Latest Midlands Womens Soccer News For The Midlands & Beyond On Friday 27th January 2012. - newsroom@ladiessoccer.co.uk To Get Your News On-Line or Too Mail any Comments - The Leading Midlands News Source From The Heart Of England & Beyond BIRMINGHAM CITY SIGN TORKILDSEN Super League side Birmingham City have signed 26 year old Christine Torkildsen (Picture Right) from FA Premier League neighbours Coventry City. Despite promising performance last term, which helped City Ladies gain promotion from the FA womens Premier League Northern Division Torkildsen has struggled to command a first-team shirt this season and has decided to join Super League runners-up Birmingham City Ladies for a second spell having previously been with the Blues for three years before signing for Coventry City Ladies in 2010. Torkildesen joined Birmingham City from Doncaster Rovers Belles in 2007 having spent just one season with the South Yorkshire club. ANOUK DEPARTS BRISTOL TO RETURN HOME Bristol Academy's Anouk Hoogendijk has opted to return back to the Dutch football fields. The 26-year-old international who left Holland for the Sunny South West has re-joined FC Utrecht, the club she left twelve months ago. "The football in England was different, faster and more physical than in the Dutch league,'' said Hoogendijk " The decision to return to FC Utrecht was not easy. But I can develop good soccer skills there, and my social life combined with the better football.'' WEEKEND FIXTURES Now on-line a full list of all the weekends match action from around the Midlands and Beyond - Don't forget if you can spare us a few minutes, then we hope you will participate in our football Survey there's about 25 Simply questions about the Sites we run and women's Football, mainly with Yes or No Answers to part-take simply go to our moonfruit website and click on the Football Survey banner at the bottom of the home-page. SUNDAY GAME SWITCHED. Leicester City women's FC have switched their FA Premier League Cup Group game against Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest This Sunday Afternoon 29th January 2012 too Topps Park, Oadby Town FC, Wigston, Leicester LE2 5GQ Kick Off is at 2pm BIRMINGHAM COUNTY CUP NEWS The Semi-Final draw for this seasons Birmingham FA County Cup is as Follows, With Ties to be played on Sunday 19th February 2012 Kick Off 1.30pm Aston Villa v Coventry Development (Church Road, Boldmere St Michaels) Wolverhampton Wanderers v Coventry City (Goodrich Sports Ground) Which means Coventry City's scheduled league match in the FA Premier League National Division away at Nottingham Forest will be postponed along with Aston Villa's home game against Sunderland, While Wolves trip to Radcliffe Olympic in the Midlands Combination will also be put on hold. Meantime in the Northamptonshire FA the Semi-Final draw sees Daventry Town Ladies hosting Peterborough Northern Star and Peterborough Sports Parkway entertaining Northampton Town Ladies on Sunday 19th February 2012. Elswhere The Qurter Final draw for the Leicestershire & Rutland FA County Cup has also be made and is as follows; Barlestone St Giles v Loughborough Students Castle Donington v Lutterworth Athletic Heather St Johns v Loughborough Foxes Leicester City Ladies v Leicester City Womens 2012 FA CUP FINAL AWARDED TO BRISTOL CITY Bristol City's Ashton Gate stadium will be the venue to host the 2012 FA Women's Cup final on Saturday 26 May. The game will form part of Bristol Sports Week - a week of sporting events, including the London 2012 Olympic torch relay and the annual Bristol 10k race. Arsenal beat Bristol Academy 2-0 in last year's final at Coventry's Ricoh Arena. "It's a fantastic stadium with great facilities," said Sue Hough, chair of the FA Women's committee. "With Bristol being the home of one of our top women's football clubs, Bristol Academy, we are really hoping that fans, families and teams from across the region, and across the country as a whole, will help us make this a truly memorable occasion in the women's football calendar." Bristol City's chief executive Guy Price added: "We are very proud to be hosting the match and look forward to putting on a fantastic event at Ashton Gate for the final." However, once again the second successive year The FA has opted to change the fixture from its traditionally held Bank Holiday Monday slot FA WOMENS CUP FINAL TICKET NEWS Tickets are now on sale for The 2012 Womens FA Cup Final sponsored by Budweiser to be played at Ashton Gate in Briston on Saturday 26th May 2012 Kick Off 3pm. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £2.50 for children and OAP’s, £2.50 for disabled fans (carer goes free) or £10 for a family of four. There is a £1.50 booking fee per transaction.A group discount (minimum 15 people with one adult per 10 children) is available at the cost of £3 for adults and £2 for children. Transaction fee of £3.00. Tickets are on sale from the Bristol City ticket office on 0117 963 0600 or online ww.eticketing.co.uk/bristolcityfc and in person from Ashton Gate Stadium. LEICESTER CITY LADIES HOPING FOR BIG CUP SUPPORT Leicester Citry Ladies are hpoing fans from across the City will turn out in force to support their FA Cup game against Cardiff City on Sunday 5th February 2012... Full Story on our Homepage. SISTER ACT JOINS LEICESTER CITY LADIES. Leicester City Ladies are delighted to announce two new senior signings, The acquisition of Sisters Reva and Tori Allen, who have joined the Midlands club will strengthen their Midlands Combination squad. Delighted First Team Manger Matt Cook welcomed the Duo Sisters of England and Lincoln star Remi Allen by saying, “I am delighted to sign the girls; they have been patient and showed such maturity in waiting to qualify to sign senior deals. Furthermore, both have had an up and down year or so in football. I am happy they have chosen Leicester City Ladies to employ their trade and hopefully now they can settle down, enjoy their football and develop into the players I know they can become.” HAMILTON WILL BE A PRECIOUS SIGNING FOR LINCOLN Lincoln Ladies undertake another preseason outing on Thursday night when they taken on Sheffield FC Ladies at Sheffield United Academy, Team-Chief Glen Harris saw his Lincoln charges inflicted a 7-0 drubbing on Sheffield Wednesday last week in a game which new recruit Precious Hamilton featured, Manager, Glen Harris is thrilled to have secured the signing of Hamilton, whom he deems can become a big hit with the fans. "It's brilliant to have Precious here. She's an interesting and exciting player to watch, and I think that the fans will enjoy seeing what she can do" Along with Hamilton, Harris has drafted in Arsenal's Meaghan Sargeant who has been a regular player at England Under 19 level and who has spent nearly 2 years at the Club playing academy and Reserve team football. "Meaghan is a tall, strong, quick defender who can play anywhere across the back line and is one of the brightest young prospects in the country. I have seen her develop as a footballer through the centre of excellence programme at Sheffield United and I am delighted that we have signed her for the forthcoming super league season" added Harris "Having recentIy watched her in Holland playing for the U-19s against France and Holland she was the stand out player. I know with her working alongside experienced quality England players her game will develop and I fully expect her to be challenging for a starting place." Lincoln Ladies new signings of Collette McCallum and Laura Alleway are expected to join the club at the end of January ahead of the upcoming FA Women's Super League campaign,The Duo are joining the Lincolnshire club from Australia, where they are established national team players appearing in last summer's World Cup. Lincoln manager Glen Harris believes that the new additions show a sign of intent to the rest of the teams in the league." Laura is a young defender from Brisbane Roar, who we believe can do a job for us at the back," said Harris " Collette is a midfielder from Perth Glory, who has a vast world of experience. She has won almost 70 caps for her country scoring 9 goals, and her time in the American leagues has shown that she can win championships. This is something that we want to do in the WSL, and we are pleased to have her here. " These are two great players, and I think that everyone else in the league will have to take notice now. This is a fantastic sign of our intentions, especially considering that we faced opposition from other clubs for the girls' signatures." Meantime the Midlands Club believes it is highly unlikely they will stage any WSL Fixtures at Sincil Bank this season and following a preseason midweek outing in which the Imps showed their "Goal Power" Supporters will be awaiting news of further preseason