West Bromwich Albion F.C. Women
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| Full name | West Bromwich Albion Football Club Women | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Short name | WBA | ||
| Founded | 1989; 26 years ago (as West Bromwich Albion Womens F.C.) | ||
| Ground | Dales Lane, Rushall Olympic FC | ||
| Capacity | 1,400 (Approx) | ||
| Manager | Craig Nicholls | ||
| League | FA Women's Premier League Northern Division | ||
| 2015–16 | 1st, FA Women's Premier League Northern Division | ||
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West Bromwich Albion Football Club Women is an English women's football club affiliated with West Bromwich Albion F.C. The first team currently plays in the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division.[1] In 2010–11 the then named Sporting Club Albion won the Midland Combination Women's Football League promoting them to the FA Women's Premier League.[2]
The club is also closely affiliated with West Bromwich Albion Girls Regional Talent Centre, with the objective of bringing through Youth Players into the first team, as well as the Disability Sports Club and Basketball clubs.
History
Early Years (1989–2008)
The club was founded as West Bromwich Albion Women's F.C. in 1989 playing local and recreational football.[3] In 1995 they joined the Midland Combination Women's Football League, but was not part of West Bromwich Albion F.C.[3] In the 2004–05 season they were incorporated in the WBA Community Programme and committed to developing youth players. They continued in this way for four more seasons.[3]
The Albion Foundation (2009–2011)
In 2009 the club was part of The Albion Foundation and was incorporated into Sporting Club Albion, alongside the Basketball and Disabled Sports teams. Their second season in this format saw them win the Midlands Combination Women's Football League title and gain promotion the FA Women's Premier League in the process. In the summer of 2011 the announcement of the Girls Centre of Excellence brought new promise of improvement in the development of young players.[3]
Recent Years (2012–present)
Over the next seasons they have stabilised themselves in the Premier League Northern Division and are looking to become one of the strongest teams over the next few years.[3]
In the 2015/16 season under the leadership of manager Graham Abercrombie, the club achieved a league and cup double winning both the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division and the Birmingham Ladies County Cup. They narrowly missed out on promotion to the FA Women's Super League Division 2, losing 4-2 in a playoff with FA Women's Premier League Southern Division champions Brighton & Hove Albion W.F.C. They also made it to the quarter finals of the FA Women's Cup, losing 2-0 to Super League side Manchester City W.F.C.
For the 2016–17 season, the club reverted back to the West Bromwich Albion name.
Colours and Badge
Their kits are identical to those of West Bromwich Albion F.C.
Stadium
West Bromwich Albion Women play their home games at Dales Lane, home of Rushall Olympic FC.
Coaching Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Graham Abercrombie | Manager |
| Nicola Gregg | Assistant Manager |
| Tom Read | Goalkeeping Coach |
| Liam Corbett | Physiotherapist |
| Tim Dudding | Coach |
Honours
Midland Combination Women's Football League
- Champions: 2010-11[2]
FA Women's Premier League Northern Division
- Champions 2015-16 (As Sporting Club Albion Ladies)
'Birmingham Women's County Cup
- Winners 2015-16 (As Sporting Club Albion Ladies)
- Runners up 2014-15
References
- ↑ "FA Women's Premier League". full-time.thefa.com. Retrieved 2015-11-07.
- 1 2 "Midland Womens Combination League". full-time.thefa.com. Retrieved 2015-11-07.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Ladies". thealbionfoundation.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-11-07.