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Wrexham A.F.C. Women

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Wrexham AFC Women
Wrexham A.F.C. crest
Full nameWrexham Association Football Club Women
Nickname(s)The Red Dragons, The Robins
Founded2003; 21 years ago (2003)[1]
GroundThe Rock,
Rhosymedre, Wrexham
Capacity3,000 (500 seated)
OwnersRR McReynolds Company LLC (Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney)
ManagerSteve Dale
LeagueAdran Premier
2023–24Adran Premier, 3rd of 8
Websitewrexhamafc.co.uk/teams/women
Current season

Wrexham Association Football Club Women (Welsh: Merched Clwb Pêl-droed Cymdeithas Wrecsam), formerly known as NEWI Wrexham Ladies and Wrexham Ladies F.C., is a Welsh semi-professional women's football club that competes in the Adran Premier, the first-tier of women's football in Wales.

Since 2009 and after their reformation in 2018, the club has been affiliated with Wrexham A.F.C., which competes in EFL League One, the third division of English football. As NEWI Wrexham Ladies, they helped found the North Wales Women's Football League in 2003 and as Wrexham Ladies F.C. the Welsh Premier Women's League in 2009.

History

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2003–2018: NEWI Wrexham Ladies to Wrexham Ladies FC

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In 2003, the NEWI Wrexham Ladies Football Club was formed, becoming part of the new North Wales Women's Football League. The initial squad drew players from the North East Wales Institute (NEWI) and the Yale College, Wrexham[2] and played their home games next door to the Racecourse Ground.[3]

In 2008, they reached the finals of the FAW Women's Cup for the first time. In 2009, they became part of Wrexham F.C.,[4] helped to found the Welsh Premier Women's League as one of four teams in the Northern Division and adopted the new name Wrexham Ladies FC. In the 2011-12 season, they won the division but lost the Championship Final against Cardiff Met WFC.[5] The Welsh Premier League went national during the 2012-13 season and the team finished in third place.[6]

They finished 6th in both of the following campaigns.[5] During the 2015-16 season, they had a difficult time maintaining a full roster and withdrew from the Premier League mid-season.

2018–2020: As Wrexham A.F.C. Women

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In 2018, the club reformed as Wrexham A.F.C. Women, joining the North Wales Women's Football League to compete against teams across North Wales. Penycae F.C.’s Afoneitha Road was chosen for home matches and former Racecourse Community Foundation coach Luke Wynne became the manager.[7] The League was split into 'Division One' and 'Division Two' in North Wales; Wrexham entered the bottom tier as a new club of 'Division Two'. In that season, Wrexham won the North Wales Women's Division Two league cup, beating Rhyl Development 3–2 in a cup final hosted at Bala Town's Maes Tegid but lost the League’s Supplementary Cup to Amlwch Town Ladies.[8] They finished the season 4th in the league and gained promotion to Division One.

In the 2019/20 season, the COVID-19 pandemic cut the season short with Wrexham in 8th place after losing all league games. The Football Association of Wales decided to use points per game (PPG) calculation to work out the finishing positions for the teams in all leagues with no female teams being relegated.[9]

2020–2023: New owners, promotion to Adran Premier

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In November 2020, Canadian-American actor Ryan Reynolds and American actor Rob McElhenney, through their RR McReynolds Company LLC, bought Wrexham A.F.C.[10][11] Due to the Christmas 2020 second lockdown, the 2020/21 season was canceled with no games being played.[12]

Before the start of the 2021/22 season, the FAW announced a restructure of Women's football in Wales, with a new Tier 2 league split into Adran North and Adran South with specific criteria needed to enter. The FAW opened up both tiers to all clubs to apply to join. Wrexham applied for the Tier 2 North and completed a successful first campaign as an inaugural member that new second tier, finishing runners-up to Llandudno Ladies F.C. after losing to the champions in a winner-takes-all game on the final day of the season at Maesdu Park.[13]