trips, which are in the final stages of being finalized. STRATFORD TOWN LADIES SEEK NEW MANAGER-COACH. Stratford Town Ladies are looking for a new manager/coach to take over at the Midlands club. Unfortunately, due to work commitments Daryl Fletcher has left the post as the Clubs ladies manager. Anyone interested in the post should contact Esther Slater on 0779 3033141. The committee and players of Stratford Town Ladies would like to thank Daryl for his time and effort he has given to the Warwickshire club. The Club is also looking for New Players to help them with their West Midlands Premiership campaign. WEEKEND RESULTS Now on-line this weeks Results Round-up no game was covered by Myself this weekend. CAN YOU HELP? In order to gather some useful information about Our women's Football Coverage, I have added a Football Survey http://kwiksurveys.com/online-survey.php?surveyID=OBJOKK_10136e41 Copy and Paste The Link If you can Spare a Few Minutes to answer some simply Football Questions - Thank You. NEW LADIES 6 A-SIDE LEAGUE KICKS-OFF A new ladies 6 a-side football league kicks off in Willenhall. The league will be held at Willenhall School Leisure, and Community centre on Furzebank Way between 7.30pm-9.30pm. The games will take place on their astro pitch taking up a 30 minute slot. We are just in the process of recruiting teams and will start as soon as we have enough. The league will run all year round with the winners and runners of the league will enter the national tournament. The league will be a good place to meet new friends and find players for 11 a side team's. To sign up please copy and paste the link below. Register your details and click continue to pay membership (the league is free for first four teams) and then leave it there. You must click continue to pay membership, so they receive your details www.leisureleagues.net/uk/england/walsall-and-wolverhampton/wolverhampton-ladies-league.aspx or call Frazer Reid 07403 069 819 FRIDAY THE 13th WAS A LUCKY DAY FOR SOME Friday 13th January was certainly a memorable day for the Bluebell Wood Hospice and young resident Savanagh Taylor, aged nine, as Doncaster Rovers Belles Ladies Football Club presented a £250 cheque to World Cup referee, Howard Webb MBE, who is Bluebell Wood's patron. Howard outlined and explained that it costs over £2.5 million every year to provide care and support in the Community to children and young adults with a shortened life expectancy. As the inaugural Women's Super League second season draws ever closer the Belles invited partners, backers and supporters to join Howard at the Keepmoat Stadium for their end of season presentation awards where Fridays donated funds originated from. On arrival at Bluebell Wood, the Belles Star Julie-Ann Russell and Aine O'Gorman along with top soccer Referee Howard Webb were greeted by Savannah, who took the opportunity to meet with Howard and the Belles players there on the day. The Belles are following in the footsteps of the local male counterparts and professional clubs from the Steel City of Sheffield, Rotherham United and Doncaster Rovers, who have all in the past supported Bluebell Wood Children's hospice as part of The Football League's partnership to Help the Local Hospices. Vice-Chair and Business Manager Alan Smart said of the day: "What a massively humbling experience, it was the first visit for all of us at the club. I don't think any of us would mind saying that we were all emotionally affected on the day and hopefully in some way our small donation can help" Belles manager John Buckley added: "We'll definitely maintain our link with Bluebell Wood and look to do something going forward in 2012. I'm thinking of something around one of our games in this season's Women's Super League for the families." DCS STADIUM TO HOST WSL SOCCER ONCE AGAIN Stratford Town has confirmed its DCS Stadium will once again host Birmingham City's home Super League games featuring Birmingham city ladies fc on a Sunday Afternoon (2pm) and Thursday Evenings (7.45pm) with Kick Off times are subject to change. However, Stratford Town look unlikely to be able to stage any UEAF Champions Womens League encounters featuring Birmingham City Ladies FC, it is also likely that the Valley Stadium in Redditch will also not meet UEAF Ground Grading Regulations on Floodlights, although the Venue would in theory be able to stage afternoon's games while Damson Parkway is a border case as to whether it meets UEAF's specifications on its Lighting. Fans planning to watch and attend any of the Clubs UEAF games this season due to be stage in October 2012 when the Midlands Club enters the last 32 of the Competition are reminded that they will NOT be able to purchase Alcohol and will not be served any Alcoholic Drinks by the host venue Prior to or During any of thge Clubs home games this sesaon in the women's UEAF Champions League as UEAF enforces its alcohol banning order at English Grounds. However, it's widely known that Chairman, and club had favored moving the Midlands Club nearer to its Birmingham grass roots heritage and had hoped to stage home games at Alexandra Palace in the Perry Bar district of Birmingham. STAR NOT DAUNTED BY BARNET FA CUP DRAW Peterborough Northern Star Ladies insist they won’t be daunted by facing a team overflowing with talent in the FA Women’s Cup. The city side has roared into the third round where they will meet Premier League outfit Barnet Ladies at Underhill the home of their Football League male counterparts for Whom Jimmy Greaves once played many yaers ago next month. The London club boasts a host of full senior, Under 21 and junior internationals and will unquestionably provide the biggest test to date in Star’s mini cup adventure. Speaking after his side where paired agaainst Barnet Ladies in the next round of the FA Cup Star team-chief Chris Lyon said: “We have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain,“Our ladies can pit themselves against what is currently the fifth-best team in the country according to the Premier League table. No-one will expect us to have a prayer, but you never know. We struggled to beat Brackley, who were three leagues below us in the very first round yet we’ve now managed to come through five matches, and we’re still standing. Anything can happen in a game of football, and if we’re still in touch with Barnet after 45 minutes, who knows?” Star earned the trip on 5th of February down the A1 after seeing off lower-level opponents' Coventry Sphinx in the second round thanks to the odd goal, And with nothing to lose Lyon will be hoping his side can construct a damage limitation exercise but insists the Northamptonshire FA County League minnows will be an unknown force which could be a Banana skin for Barnet at the impressive Underhill facilities. HALF-TERM SOCCER SCHOOL During the half term School break 13th - 17th February, Bristol Academy WFC is hosting a football camp for girls and boys aged 8-16 years of age. Participants will be able to spend a week with the Vixens having the opportunity to train and learn new silky soccer skills from some of the best female footballers in the southwest. Bristol Academy has recently been awarded Club of the Year after a successful first season in the new Women’s Super League and reaching the FA Cup Final and the UEFA Champions League. The camps will run Monday to Thursday 13th, 14th, 16th and 17th February, costing £20 a day or £75 for the full four days. Camps will start from 9am – 5pm, for boys and girls aged 8 – 16 years of age. Participants need to bring boots, shin pads, a packed lunch and plenty of fluid. To book a place or for more information, please contact Ann-Marie.Heatherson@filton.ac.uk or Telephone 0790 1227 040. PS FRIENDLIES FOR SUPER LEAGUE CLUBS A list of Pre Sesaon games involving members of the FA Women's Super League has been added to relevant FA WSL 2012 News section. COVENTRY CITY LADIES HAVE A BALL On Saturday, 4th February 2012 at the Ricoh Arena Coventry Ladies Football Club is hosting a Gala Dinner and Ball. The Night is set to be compared by Dave Sharpe with an Internationally renowned after-dinner speaker and top soccer Referee Howard Webb, The night will comprise of a three-course dinner, sparkles reception and live music on the night from Abbadabbadoo as the musical entertainment, an Abba tribute band and will be hosted by Former Club Manager from 20 years ago Dave Sharp from the BBC, There will also be a fundraising aspect to the evening with a raffle and auctions, Hamilton Bland from Signatures of the World will have a silent auction at the back of the room. A percentage of the funds raised from the evening will go to the NSPCC who will forward donation to Boole House in Coventry, a home for sexually abused children. Tickets are £45 Per head Discount for Group Bookings