LCFC Women To Go Professional

[urban.spaceman 34,495]

 

Leicester City Launches LCFC Women As The Club Commits To The Women’s Game

Published 9 mins ago

- Leicester City launches professional women’s team from 2020/21
- Previously established Leicester City Women’s Football Club joins LCFC
- Move forms part of a long-term strategy to develop the women’s game in Leicester
- LCFC Chairman launches intentions on 10-year anniversary of King Power takeover

The Club has undertaken a sustained period of consultation with the independently established Leicester City Women’s Football Club, which has been supported by LCFC since its formation in 2004. The outcome of this collaboration is a long-term strategy for the wide-ranging enhancement of women’s football, from professional level to grassroots participation, throughout the region.

King Power International, Leicester City’s parent company, has completed the acquisition of LCWFC, which will now turn professional and join Leicester City’s Senior Men, Under-23s and Under-18s among the core teams within the Club’s football operation. The transfer of the team’s FA Women’s Championship (FAWC) licence to LCFC was approved on Tuesday.

General Manager Jade Morgan, Team Manager Jonathan Morgan, 12 members of the playing squad and a number of key support staff will be retained from the previous setup, which will now go full-time.

Former LCWFC chairman Rohan Morgan will become an advisor to an LCFC Women’s Football Leadership Group, led by Chief Executive Susan Whelan.

Russ Fraser has been appointed to the position of Head of Women’s Football. Russ brings to the Club a wealth of knowledge of the women’s game, built during spells with West Ham United and Reading. Russ will manage football operations for LCFC Women and, together with the LCFC Women’s Football Leadership Group, will develop a strategy to build interest in the women’s game locally, encourage participation, and synchronise the work of the LCWFC Academy and the Leicester City Girls’ Regional Talent Club (RTC) to create a defined development pathway for gifted young female players.

Leicester City Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: “This is really proud day. The introduction of a women’s team embedded within the Club has been an ambition of ours for some time and today it can start to be realised.

“The Club’s co-operation with LCWFC since 2004 has been a valuable gateway to the women’s game. Its chairman, Rohan Morgan, and its staff and players deserve great credit for the solid foundations they have built and we’re really excited to see how we can progress with the setup in-house.

“LCFC Women will carry the standard, but our vision for developing the women’s game in Leicester is wide-ranging. We want to build on the recent success of women’s football to inspire a generation of young girls and to ensure opportunities exist for the gifted among them to have a future in the game.

“Exactly 10 years on from King Power first arriving in Leicester, this is a significant expansion in our vision for the Club – both in terms of diversification and our dedication to football for all; and in our ongoing commitment to excellence in every one of the Club’s pursuits.”

Rohan Morgan said: “This is an amazing step forward, both for our team and for women’s football in the city. For many years now, we have proudly represented Leicester City in the women’s game and tried to build an organisation with solid foundations, high standards and the potential for growth. Officially joining the Leicester City family is the best possible endorsement of that work and I’m extremely proud of every player, member of staff and volunteer – several of whom will be continuing the journey with us – that has helped bring us to this point. Thanks to the belief of Khun Aiyawatt, Susan Whelan and everyone at Leicester City, we have an incredible opportunity to build on that potential and be a part of the Club’s vision for success.”

LCFC Women’s 23-player squad for the 2020/21 FAWC campaign, which starts on the weekend of 5/6 September, is complete. This includes 12 players from LCWFC signing their first professional contracts, joined by 11 new additions recruited from both FA Women’s Super League and FAWC clubs.

The team will continue to play its home matches at Farley Way Stadium in Quorn during the 2020/21 season, including their outstanding FA Women’s Cup Quarter Final with holders Manchester City. The tie is among those to be played in the early weeks of the new season to ensure the 2019/20 FA Women’s Cup is concluded. The Foxes are the only FAWC team left in the competition, which is due to resume on the weekend of 26/27 September.