On 9 February 2023, Wrexham announced they had applied for a Tier 1 license, and would become semi-professional if promoted to the Adran Premier for the 2023/24 season.[14] They won the Adran North championship trophy on March 26 after winning all their league games and earned promotion after winning the playoff game 1-0 against Briton Ferry Llansawel, on April 16 in Latham Park.[15]

2023– present: Adran Premier and turning semi-professional

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On 27 June 2023, the club announced that ten players have signed semi-professional contracts, a first in club history,[16] making them the first Adran Premier team to feature semi-professional players. Cardiff City F.C. did the same on 29 June and Swansea City Ladies F.C. on 16 August. At the start of 2024, they were third in the league with striker Rosie Hughes leading the league in scoring.[17] They finished 3rd and reached the finals of the FAW Women's Cup for the second time. The club was granted its first UEFA license in March 2024.[18] In June 2024, the team participated in the very first separate women's tournament of The Soccer Tournament where they failed to exit the group stage.[19] In July 2024, the club made its first-ever tour abroad when it played three games in the USA through a sponsorship with Ally Financial,[20] playing against SoCal FC (0-9), the U19 team of Tigres Femenil (1-6) and the academy team of Portland Thorns FC (0-7).[21]

Stadium

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They first played their home games at the North East Wales Institute, moved to Penycae F.C.’s Afoneitha Road after their reformation in 2018[22] and later played their home games at the Brymbo Sports & Social Complex in Wrexhmam.

For the 2023–24 season, the team moved to The Rock in Rhosymedre after reaching a multi-year agreement with Cefn Druids A.F.C. to see the women’s section train and play their home games at The Rock Stadium.[23] The capacity is 3,000 (500 seats).

Sponsorship

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In May 2023, the team's training kit was announced to be sponsored by Betty Buzz, a beverage company owned by Blake Lively, for the 2023–24 season.[24]

Kit manufacturers and sponsors

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Period Brand Shirt Sponsor (chest) Shirt Sponsor (back) Shirt Sponsor (sleeve)
2021–22 Macron[25] TikTok[26] Expedia[26] Aviation American Gin[27]
2022–23 Betty Buzz[28]
2023–present United Airlines[26] VistaPrint[29]

Players

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Squad

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As of 3 October 2024[30]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Wales WAL Delyth Morgan
2 DF Wales WAL Phoebe Davies
3 DF Wales WAL Olivia Fuller
4 DF Wales WAL Erin Lovett
5 DF Wales WAL Louisha Doran
6 FW England ENG Abbie Iddenden
7 MF England ENG Rebecca Pritchard
8 MF England ENG Brooke Cairns
9 FW Wales WAL Rosie Hughes
10 MF Wales WAL TJ Dickens
11 FW England ENG Amber Lightfoot
12 MF England ENG Carra Jones
No. Pos. Nation Player
14 MF England ENG Nat Clark
15 DF Wales WAL Katie Sharp
16 FW Wales WAL Ava Suckley
20 GK England ENG Lizzie Craven
21 MF Wales WAL Lili Jones
22 DF England ENG Keren Allen (captain)
23 MF Wales WAL Mari Gibbard
25 DF England ENG Emma Burnham
28 MF Wales WAL Leah Burke
30 MF Wales WAL Anna Marsh
35 GK England ENG Chloe Ankers

Player records

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  • Most goals in a season in all competitions: 65 – Lowri Edwards (2011-12)[31]
  • Most league goals in total: 78 – Lowri Edwards[32]
  • Most league appearances: 82 – Lyndsey Rodger (2011-2015)[33]
  • Most appearances in total: 111 – Del Morgan (2011–ongoing)[34]

Women's Player of the Season

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Women's Young Player of the Season

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  • 2021-22 - England Amber Lightfoot[35]
  • 2022-23 - England Amber Lightfoot[36]
  • 2023-24 - Wales Lili Jones[37]