of Tables of 10 (£400) Tickets available from The Ricoh Arena or Coventry City Ladies FC on 07740 869757 so for a fabulous night's entertainment in the luxury surroundings of the Ricoh Arena Join Coventry City Ladies FC for an evening to remember on Saturday 4th February. To book tickets please contact Suzette.Johnson@Ricoharena.com or Telephone 0844 873 6310. Get in the spirit of the evening, and dress to impress! come and enjoy a great night out with Coventry City Ladies at the (Ricoh) Coventry Stadium which will be hosting Olympic Football in 2012. FA WSL FIXTURES NOW ON-LINE The full fixtures programme for the 2012 women's FA Super League which kicks off in Mid March with the Continental Cup Competition is now on-line on the FA WSL 2012 page, plus there's a look to the attendances of games played during the First Sesaon. FA women's Super League teams will enter the FA Cup on March 11th and begin their Continental Cup pool games seven days later after a change of format, for this seasons Continunental League Cup teams will be split into two groups of four teams, with the top two sides in each group progressing to the semi-final stages. FA WSL Opening Days Fixtures for Sunday 8th April 2012 - One game is expected to be put back 24 hours and will be Televised by ESPN on Saturday 7th April ESPN refused to comment on its broadcast Scehedule. However, it is widely expected the Broadcaster will televise the Arsenal home game. with an early or late Kick-Off. Arsenal Ladies v Everton Ladies Chelsea Ladies v Doncaster Rovers Belles Lincoln Ladies v Birmingham City Ladies Liverpool Ladies v Bristol Academy Women BELLES CONTINUE TO RING CHANGES Doncaster Rovers Belles Manager John Buckley has again signalled his intent to make Rovers a dominant force as the South Yorkshire club gears-up for their second season in the FA women's Super League having added Sue Smith and Leanadra Little Belles have signed of Republic of Ireland international winger Julie-Ann Russell from Peamount United. Russell, 20, has represented her country and is just shy of capturing 50 caps having represented the country at Under 15, 17, 19 and senior levels. Belles manager John Buckley “I’m delighted that we have been able to bring Julie-Ann to the club. She has been on our radar for the last couple of years so it’s nice to have finally secured her signature. Julie-Ann has progressed all the way through the Irish youth set up into the senior side. She is a winger who can play either side, She can go past people and has a good left foot. Russell who is a former FAI Under 19 Women's player of the Year kicked off her career with Salthill Devon before going on to enjoy a successful spell at Galway Ladies where she helped the Club to capture the FAI Senior Women's Cup, The talented winger then moved stake-side to join American W-League club Los Angeles Strikers in April 2011. She returned to Ireland to play for Peamount United in the 2011–12 UEFA Women's Champions League."Julie-Ann is an attacking player who is hungry to do well, and I’m looking forward to working with her. She gives us good options, and we now have terrific competition for places in wide areas adding Belles manager John Buckley. Meantime Belles fans are being offered the chance to get their hands on early-bird season tickets with Rovers announcing admission charges for their 2012 games at the Keepmoat Stadium of £6 and £3 will remain at 2011 prices Belles kick off their WSL league campaign on Sunday 8th April with a trip to Surrey to play Chelsea Ladies ahead of their first league appearance at the Keepmoat on Sunday 22nd April when Champions Arsenal Ladies arrive in Town. PETERBOROUGH EVENING NEWS USES PHOTO Glenn Lawrence this week provided and supplied Johnson Press publishers of the Peterborough Evening Telegraph with Photos from the FA women's cup, Full story on the papers' website - http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/junior-football/star_set_to_face_stars_thanks_to_ikeda_goal_1_3413163 MISTOOK COSTS COPSEWOOD COUNTY CUP PLACE Copsewood ladies have been kicked out of the Birmingham FA County Cup Competition. Unaware of a rule that states a player must be signed 7 days prior to a county cup fixture before they can play, Copsewood manager Ryan Conneely presumed that their league rules (which allow a player to be signed 2 days prior to a game) applied for cup competitions as well. However, this was not the case and having brought on a player who was signed 3 days before the game as a substitute in the 65th minute of their match against Coventry Sphinx, the county FA has decided that this offence is worthy of Eliminating the Midlands Club from the competition. Everybody associated with Copsewood Ladies are deeply disappointed with the decision, none more so than the manager, whose genuine honest mistake has cost his players the chance to progress in the County Cup this season. DONCASTER ROVERS BELLES FA WSL league side Doncaster Rover Belles have confirmed their 2012 Admission prices for theit home league and cup games at the Keepmoat Stadium this sesaon, Prices will be £6 for Adults and £3 Concession (U16s, OAPs) The South Yorkshire club are offering fans Early Bird Season Tickets with prices at £28 for Adults £14 for Concessions and £69 for Family Season Ticket (2 Adults, 2 U-16's) On the 1st February the new prices take effect for Season Tickets 2012 Adult Season Ticket £32 Concession £16 Family Season Ticket: £89 (2 Adults, 2 U-16's). Manager John Buckley has moved to re-enforced his squad after signing Sue Smith and Leandra Little from Linoln Ladies. GIRLS FRIDAY NIGHTS FOOTBALL FUN IN NORTHAMPTON The MDH Midshires Girls football league provides football for girls throughout Northamptonshire and in preparation for next season, the league are starting a few new Friday night girls football sessions for 7-11 year olds. Some of these sessions are already linked to clubs, and the aim is to bring in players from 7-11 years old to start learning some football skills and enjoying the game from an early age in a safe, fun environment. There are three different venues for the sessions, all on Friday evenings around Northampton. Every session is £2 and no previous playing experience is necessary. The sessions involve skill development, fun football games and small sided matches. All sessions are run by FA qualified coaches with enhanced CRB checks, First Aid and Safeguarding Children qualifications. The aim of each session is to develop a new team or teams over time ready to compete in the Midshires Girls League once registered. Girls are asked to ensure that they wear shin pads and to bring a drink and wear suitable clothing. Prior booking is not essential, but it is advisable. All contact details are listed below, with venue dates and times. If your daughter would like to get involved, please contact the named person for the relevant session below or turn up at the allocated venue on Friday. All sessions run from Friday 13th January 2012. Please note the times vary between venues. Thomas Becket Catholic School Linked to Parklands FC Fridays 7-8pm £2 per player Contact: Karen Naylor – 07545 552619 Midshiressecretary@gmail.com Northampton Academy Linked to Thorplands Club 81 Fridays 6-7pm £2 per player Contact: Colin Lee – 07788 864383 colinlee23@btinternet.com GOALS Soccer centre Abbeyfields School Fridays 7-8pm £2 per player Contact: Dave Hughes – 07545 436968 dvdhu@madasafish.com LEICESTER CITY LADIES ENJOY COMMUNITY SPRIT Leicester City Ladies made a morale boosting visit on Christmas Eve to cheer up the Residents at South Lodge Residential Home in Leicester, Manager Matt Cook and members of the City Ladies squad, Megan Footman, Amy Thorpe, Sarah Burbidge, Kayleigh Hillier, Aimee Cattel and Laura Charles were on hand to present residents with a hamper of goodies ahead of the festive season to the Senior Citizens, City Ladies who have enjoyed a good Midlands Combination league campaign ended 2011 in fourth league place five points adrift of table toppers' Stoke City Ladies. However, a 2-0 away defeat at lowly TNS on the last day of league action was a big disappointment for Matt Cook as City Ladies last ground in the title race, However, the Ladies have started 2012 in style by posting a 2-1 win over fellow Combination league rivals Loughborough Students in the women's FA Cup to book a mouth-watering home third round tie against top flight Cardiff City Ladies from the FA Premier League Southern Section who have in their ranks several Welsh Internationals. FORTHCOMING FOOTBALL COURSES IN HEREFORD Tuesday 7th February - FA Charter Standard Club In-Service Training – 7v7 Working With Players, Formations & Systems Of Play In Mini-Soccer. Venue to Be Confirmed. Tutor|: Chris Dowhan. Please Contact Paul To Book A Place. Starting Monday 13th February - FA Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Football, Starting Friday 17th February - FA Level 1 Award in Coaching Football, Starting Monday 5th March - FA Age Appropriate Coaching – Introductory Module (Leads To FA Youth Award Module 1) Starting Tuesday 6th March - FA McDonalds Mentoring Adults, Starting Thursday 8th March – FA Basic First Aid for Sport, Starting Thursday 15th March – FA McDonalds Coaching Adult Players Starting Saturday 17th March – FA Level 1 Goalkeeping Coaching Award, Sunday 18th March - FA Coaching Futsal: A Beginners Guide To View The Full Course Programme For 2012 Please Visit: Http://Www.Herefordshirefa.Com/Development/Courses/ - Online Course Details & Bookings Can Be Found By Following The Online Link Below. If You Cannot See the Course You Are Interested In Then Please Contact Paul Carpenter. Http://Eventspace.Thefa.Com/Herefordshirefa/Participant/S.Aspx Please Contact Paul If You Would Prefer To Apply For A Course Using A Paper Application Form. Courses Will Go Ahead Subject To Numbers Booked On Or Around The Application Deadline Date. Many Thanks For Your Continued Support Of Grassroots Football In Herefordshire. GB FUTSAL TEAM The Great Britain National B1 Futsal Team will be taking part in 2 friendly matches against France at the Point 4 in early February. On Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th February, the Point 4 in Hereford will host 2 B1 International Futsal Friendlies involving the Great Britain B1 Futsal Team and France.These games will be warm up games as preparation for the Paralympics On Saturday 4th February - 2pm Kick Off and Sunday 5th February - 10am Kick Off As always we at the Point would like to provide the teams with fantastic support and therefore we have the pleasure in announcing that the tickets are available to purchase directly from the Point 4 (01432-376376 - Option 1) using a credit/debit card or are available to collect in person. Tickets are priced at £3 for adults and £1.50 for concessions (this is the price per game). Further information can be found on the attached flyer or by following the team on Twitter: @blindfootball or via the FA Website: www.thefa.com We look forward to seeing you at the event! CITY CHAIRMAN STEPS DOWN Coventry City Ladies chairman Dave Singleton is to step down, Singleton has been associated with the ladies side for over a decade now playing a major role in the Midlands clubs transformation and sensational rise up women's football pyramid .However the local businessman has decided to end his ten-year reign and will play a prime role in selecting a successor whom he wants to be at the helm by the end of the current season. "We're at a point where we need additional leadership to help us through the next few years and I think we should seek to attract a personality who can invest time into the club that it desperately needs," he said."We are the only club in the National Premiership who work without the support of the men's club or significant outside investment. I know if we have the investment we need we can be as big as any club in ladies football in Europe. "I'm not walking away from this amazing club I've been a part of for ten years, but 2012 has to be a year when we cement our position as one of the country's top Premiership women's football clubs. "This club has everything it needs to keep on going, but to do that we have to strengthen our board and attract someone to the club who can invest time and find others who can be as generous with time and attract potential investment. HARRINGTON APPOINTED AS MD AT ST GEORGES PARK Julie Harrington has been appointed as Managing Director of St. George’s Park, the new national football centre for England. Harrington, 42, will join The FA in March 2012 after leaving her post as Operations Director at Northern Racing, the horse racing and events' operator. St. George’s Park will be the training headquarters for all 24 England teams, and a national coach education, development and sports medicine centre for football, sport and business. Speaking about the appointment, David Sheepshanks, Chairman of St. George’s Park, said: “I am delighted to welcome Julie Harrington to St. George’s Park. Julie has a first class record of creating customer focused, high-performance teams that deliver excellent results. Her background and understanding of the sporting world and experience of working alongside the business community, the media and government will stand her in good stead. “Our focus in 2012 is not only on the completion of the development next summer, but also on driving the business plan and ensuring that the many constituent parts of St. George’s Park gel together effectively. We all look forward to supporting her in what will be a seminal year for English football with the arrival of St. George’s Park.” The FA’s General Secretary, Alex Horne, said: “Julie is a welcome addition to the senior management team of The FA and brings with her a great deal of experience in operations and also in major sports venue openings. “St. George’s Park represents a significant investment by The FA and our partners, not only in monetary terms, but in terms of the future of our game. Getting our delivery right, from day one, is important, and we have every confidence that Julie will succeed in helping us achieve this.” Harrington commented: “I am thrilled to be appointed as Managing Director of St. George’s Park. The facility taking shape in Burton will be truly inspirational and a fantastic asset to The FA, football as a whole and the region. The opportunity to be part of the future development of our national game is a challenge I relish and feel privileged to be given.” Harrington was responsible for the delivery of the business plan for ten racecourses across the UK, and was also Northern Racing’s project leader on the successful £40m development of Ffos Las Racecourse, which opened in 2009 – the first turf racecourse to open in the UK for over 80 years. FAIRFIELD VILLA LADIES FOLD. West Midlands league club Fairfield Villa Ladies are the latest club to fold as the escalation of clubs being confined the history books continues only last month Dudley United Ladies became the latest club to fall on hard times hit by the loss of their long serving manager and the escalating costs associated in keeping a grass roots team alive, Playing under the wing of Bromsgrove Sporting at the Victoria Ground since October the Club managed by Vaughan Smith is the latest club in a growing line of teams around the Country to fold-up. CAN YOU HELP OUT Lindy Wafula Founder/Director of the mission projectforafrica is looking for any Football Club, who would be interested in donating one of their old Kits to Charity. "I am writing to share news about our ladies' soccer team in Nairobi Kenya and our need for a possible partnership with a ladies team or teams in the UK that may adopt ours and offer any old training kits. Our team comprises of young women from the low income neighbourhood of Makadara in Nairobi. We have a under 18 team and another of young women aged 19-35, We also seek any Coach, who may volunteer to train us in Kenya Our ultimate goal is to ensure that we build cross cultural relations and international friendships using football to promote gender equality and empowerment of Women" Said Lindy to find out more please visit projectforafrica.org/index.php or email lin@projectforafrica.org R IS FOR RESPECT AT RUGBY TOWN Rugby Town Junior / Girls / Ladies Football Clubs have taken the lead in the Football Associations Respect campaign by implementing certain conditions at its Kilsby Lane headquarters As soon as Players and Parents arrive at the gate, there is a Respect starts here sign. When they arrive on site Respect barriers are put up for supporters to stand behind and the club has respect marshals to monitor the games throughout the site. The clubs teams complete the Respect handshake at the start of the game and the Captain of each team wears the Respect Armband and is the only player to approach the Referee. Wayne Nutt and Wendy Morris the clubs' welfare officers said "Tthese new initiatives that the club are implementing will ensure that anyone visiting Kilsby Lane for games will have an enjoyable experience. Far too often parents get involved, which creates problems for Referees. The club had recently recruited 12 new referees, and we want them to be respected by all when they officiate a game at Kilsby Lane. We are delighted by the response of other teams and officials who visit the site". NEW HOST FOR FIFA U-20 WOMENS WORLD CUP Due to a number of logistical and technical issues, the FIFA Executive Committee during their meeting on 16th and 17th December in Tokyo had no other option than to decide that next year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup would no longer be staged in Uzbekistan. However, FIFA would like to express its sincerest thanks to the Football Association of Uzbekistan (UFF) for their considerable efforts and commitment. Meanwhile, the FIFA Executive Committee took the decision to compensate the UFF by organising another FIFA event, not necessarily a women’s competition, whenever it becomes possible in the future or by awarding the UFF new development projects. Japan has been proposed as the new host for the competition. Formal confirmation of this will be made, upon receipt by FIFA of the Japanese government guarantees. DONCASTER ADDS SECOND BIG NAME SIGNING Doncaster Rovers Belles have captured their second new signing of the week with the addition of key defender Leandra Little from Lincoln Ladies who joins former team-mate Sue Smith at the South Yorkshire. The former-England basketball player,who started her football career in 2007 has been prominent form since the rise of the Lincolnshire Club through the ranks of the women's football pyramid following promotion from the FA Northern Division, The versatile 27 year-old defender herald her first season in the Super League by capturing the Lady Imps Manager's Player of the Year Award for her outstanding performances during the inaugural FA Women’s Super League season. Rovers assistant manager Paul Green is delighted Little has opted to join the club, "We are pleased to have been able to secure Lea for next season. She is a tall and athletic defender who will add height and strength to our back four.She is equally at home playing at centre back or right back. Defensively we need to improve from last season and feel that the acquisition of Lea is a good start towards doing that." said Belles assistant team-chief Paul Green DONCASTER ROVERS BELLES SIGN SUE SMITH Doncaster Rovers Belles have swooped to capture the signing of England international winger Sue Smith from Lincoln Ladies.Smith, 32, has been capped by England 90 times, scoring 16 goals in the process and Rovers manager John Buckley is delighted Smith has agreed to join the South Yorkshire club at the third time of asking."Signing Sue is a tremendous coup for the club," said Buckley. "Smith is probably the most famous player in England and a very experienced international. We’ve tried to bring her to the club in the past, but it didn’t quite happen. However, I’m delighted that we have managed to get a deal done this time around. Sue will be instrumental in shaping our future both on and off the field with her extensive experience. It is very exciting for the town, especially as Sue will be visiting schools and clubs in the region on our behalf inspiring young females to follow in her footsteps". Smith a former International Player Of The Year award winner started her playing career with Tranmere Rovers before joining Leeds United in the summer of 2002. Smith enjoyed a successful stint at Leeds, which including winning the 2010 FA Women’s Premier League Cup medal before switching to Lincoln Ladies for the FA Women's Super League in 2011. Belles manager Buckley continued "Sue is an exciting player who has great quality on the ball and is capable of creating and scoring goals for the club. She is a key signing for us as we look forward to adding more quality to improve the squad moving into the second FA WSL campaign. We have a very young and exciting squad, and Sue will add some much-needed experience for the forthcoming campaign". ENGLAND TO HOST U19 ELITE QUALIFYING ROUNDS England will welcome Austria, Wales and Finland for this season’s UEFA European Women’s U19 Championship Group 6 Elite Qualifying Round. Maureen Marley’s side received a bye in the First Round, courtesy of their recent impressive record in this competition, England won their maiden title in 2009 and were runners-up in both 2007 and 2010, Having been selected to host the Elite Round for the second time inside four years. The matches will be stage between 31 March and 5 April 2012 at the venues will be confirmed in January 2012. The group winners will progress into the Finals, which will be held in Turkey between 2nd-14th July 2012. In readiness for this Elite Qualifying Round campaign, England will travel to Holland for a double-header against France, on Tuesday 22 November, and the host nation, on Thursday 24 November. GIRLS SUPPORTING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY Leicester City women's fc Players Leah Grant, Claire Lester, Jodie Randall, Summer Pratt and Natalie Johnson took time out from their training scheduled this week to help promote a cancer fundraising event taking place at Leicester Railway Men’s Amateur boxing club - Full Story at the bottom of the page. JOSEPH WRATTEN AWARD GOES TO COVENTRY SUPPORTER Coventry Sphinx supporter Kev Monks has been named as the inaugural winner of the Joseph Wratten Award presented by the Level Playing Field's Association. Joseph Wratten suffered from Soto's syndrome, which attacked his lungs and digestive system and was only 19 when he died last year. He was a passionate West Ham fan who followed his side around the country just like Kev does to watch the Sky Blues and Coventry Sphinx. The Joseph Wratten Award, which was founded by his mother June, is to be awarded to a disabled sports supporter who has gone that bit further than the rest. June was one of the judges of the inaugural award. LPF Joseph Wratten Award is to be awarded to the fan who has been a real advocate for social inclusion and equality as a sports fan. The LPF were looking for someone special, someone who has pushed the boundaries so that disabled people can be equally active when following their chosen sport. A spokesman for the LPF said that Kev's nomination stood out above all others.Kev is the main man involved in the Covsupport News service to keep Coventry City and Sphinx fans fans worldwide abreast of the latest news via the Coventry Mad website. He also serves on the Coventry City Diamond Club committee, a club for supporters who have followed City for 50 years or more, on the Coventry Charity Football Cup which raises around £10,000 every year for local charities as well as writing for the Coventry Sphinx match-day programme, producing match reports etc for the club's website and publicising the club. He also worked on the Jimmy Hill appeal committee which raised the funds and organised the statue that now graces the main entrance at The Ricoh Arena. Kev does all this while suffering from Parkinson's Disease, uncontrollable seizures, plus a back problem which makes his achievements within football even more remarkable. Congratulations to Kev Monks on being the first winner of the award. SCOTT CAPTURES THIRD AWARD Jill Scott made it a year to remember as she collected her third Women’s football accolade of the season after winning the Women’s player of the Year at the MBNA North West Football Awards Evening, held at Old Trafford home of Lancashire County Cricket Club on Monday night. The winners were selected by a panel of expert judges, which included PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor, Sky Sports’ Alan Myers and football expert Professor Tom Cannon. Everton team-mate Lindsay Johnson accompanied Scott for some vocal support who adds to the award having been voted England’s International Player of the Year along-side being named in the World Cup All-Stars' squad. HISTORIC DAY FOR IRISH WOMEN'S FOOTBALL Sunday heralded a historic day in Irish football as the very first competive Bus Eireann Women's National League kicked off with three matches taking place around the Reppublic Of Ireland. Fresh from their Champions League adventure are Peamount United who will look to build on their success when they travel south to take on Cork Women's FC at CIT in Cork. Shamrock Rovers will look to echo the success of their league-winning male counterparts and have every chance of doing so with a strong squad taking shape, They should face stiff opposition though at home in Tallaght Stadium, with Raheny United their opponents. In the south-east, Ferrycarrig Park is the venue as Wexford Youths host Castlebar Celtic. LONDON AND CARDIFF PLAY HOST TO TEAM GB Soccer fans wanting to watch Team GB will have the chance to support Hope Powell's side in the quest for Gold both in Cardiff and London. Kicking-off their Olympic Bid on the Opening Day Wednesday 25th July at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Hope Powell's team will undertake a second match at the venue 72 hours later on Saturday 28th July. The final group stage match for Hope Powell's side will take place on Tuesday 31st July at Wembley. http://www.glennlawrencemedia.co.uk/#home