The team’s new-look website is now live at lcfc.com/women, where you’ll find interviews with manager Jonathan Morgan and captain Holly Morgan, as well as playing squad profiles.

Supporters can Leicester City Women on social media channels Twitter, Facebookand Instagram.

[MarriedaLeicesterGirl 625]

I am really confused-- i thought the club already owned the women's team? 

 

In any event, will they begin showing games on LCFC TV? Have the women's team goals eligible for goal of the month?

[BigWesMorgan 458]

4 minutes ago, MarriedaLeicesterGirl said:

I am really confused-- i thought the club already owned the women's team? 

 

In any event, will they begin showing games on LCFC TV? Have the women's team goals eligible for goal of the month?

They were just a stand-alone team before not affiliated with the club in any way

[urban.spaceman 34,495]

LCFC Women

LCFC Women competes in the FA Women’s Championship – the second tier of the women’s game behind the FA Women’s Super League.

Published 26 mins ago

Leicester City Football Club’s commitment to the development of the women’s game will this summer see LCFC Women turn professional for the first time in their history in a bid to progress to the FA Women’s Super League and inspire a generation of young girls in Leicestershire.

They are due to commence their 2020/21 FA Women’s Championship journey over the weekend of 5 September, and will navigate their campaign with the help of new signings and local stars that are penning their first professional contracts.

While LCFC Women have already recruited talent from across the country – many of whom played for the Football Club in 2019/20 – they also have a strong contingent of players from Leicestershire and the surrounding area who are at the very start of their professional careers.

Let’s meet the 2020/21 LCFC Women first team squad…

 

Demi Lambourne
Position: Goalkeeper
Previous Clubs: Oxford United, Reading
Squad Number: 1

Demi has been at LCFC Women for two years following time spent at Reading’s academy, as well as Oxford United’s academy and first team. She was born in Oxford on 30 April, 1996, and has played for England at Under-19s and Under-20s level. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram (demilambourne).

 

Kirstie Levell
Position: Goalkeeper
Previous Club: Everton
Squad Number: 28 

LCFC Women newcomer Kirstie, who is a blackbelt in karate, was born in Birkenhead on 7 January, 1997. Capped at Under-17s, Under-19s and Under-23s level by England, the former Everton goalkeeper won the FA WSL 2 Spring Series in 2017 with the Toffees. You can follow Kirstie on Twitter (kirstielevell97) and Instragram (kirstielevell). 

 

Holly Morgan (captain)
Position: Defender
Previous Clubs: N/A
Squad Number: 5

Born on 10 February, 1993 in Leicester Holly has spent 16 years at LCFC Women, making the Foxes the only football club she has played for. She is also a qualified solicitor, and has completed the London marathon. You can follow Holly on Twitter (@holly_morgan10) and Instagram (holly.morgan10).

 

Ashleigh Plumptre
Position: Defender
Previous Clubs: University of Southern Carolina, Notts County Ladies
Squad Number: 22

Ashleigh joined LCFC Women in December 2019 having studied in the United States at the University of Southern California since 2016. Born in Leicester on 8 May, 1998, she has scored six times in 30 appearances at international youth level, and has participated in two UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championships. She was an NCAA national champion with the USC Trojans in 2016, and was also invited to the White House in Washington DC in January 2017 with the University of Southern California Women’s team. You can follow Ashleigh on Twitter (ashplumptre) and Instagram (ashleighhplumptre).

 

Grace Riglar
Position: Defender
Previous Clubs: Bristol City
Squad Number: 2

Grace was born in nearby Warwick on 23 April, 2001 and having previously played for Bristol City Women’s Football Club, she has now been at LCFC Women for a year. You can follow Grace on Twitter (GraceRig1) and Instagram (graceriglar).