Women's Players' Player of the Season

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  • 2021-22 - Wales TJ Dickens[35]
  • 2022-23 - Wales Erin Lovett[36]
  • 2023-24 - Wales Phoebe Davies[37]

Women's Top Goalscorer

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  • 2021-22 - Wales Rosie Hughes[35]
  • 2022-23 - Wales Rosie Hughes[36]
  • 2023-24 - Wales Rosie Hughes[37]

Seasons

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Season League
Division Pld W D L GF GA Pts Pos
as Wrexham Ladies FC
2009–10 Welsh Premier Women's League - Northern conference 6 0 1 5 7 17 1 4th
2010–11 Welsh Premier Women's League - Northern conference 8 3 2 3 11 10 11 3rd
2011–12 Welsh Premier Women's League 8 6 1 1 30 13 19 Runner-up
2012–13 Welsh Premier Women's League 20 13 2 5 67 27 41 3rd
2013–14 Welsh Premier Women's League 20 6 6 8 34 35 24 6th
2014–15 Welsh Premier Women's League 20 9 2 9 42 40 29 6th
2015–16 Welsh Premier Women's League withdrew mid-season[5]
as Wrexham AFC Women
2018–19 North Wales Women's League, Div. 2 11 5 4 2 49 18 19 4th[citation needed]
2019–20 North Wales Women's League, Div. 1 7 0 0 7 4 31 0 8th[38]
2020–21 season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021–22[39] Adran North 14 11 0 3 77 28 33 2nd
2022–23[40] Adran North 12 12 0 0 70 6 36 1st
2023–24 Adran Premier 20 11 2 7 41 37 35 3rd
2024–25 Adran Premier 3 0 0 3 2 8 0 NA

Team records

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Main article: List of Wrexham A.F.C. records and statistics

Club officials

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For other staff, see Wrexham A.F.C. § Club officials.
As of 21 July 2024[50]

Women's Coaching Staff

[edit]
Role Name
First Team Manager England Steve Dale
First Team Assistant Manager Wales Josh Evans
Strength and Conditioning Coach England Zoe Clair
Performance Analyst England Connor Hindley
Goalkeeping Coach Wales David Williams
Sports Therapist Wales Lindsay Morris
Under 19's Manager Wales Gareth Owen
Under 19’s Assistant Manager Wales Gary Evans
Women's Football Operations Wales Gemma Owen

Honours

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League

Cups

Literature

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  • Champions 2022/23 – The Story Of A Record-Breaking Season, Wrexham A.F.C., 2023