Latest State-Side News From The WPS WPS NAME NEW CEO Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) announced today the appointment of Jennifer Pogorelec O'Sullivan as the League's new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The former Vice President of Legal & Labor Affairs for the Arena Football League (AFL) picks up where her WPS predecessor left off, leading the business and organizational aspects of the front office, and working closely with the Board of Governors to continue to guide the strategic direction of the League. "WPS is comprised of the best female soccer players in the world and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be affiliated with these extremely talented women," said O'Sullivan. "I look forward to working with our Board of Governors and the WPS team to help build upon the League's successes of this past season and continue the growth of the League." O'Sullivan joins WPS following its most successful season to date, setting new attendance figures and earning a 50 percent increase in revenue at the league level in 2011. A key goal moving forward is to capitalize on the gains WPS made during its third season, and focus on continuing to build the fan and ticket base needed to sustain the League for years to come."After conducting a thorough search, the Board has complete confidence that Ms. O'Sullivan is the right person to be our CEO," said T. Fitz Johnson, Chairman of the WPS Board of Governors. "Her breadth of experience in professional sports and business development complements the efforts that we are making to ensure the future of the League. We look forward to her leadership during this important next chapter of growth for WPS." A graduate of the University of Richmond and The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, O'Sullivan will draw on broad business and legal experience gained during her career that includes time spent at the highest levels of professional sports, including the AFL and National Football League (NFL). O'Sullivan's familiarity with all aspects of the sports industry, including strategic leadership, collective bargaining and labor relations, media and business partnerships, sponsorship, and marketing are essential to her ability to provide WPS with the needed stability and leadership to move the league closer to its long-term goals. "We are all very excited that Ms. O'Sullivan is joining WPS as the CEO," said Sky Blue FC Owner Thomas Hofstetter. "Her leadership experience and a deep understanding for sports business will be essential in positioning the league for both immediate and long term success as we continue to build the business with an eye on geographic expansion and sponsorship revenue - two fields we know she can help us excel in." O'Sullivan serves as a member of the National Board of Directors for Women in Sports and Events (WISE) and is a member of the Sports Lawyers Association, the Association of the City Bar of New York, and the New York State Bar Association. In her role as CEO, O'Sullivan is the highest ranking female official in Women's Professional Soccer. Women's Professional Soccer Women's Professional Soccer is the world's best soccer league for women, featuring stars from the U.S. National team and around the globe. WPS completed its third full season of competition in August as Western New York Flash (Rochester, NY) earned the 2011 WPS Championship, following FC Gold Pride (2010) and Sky Blue FC (2009) into the record books as the League's top teams. The 2011 field of teams included Atlanta Beat, Boston Breakers, Philadelphia Independence, Sky Blue FC (New Jersey), magicJack (Florida) and Western New York Flash. For more information, visit the WPS official website at http://www.womensprosoccer.com/ or follow along via our social media networks at www.twitter.com/womensprosoccer and www.facebook.com/womensprosoccer. Copyright (C) 2010 Women's Professional Soccer All rights reserved Press Information for Glenn Lawrence Media. http://www.womensprosoccer.com/

SUPER LEAGUE WARNING A key football finance expert has forewarned organisers of the English Football Association’s New Women’s Super League that it may take over a decade for the league to be a commercial, vibrant and playing success story. In less than a year from now the new FA Women’s Super League will kick off with eight teams playing in the competition’s inaugural season. However, Professor Mr Simon Chadwick from Coventry University is unconvinced about the league’s short-term future prosperity on English Soil due to England’s cultural history, and says: “ I think we live in a largely male dominated society and in social terms, women have only started to break down the barriers in the last 30-40 years, so I wouldn’t say it is going to be a commercial or playing phenomenon overnight, it’s going to take decades to do it " Following 16 bids from many existing women’s teams, only eight clubs were granted Super League Licences for the new championship after having to provide information on financial, business management, commercial and marketing, facilities, players and support staff. Arsenal Ladies, Birmingham City Ladies, Bristol Academy Women, Chelsea Ladies, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Everton Ladies, Lincoln Ladies and Liverpool Ladies will go head to head when the new league kicks off in March 2011. However, Chadwick pin points too the lack of social and structural organisation now in the women’s game as a major difficulty the new women's competition will face in its infancy. He says: “I think in industrial terms men’s football has got first mover strategic advantage over the women’s game. The structures, culture, resources and organisation are there women’s football doesn’t have that. It has to set up its own structures and organisation, and it has to create an attractive commercial proposition. However, it’s not doing that in isolation, it’s doing it up against competition from the men’s game.“I would love to see it prosper because I dislike many of the macho aspects of the game as we know it. There’s a tough need for there to be a greater female contribution for the development of sport in this country, but I think sadly we are not going to get that any time soon. It will take decades rather than years.” One reason why The FA developed the new league women's super league under key supporter of the Women's game and former chief executive Ian Watmore was to compete with the USA in an attempt to get the best players playing in England. Chadwick believes that it is a completely different situation in the USA because the men’s game has nowhere near the chequered history that it does in England. He says: “If you look at the development of women’s football in the USA it’s got completely different social cultural foundations. In Britain men play and women watch.“Although that’s changed, that’s what it’s been historically. On Shrove Tuesday men always played and women watched. The gender DNA of football is based on that. We are trying to engage in genetic modification to change football from a men’s game to a family game but the cultural heritage is already set. In the USA they didn’t have that and that’s why women’s football in places like china Norway and the USA is taking off. Women in this country have had a subsidiary role in the last 150 years.” According to FA statistics, 1.1 million girls currently play football in England and Chadwick foresees a positive future for the women’s game and believes it could attract a good television deal and sponsors. However, he thinks it will never run alongside the men’s Premier League Chadwick said: “I think what it will be is that it will become well established, but it won’t be a mass market it will be a very sturdy niche market. If you look at Moto GP and Nascar it’s incredibly strong commercially, but it's not strong in this country, it’s a niche sport. It’s not the NFL, it’s not the NBA - it appeals to a particular set of people. “I think women’s football could become strong and vibrant and there could be some nice sponsors involved with good TV deals. The national team may prosper and win something like the World Cup, but I don’t think the New Women's Super League will become a mass market like the Premier League has become” - Britain’s Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe believes the Super League will be a accelerator for more female involvement in football. He commented: “It’s fantastic that the Women’s Super League is a step closer getting off the ground. Women’s football is one of the fastest growing sports in the country but there is still room for further growth. The Super League will shine the spotlight even brighter on the women’s game, encourage younger women to take up the sport and help develop stars that will represent the ever-improving women’s national team. Pictured Birmingham City Playing Arsenal Ladies both clubs will feature in the new super league.