 

Sophie Howard
Position: Defender
Previous Club: Reading, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Squad Number: 15

Sophie, who has a twin, was born in Hanau, Germany on 17 August, 1993, and made the switch to LCFC Women this summer. At club level, she previously played for Reading and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, while she is capped 18 times at international level for Scotland and also represented her nation at the 2017 UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championships and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. You can follow Sophie on Twitter (soph_howard93) and Instagram (soph_lou_ho).

 

Sam Tierney
Position: Defender
Previous Clubs: Sheffield United, Doncaster Belles
Squad Number: 3

Sam moved to LCFC Women in the summer following spells at Doncaster Belles and Sheffield United. The Sheffield native, born on 8 October 1998, is an England youth international from Under-15s to Under-21s level. You can follow Sam on Twitter (stierney_3) and Instagram (s.tierney).

 

Esmee De Graaf
Position: Defender
Previous Club: West Ham United, PEC Zwolle
Squad Number: 14

Esmee De Graaf, born on 2 August, 1997 in Baarn, the Netherlands, linked up with her new LCFC Women team-mates this pre-season after making the switch from West Ham United. She is a senior Netherlands international, and has also played for her nation’s Under-17s and Under-19s sides. You can follow Esmee on Twitter and Instagram (esmeedegraaf97).

 

Lia Cataldo
Position: Defender
Previous Clubs: Millwall, Arsenal
Squad Number: 6

Born in nearby Peterborough on 11 February, 2001, the ex-Millwall and Arsenal defender enjoyed her first season at LCFC Women in 2019/20, and has represented England from Under-16s to Under-19s level. You can follow Lia on Instragram (liamartinacataldo).

 

Freya Thomas
Position: Midfielder
Previous Clubs: Birmingham City
Squad Number: 16

Originally from Coventry, Freya was born on 28 October, 2001 and has spent two seasons at LCFC Women following a spell at Birmingham City. You can follow Freya on Twitter (freyathomas8) and Instagram (freyathomas__).

 

Annabel Blanchard
Position: Midfielder
Previous Clubs: Liverpool
Squad Number: 10

Born in Liverpool on 7 May, 2001, former Liverpool youngster and Everton fan Annabel has been at LCFC Women for one season, and has represented England from Under-15s to Under-19s level. You can follow Annabel on Twitter (annabelblanch10) and Instagram (annabelblanchard).

 

Charlie Devlin
Position: Midfielder
Previous Clubs: Millwall, Manchester United, Charlton Athletic, Arsenal
Squad Number: 7

Born in London on 23 February, 1998, twin Charlie was a WSL Championship winner with Manchester United in 2018/19. She joined LCFC Women in January 2020 and has scored five goals at youth level for England, while also playing in the UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championships. You can follow Charlie on Instagram (charliedevlin_).

 

Aimee Everett
Position: Midfielder
Previous Clubs: Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers
Squad Number: 4

Barrow-in-Furness native Aimee spent the 2019/20 campaign at LCFC Women following spells at Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers. Born on 2 August, 2001, she has played for England youth from Under-15s to Under-19s. You can follow Aimee on Instagram (aimeeeverett).

 

Remi Allen
Position: Midfielder
Previous Club: Reading, Birmingham City, Lincoln Ladies, Leeds Carnegie
Squad Number: 8

Leicester native Remi was born on 15 October, 1990, and is one of the squad’s most successful players. She has won the League Cup with Leeds Carnegie and the UEFA Women's Under-19s Championships with England, and was also a Champions League semi-finalist with Birmingham City. She has been capped at Under-19s and Under-23s level for the Lionesses. You can follow Remi on Twitter (remi_allen) and Instagram (remi_allen10).

 

Sophie Barker
Position: Midfielder
Previous Club: Sheffield United, Doncaster Belles
Squad Number: 18

Former Sheffield United captain Sophie is originally from Lincoln and was born on Christmas Day, 1990. She made the move to LCFC Women this summer, and has also previously played for Doncaster Rovers Belles. You can follow Sophie on Twitter (sophbarker).

