely on its head. Going into the game with eventual champions' Wolves, Copsewood knew that a win would make them serious title contenders but unfortunately on the day, Conneely's team failed to really turn up and were beaten 2-1. November was the month which saw Copsewood progress to the next rounds of the F.A and County Cups with wins over Mansfield Town and Stratford Town. Their league form continued to be fairly good with a win and a draw against TNS and Leafield. December proved to be a fatal month in the club's season as the teams were knocked out in the F.A cup after extra time against our apparently bogey team Stoke City and were controversially kicked out of the County Cup for fielding an ineligible player even though she was signed on. The team was boosted significantly, However, with Jodie McGuckin and Leona McCook returning after a year out each and Jade Ogle coming back from a lengthily injury. At the turn of the new year, Copsewood had scored 52 goals in 19 league and cup games but had conceded 47, which would later prove to be the club's real downfall. January began in perfect fashion with Copsewood smashing Radcliffe 4-0 and earning only 1 of 2 clean sheets throughout the entire season, but this result was followed up with a disappointing 3-2 home defeat by the improving Loughborough Foxes. February came and Copsewood knew that they would need to win their remaining 5 games if they were to have a sniff of promotion and after fantastic wins over Curzon Ashton and Loughborough Students, Copsewood went into the game with Stoke City knowing that a win would be massive for the teams' prospects. Unfortunately, for everyone connected with Copsewood, this game proved to be a huge let down as poor goals conceded meant that Stoke were resounding winners in a 6-1 score-line. Copsewood did respond brilliantly though, and beat Curzon again; this time with a 5-3 win. After a month off Copsewood went into their last game against Loughborough Students knowing that a win would see them finish in an amazing 3rd placed position but after a farce of a day which seen Pindy Shoker, Nicola Foskett and Abiyola Riley have to come off for different reasons, a depleted Copsewood team were narrowly beaten 3-2. Overall it has been a fantastic season for Copsewood. Having nearly folded in the summer, the Conneely brothers would have settled for just completing the season but to improve so much in a short space of time and finish the league in 4th place is a remarkable feat for everyone connected. "Having personally witnessed how much of a struggle it has been for the club over the past few seasons, I would just like to thank everyone who has stuck with me and Joseph. Long serving players such as captain Amanda Whalley, leading goal scorer Nicola Foskett and the now pregnant Marsha Towey I hope have been rewarded for the commitment they have shown in me. In terms of this season, I believe that we have come a long way and collectively and individually have improved an awful lot. We are the leagues leading goal scorers (Foskett and Riley being the 1st and 2nd top scorers respectively) but at the same time, we have conceded the second most goals in the league which is something I will be hoping to address over the summer. I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank everybody associated with Copsewood Coventry Ladies, and I look forward to what hopefully will be another enjoyable season next year." Pictured Midlands Combination Leading Goal-Scorer Nicola Foskett Photo Glenn Lawrence.