Shoo's That Girl Leading The Lads Top Premier League footballer Heather Scheuber has taken on the unique challenge of leading a Men's Football Team Boughton Athletic to glory. Heather Scheuber is better known within the Women's game as the captain of Midlands Top Flight Premier Division side Birmingham City Ladies. However, the England youth international is also the manager of Boughton and, having helped the club survive the drop out of the men’s Chester & District League Division Two, she is determined to win promotion this season. The 21-year-old Women's Soccer Star from Waverton took over the managerial reins Boughton last year. She is only the female football manager in the male dominated league and is thoroughly enjoying the challenge and the responsibility that comes with the Managers' job. “I think it’s interesting because most of the team is older than me, but they listen to me and respect me because I play at a higher standard than them,” said Scheuber. “I train with them and take some of the tactics and drills I pick up at Birmingham and use them to improve Boughton. “My lads listen to me and know when I tell them something it is worth putting on the pitch.I get a bit of banter from the other teams, and they wonder whether I know what I am talking about, but they soon find out.” The former Christleton High School pupil has used her football contacts within the game to good effect to arrange a pre-season clashes between Boughton and Birmingham Ladies, who finished fifth in the FA Women’s Premier League during the 2008/2009. It is the second time the two teams will have met. “It was funny,” said Scheuber. “The lads took it really seriously but the girls treated it as a friendly. It was a great match.” Boughton’s training timetable fits around Scheuber’s sessions with Birmingham City Ladies and her weekly work commitments as a data administrator in Christleton. Scheuber manages Boughton on Saturdays before travelling to play for Birmingham City Ladies on Sundays. However, Scheuber no longer plays for England following a fall out with national team chiefs two years ago when they quizzed her commitment. “Women’s football has changed after the FA cut back our funding and some of the best players went to the professional league in the US,” said Scheuber.“I have responsibilities at Birmingham and at Boughton and, with the money for international players so poor now, it is not worth the hassle of finding time for yet another important commitment.“If more funding became available to make life easier I would consider it, as I feel I am missing out on a chunk of my career as a footballer. However, now I have plenty to occupy myself with.” However, Heather has endured a difficult season both on and off the park, injured playing for Birmingham City Ladies earlier this season in the Clubs narrow defeat at the hands of Doncaster Rovers Belles a serious Knee injury has side-lined Scheuber for much of the season but having undergone a recent ACL operation to repair damaged anterior cruciate ligaments in her knee, she will be keen on get her boots back on once more for the start of the 2010/2011 but sadly for Heather both Birmingham City Ladies and Boughton Athletic are near the wrong end of their respective league tables the season draws to a conclusion. Pictured - Still Smiling Heather Gets Carried Away With Her Love Of Football - Steady On Chaps watch Your Backs ! Photo Glenn Lawrence

BRACKLEY SPORTS TOURNAMENT SUCCESS A busy period for Brackley Sports FC has seen a mixture of success and heartbreak in small sided competitions as well as the club hosting their annual end of season presentation night. Sports Ladies kicked off the clubs six-a-side campaign taking part in the annual Moulton Fields tournament in Northampton on Saturday 11th June. The closeness of the teams in the group stage paid it's price with only one goal being scored in the entire group, Sports getting goalless draws against Northants Women's League rivals Kingsthorpe Jaguars and Thrapston Blue as well as Thames Valley League Stony Stratford. The lack of goals saw a penalty shoot out between Sports and Stony Stratford to determine second and third place in the group, Sports losing meaning they would finish third and face another Northants Women's League side in Thorplands United in the Quarter-Finals. Another scoreless game saw yet another penalty shoot out, however Sports held there nerve to move into the Semi-Finals and face Thrapston Blue for the second time in the day. Leanne Jones opened the scoring for Sports however Thrapston replied and after extra-time could not separate the sides, Sports took part in their third set of penalties, Rita Peverall keeping her nerve as it went to sudden death to fire Sports into the final against Rothwell Town. The final saw an evenly match game between the two sides but just as extra-time was looming, Rothwell snatched the trophy from Sports grasp with a deflected free-kick in what turned out to be the last seconds of the game. Last Sunday saw Sports Ladies back in action with two sides at the Woburn tournament of which they were Runners-Up last year, playing on this success, Sports two sides were named the Spinners and Tea Cup's and had mixed fortunes in the tournament. Sports Spinners in a group of six put in a determined performance in their group and despite three goalless draws against teams of a higher standard, two defeats against Kingsthorpe Jaguars and Leighton United Luton saw them eliminated at the first hurdle. Sports Tea Cups also had a nervy group stage, losing their first group game 1-0 to Moulton Magpies. However they soon bounced back, goals from Zoe Cox and Kelly Harry secured a 2-1 victory over St Albans side Harvesters before getting a well earned goalless draw against Peterborough Azure, who play their regular club football two divisions above Sports. Sports needed to win their last game against Flitwick to stand a chance of finishing group runners-up and a brace from Zoe Cox kept the hopes alive in a 2-0 victory. The place in the final four of the plate was not guaranteed though until Harvesters beat Moulton 1-0 in the final group game to see Sports Tea Cup's sneak into the plate semi-finals of goal difference. The Semi-Final saw Sports line up against Kingsthorpe Jaguars and after a hard battled game, the two sides could not be separated, with penalties getting Sports through to the final and in a bizarre twist facing Rothwell Town in a small sided final for the second time in eight days. As with the Moulton tournament, both sides battled hard, it was not to be decided in normal play this time as after extra-time the game remained goal less, Sports were again left runners-up after it took sudden death penalties to finally split the sides. Ladies Team Players Player – Leanne Jones, Ladies Team Managers Player – Rachel Love, Ladies Team Highest Goalscorer – Kelly Harry, Ladies Team Shining Star – Rita Peverall. The clubman award went to treasurer Nigel Jenkins whilst the Sportsperson award went to Ladies Team Captain, Christina Picchianti.