 

Ruesha Littlejohn
Position: Midfielder
Previous Club: West Ham United, Celtic, London Bees, Liverpool, Glasgow City, IL Sandviken
Squad Number: 24

Ruesha is entering her first season at LCFC Women, having played at numerous clubs during a career that started in 2006. Born in Glasgow on 3 July, 1996, she has represented both Scotland Under-19s and the senior Republic of Ireland side at international level, scoring a total of six goals in 54 combined appearances. Her club career has seen her play in England, Scotland and Norway. You can follow Ruesha on Twitter and Instagram (rueshalj).

 

Paige Bailey-Gayle
Position: Forward
Previous Clubs: Arsenal
Squad Number: 17

Born in London on 12 November, 2001, Paige has previously played for Arsenal Women, and has been at LCFC Women since 2019. She scored at the UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championships in 2018, and is capped several times at that level. You can follow Paige on Twitter and Instagram (paigebgayle).

 

Lachante Paul
Position: Forward
Previous Clubs: Arsenal
Squad Number: 11

Londoner Lachante Paul was born on 6 August, 2002 and moved to LCFC Women last year following her time at Arsenal Women. You can follow Lachante on Twitter (lachantepaul) and Instragram (lachante.p).

 

Libby Smith
Position: Forward
Previous Clubs: Chelsea
Squad Number: 9

Born in Leicester on 11 March, 2001, Libby enjoyed a spell at Chelsea’s academy before spending two seasons at LCFC Women. She played for LCFC Women’s Academy for nine seasons, from aged seven to 15, and has also represented England’s youth sides from Under-15s to Under-19s level. You can follow Libby on Twitter (libbysmith0) and Instragram (libbysmith_01).

 

Millie Farrow
Position: Forward
Previous Club: Reading, Chelsea, Bristol City
Squad Number: 19

Born in Portsmouth on 3 June, 1996, Millie is a former Chelsea, Bristol City and Reading forward, while she has also played for England Under-19s and Under-23s. You can follow Millie on Twitter (milliefarrow) and Instagram (millfarrow).

 

Natasha Flint
Position: Forward
Previous Club: Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City
Squad Number: 20

Originally from Salford, Natasha is a summer recruit having previously played for Blackburn Rovers Ladies and Manchester City. She has played for England from Under-19s to Under-23s level, representing her nation at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in Canada earlier this year. You can follow Natasha on Twitter (flint_tasha) and Instagram (tashflint).

Hannah Cain
Position: Forward
Previous Club: Everton, Sheffield United
Squad Number: 21

Born on 11 February, 1999, Hannah joined LCFC Women in 2020 following spells at Sheffield United and most recently Everton. She has been capped for the Lionesses at Under-17s, Under-19s and Under-21s level, and has also represented Wales at youth level. You can follow Hannah on Twitter and Instagram (hannahjadecain).

 

Liv Fergusson
Position: Forward
Previous Club: Sheffield United, Aston Villa, Bristol City, Yeovil Town
Squad Number: 23

One of the newest members of the LCFC Women squad is Liv, who was born in Stafford on 27 March, 1995. She is capped at numerous youth levels for England, and represented Great Britain at the Summer Universiade in Taipei in 2017. Formerly of Sheffield United, Bristol City, Yeovil Town and Aston Villa, Liv also has a master’s degree in Occupational Psychology. You can follow Liv on Twitter (livfergusson) and Instagram (oliviafergusson).

[Sol thewall Bamba 8,574]

Team Captain is number 5 and surname is Morgan. Excellent stuff.

[MarriedaLeicesterGirl 625]

1 minute ago, BigWesMorgan said:

They were just a stand-alone team before not affiliated with the club in any way

There was Leicester City Ladies that's not affiliated in any way -- Leicester City Women's "has been supported by LCFC since its formation in 2004."

 

They sometimes mentioned the Women's team on Twitter, announced new signings at the King Power, and gave a player of the year award at the end of year gala.