WOMENS FA CUP 2011/2012 NEWS Pictured - 2011 Womens FA Cup Action Photo Glenn Lawrence BUDWEISER WOMENS FA CUP THIRD ROUND DRAW SUNDAY 5 FEBURUARY 2012 Larkhall Athletic v Tottenham Hotspur Brighton & Hove Albion v Havant & Waterlooville Charlton Athletic v Bradford City Enfield Town v MSA Portsmouth v Sheffield FC Ladies/Middlesbrough Watford v Leeds United Keynsham Town v Gillingham Aston Villa v Coventry City Derby County v West Ham United Leicester City Ladies v Cardiff City Sunderland v Rotherham United Nottingham Forest v Blackburn Rovers Barnet Ladies v Peterborough Northern Star Manchester City v Oxford United Sheffield Wednesday/Durham Wildcats v Preston North End Sporting Club Albion v Reading DATES OF ROUNDS Fourth Round Proper Sunday 26 February 2012 Fifth Round Proper Sunday 11 March 2012 Sixth Round Proper Sunday 25 March 2012 Semi Final Sunday 15 April 2012 Final Saturday 26 May 2012 PRIZE FUND PAYMENTS Third Round Proper winners (16) £400 Fourth Round Proper winners (8) £500 Fifth Round Proper winners(8) £600 Sixth Round Proper winners (4) £1,000 Semi Final winners (2) £2,000 Final runners-up £2,000 Final winners (1) £5,000

NEW LOOK LEICESTER CITY WOMENS FC READY FOR BIG KICK-OFF Leicester City Women FC will be kicking off the season with a new manager and a host of exciting signings. Luke Turner has been brought in to replace Hannah Dingley, who was only appointed at the end of June Things, however, have not worked out in pre-season and Turner has been recruited from Manchester side Curzon Ashton. "I was really pleased to get the call from Leicester," said Turner, who previously managed Crewe Alexandra Ladies and has coached at Manchester and Leeds United girls centre of excellence, "It has been a hectic time since taking charge of the team and the support from everyone involved at the club has been second to none, "The players' attitudes have been brilliant, and I am sure this is a club that is definitely going places,which is what attracted me to it in the first place. I am really pleased to be here and very excited about the new challenge" we have been busy and recruited a number of quality players. Defender Natasha Hughes has joined from Doncaster Rovers, and the attack has been strengthened by the addition of Shona Franklin from Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest's Leeanne Woodford and Issy Hayes from Curzon Ashton, While Former City stalwart Caz Toone makes a welcome return to the Leicestershire club and more signings are in the pipeline over the next few days as Turner continues to look to strengthen his playing squad Chairman Craig White said "Luke is a bright up and coming manager and has been on our radar for a liitle while now and we are pleased to have him on board and everyone at the club wish him well". The team will be captained by Sammy Morris,with Katie Mcloughlin appointed vice-captain. There have been additions to the backroom staff and Jason Withe,son of former Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa forward Peter Withe, will be involved in coaching the women's squad.Withe has also been installed as the centre of excellence director. Local coaches Brett Appleby and Mike Malawer have been brought in to run the youthful reserve side. Last Weekend Turner took charge of his first preseason game against National League opponents Leeds United a game City Ladies lost 3-1 despite taking an early lead through new recruit Shona Franklin.The Foxes kick-off their league campaign on Sunday with a visit from Rotherham United Ladies. Picture - Luke Turner,the new Leicester City Women's manager, is welcomed to the club by chairman Craig White,left,and new City Ladies signing Caz Toone. Photo is by kind courtesy of the Leicester Mercury part of the Northcliffe Media Group Limited

THE FA WOMENS SOCCER AWARDS 2011 The 13th Annual FA Women’s Awards have taken place in Central London, Club officials, players and dignitaries from the world of women’s football all gathered to honor those who have made the biggest impact in the game in 2011 capping off what has been a huge year for the sport with the launch of the WSL, England’s World Cup campaign in Germany and the UEFA Champions League Final taking place at Craven Cottage. Birmingham and England forward Rachel Williams was among a number of individuals who picked up awards. Williams was voted player of the Year by her peers to add to her FAWSL Top goal-scorer accolade. International honors went to Everton’s Jill Scott, who arrived without her biggest fan and team side-kick Changi The Mascot, Scott was picked out by her England team-mates for her international performances this year which included a superb World Cup in Germany this summer, While Scott gave supporters, a much-needed laugh with her comical video dairies, which tracked the lighter moments and off the field antics of England’s World Cup Campaign. Scott, 24, netted essential goals for the Three Lionesses against New Zealand and France as England reached the Quarter Finals of the competition before being eliminated by France on penalties. Sue Hough, Chair of the Women’s Committee, said “ The awards highlighted the huge steps the Women’s game has taken in 2011. This year has been a break-out year for the women’s game in England. We’ve seen a hugely successful opening season of the WSL which has exceeded our greatest expectations. England's performance in Germany really inspired a new generation of fans, and we also had the Women’s Champions League Final at Fulham, which was a great occasion for everyone connected with the sport. The awards today recognize the wonderful work done by so many people this year, and it should be a great day for women’s football.” The full list of winners is as follows; FA Women’s Premier League Top Goal Scorer Gemma Bryne, Charlton Athletic LFC FA WSL Top Goal Scorer Rachel Williams, Birmingham Young Player of the Year Jemma Rose, Bristol Academy WFC Digital Award Gillingham Ladies FC FA Club of the Year Bristol Academy Women’s FC FA Women’s Premier League "Coach of the Year" Mick Mulhern, Sunderland WFC FA WSL Coach of the Year Laura Harvey, Arsenal LFC International Player of the Year Jill Scott, Everton LFC Players’ " Player of the Year " Rachel Williams, Birmingham City LFC Special Achievement Award Fay Glover, Nottingham Forest LFC Goal of the Year Jemma Rose, Bristol Academy WFC Save of the Year (Glenn Lawrence for his great effort against some player from Lincoln called Err Allen, who his mates have never heard off - No the real winnner is Siobhan Chamberlain, Bristol Academy WFC Fan of the Year Lisa Paterson-Sleep, Sam Paterson-Sleep FA WSL All Star Team Siobhan Chamberlain,(Bristol Academy), Sophie Bradley (Lincoln), Casey Stoney (Lincoln), Kerys Haropp (Birmingham), Laura Basett (Birmingham), Jo Potter (Birmingham), Katie Chapman (Arsenal), Kim Little (Arsenal), Jess Fishlock (Bristol Academy), Rachel Williams (Birmingham), Natasha Dowie (Everton). Just, how many times are they going to use that video knock-out clip of Me, It wasn't funny the first-time let along the fourth - Well if you must you can watch it over a again on the WSL Website. Photo - Everton's Natasha Dowie Picture Credit Glenn Lawrence

LEICESTER CITY WOMEN SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY Leicester City Women FC players Leah Grant, Claire Lester, Jodie Randall, Summer Pratt and Natalie Johnson took time out this week from their FA Women’s Premier League Northern Division training schedule to visit Leicester Railway Men’s Amateur boxing club to help promote their cancer fundraising event, which will take place on December 1st 2011, doors open at 7pm. Pictured Leicester City Women’s FC player Claire Lester sparring with Joe Thorpe who’s brother, Billy Thorpe is very ill with cancer. Foxes Leah Grant, Claire Lester, Jodie Randall, Summer Pratt and Natalie Johnson out and about the local supporting Community - Photos Courtesy of Leicester City Women’s FC Meantime rising star Annabel Johnson has been called into the England under 19 squad full back Johnson will fly out with the rest of the Three Lionesses squad for friendlies against Rosmalen on Sunday November 20th and the Netherlands on Friday November 25th. Johnson has progressed through the clubs centre of excellence since arriving from Northampton Town. The Foxes take a break from their league campaign they are next in action on Sunday 27th November 2011 when they travel to Halesowen to take on league leaders' Sporting Club Albion in a top of the table clash, The Baggies hold pole position by virtue of goal difference equal on points with newcomers Sheffield FC Ladies Leicester are just two points adrift back in third league spot and will be looking to return to winning ways after drawing 1-1 with Blackburn Rovers in their last outing.