[ChiefFox 87]

13 minutes ago, MarriedaLeicesterGirl said:

I am really confused-- i thought the club already owned the women's team? 

 

In any event, will they begin showing games on LCFC TV? Have the women's team goals eligible for goal of the month?

They were a completely separate entity, but played under the same name, there's a whole other thread about the Leicester City Women team which I guess is now (2004-2020) or (pre-professionalisation)

[Freeman's Wharfer 2,642]

Won’t take an interest in this until they either make the goals smaller or have men in net. The standard of keeping seriously undermines the women’s game.

[Fox in the North 1,847]

My little sister, 12, is LCFC mad and will love this. Great news that all the teams are under the Leicester City umbrella. Can only boost the potential of women’s football in the area and I hope they’re allowed to use the new training facility or Belvoir drive at least.

[urban.spaceman 34,495]

10 minutes ago, MarriedaLeicesterGirl said:

I am really confused-- i thought the club already owned the women's team? 

 

In any event, will they begin showing games on LCFC TV? Have the women's team goals eligible for goal of the month?

 

Just now, MarriedaLeicesterGirl said:

There was Leicester City Ladies that's not affiliated in any way -- Leicester City Women's "has been supported by LCFC since its formation in 2004."

 

They sometimes mentioned the Women's team on Twitter, announced new signings at the King Power, and gave a player of the year award at the end of year gala.

I think the main club weren't really able to support them when we had our own troubles going on - then when KP came in they wanted to focus on making us sustainable and the women's club wanted to remain independent but with growing support - they used to have our old Puma kits a year later, but now wear the same Adidas ones.

[ChiefFox 87]

Just now, Freeman's Wharfer said:

Won’t take an interest in this until they either make the goals smaller or have men in net. The standard of keeping seriously undermines the women’s game.

When was the last game you watched? 😂 The standard is a lot higher than people believe. Especially at Leicester, the standard has always been high. 

[Livid 1,147]

Great news! 

[foxes_rule1978 3,762]

Very good to see, well done to our club 

[LCFC1996 900]

Fantastic news! And that is a super good squad, promotion battle will be tough with any 1 of about 5 teams in with a shout but I'd put us as front runners arguably.

[PaulW 459]

Lot of internationals in those pen pictures!

 

 

And lots of 'Morgans' amongst the hierarchy!

 

 

Edited 22 August 2020 by PaulW

[RonnieTodger 3,838]

[RonnieTodger 3,838]

In all seriousness, this is great. 

[Heymister2015 528]

Why wouldn’t we own them already? I’m confused too 

[ALC Fox 1,526]

58 minutes ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

Team Captain is number 5 and surname is Morgan. Excellent stuff.

I might put a couple of quid on them to win the Championship on this basis alone.

[ChiefFox 87]

13 minutes ago, Heymister2015 said:

Why wouldn’t we own them already? I’m confused too 

It's a long process! Club started in 2004 and was owned by LCFC but ran externally, after some issues with money and way it was ran around 2008/09, LCFC partially distanced themselves and allowed the women's team to rebuild themselves. Which they have done and now men's club have bought them out. 

[Poznan34 890]

Good stuff

[BigWesMorgan 458]

1 hour ago, MarriedaLeicesterGirl said:

There was Leicester City Ladies that's not affiliated in any way -- Leicester City Women's "has been supported by LCFC since its formation in 2004."

 

They sometimes mentioned the Women's team on Twitter, announced new signings at the King Power, and gave a player of the year award at the end of year gala.

My bad

[Vlad the Fox 2,545]

This is really exciting news. What are the chances of being able to get down to Farley way and watch matches next season? 

[KingsX 6,061]

6 hours ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

Team Captain is number 5 and surname is Morgan. Excellent stuff.

 

That poor girl will be hearing “Big Wes” from the stands for her entire time here   Hope she knows it’s an honorific title.

[fleckneymike 1,829]

About time too.