Documents the campaigns of both teams.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Wrexham resign from Welsh Premier Women's League". Daily Post. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Wrexham resign from Welsh Premier Women's League". Daily Post. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  3. ^ "Women's Football in Wrexham". The Wrexham AFC Archive. July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  4. ^ "Wrexham resign from Welsh Premier Women's League". Daily Post. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Jones, Dave (14 January 2016). "Wrexham resign from Welsh Premier Women's League". North Wales Live. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Women's Football in Wrexham". The Wrexham AFC Archive. July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Home venue and new coach secured for newly-reformed Wrexham AFC Women's football team". Dailypost. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Women's Football in Wrexham". The Wrexham AFC Archive. July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  9. ^ "FAW announce promotions and relegations of football teams". Wales247. 17 June 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  10. ^ "DONE DEAL: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney acquire Wrexham AFC". The Non-League Paper. 16 November 2020. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  11. ^ "Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney: Hollywood stars to take over Wrexham". BBC Sport. 16 November 2020. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  12. ^ "Welcome to Wrexham Women: A bright future ahead". ESPN. 8 March 2024.
  13. ^ "Best thing to happen in North Wales women's football for a long time – a review of the first Genero Adran North League season". NWSport. 31 March 2022.
  14. ^ "Wrexham AFC Women to become semi-professional". Wrexham A.F.C. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  15. ^ "REPORT | Wrexham AFC Women 1-0 Briton Ferry Llansawel". www.wrexhamafc.co.uk.
  16. ^ "CONTRACT NEWS | Wrexham AFC Women stars sign first semi-pro contracts". www.wrexhamafc.co.uk.
  17. ^ "Results". www.adranleagues.cymru. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  18. ^ "Wrexham AFC Women Awarded first UEFA License and FAW Tier 1 License renews for 2024/25 Season". www.wrexham.com. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  19. ^ "TST 2024 schedule, results: The Soccer Tournament full list of matches and highlights for 7v7 competition". Sportingnews. 11 June 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  20. ^ "Ally Financial Continues to Make Women's Sports Unmissable, Sponsors U.S. Tour for Wrexham AFC Women". www.adranleagues.cymru. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  21. ^ "Match Results Season 2024-25". Wrexham AFC Archive. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  22. ^ "Women's Football in Wrexham". The Wrexham AFC Archive. July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  23. ^ "Wrexham AFC women to train and play at The Rock Stadium". The Leader. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  24. ^ "Blake Lively's company named as Wrexham's training kit sponsor for next season". The Leader. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  25. ^ Gijy, Jacob (6 March 2022). "Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham Extend Major Partnership With Italian Firm as They Eye League Promotion". EssentiallySports. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  26. ^ a b c Sheena, Jasmine (10 June 2023). "United Airlines inks sponsorship deal with Wrexham AFC". Marketing Brew. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  27. ^ Brooker, Alice (5 July 2021). "Ryan Reynolds launches Aviation Gin kit for Wrexham AFC". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  28. ^ "Blake Lively's "Betty Buzz" becomes new Wrexham AFC Women sleeve sponsor". Wrexham.com. 27 July 2022. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  29. ^ Mahadik, Gauresh (3 June 2023). "Wrexham AFC sustain sponsorship ties with VistaPrint". SportsMint Media. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Women - Wrexham AFC". Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  31. ^ "Top Goalscorers (By Season) All Competitions". The Wrexham AFC Archive. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  32. ^ "Lowri Edwards Player Profile". The Wrexham AFC Archive. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  33. ^ "Lyndsey Rodger Player Profile". The Wrexham AFC Archive. July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  34. ^ "Women's Football in Wrexham". The Wrexham AFC Archive. July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  35. ^ a b c d "AWARDS | 2021/22 end-of-season winners revealed". www.wrexhamafc.co.uk.
  36. ^ a b c d "PLAYER OF THE SEASON | 2022/23 award winners named". www.wrexhamafc.co.uk.
  37. ^ a b c d "END-OF-SEASON AWARDS | Paul Mullin and Rosie Hughes make it three in a row". www.wrexhamafc.co.uk.
  38. ^ "Season Overview Covid-19 curtails campaign". Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  39. ^ "Football fixtures, results and tables service for Wales : All Wales Sport". www.allwalessport.co.uk.
  40. ^ Sherlock, Harry (20 March 2023). "Only four Wrexham Women stars make the cut as Adran North releases Team of the Year despite Welsh side winning every game & scoring 70 goals". Goal.comSportsMint Media. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  41. ^ @WrexhamAFCWomen (27 July 2024). "History made. With 10,379 supporters at Providence Park, we have officially smashed our record attendance" (Tweet). Retrieved 27 July 2024 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  42. ^ "Wrexham 2-1 Connah's Quay: Record crowd of 9,511 at Welsh domestic women's game". BBC. 26 March 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  43. ^ "Club Records All Competitions". Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  44. ^ "Club Records North Wales Womens Football League". Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  45. ^ "Europe beckons for UWIC". shekicks.net. 15 May 2012. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  46. ^ "Club Records FAW Cup". Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  47. ^ "Season Overview Season 2012-13". Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  48. ^ "Football fixtures, results and tables service for Wales : All Wales Sport". www.allwalessport.co.uk.
  49. ^ "Match Results Season 2011-12". Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  50. ^ "Staff". Wrexham AFC. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  51. ^ "REPORT | Wrexham AFC Women 1-0 Briton Ferry Llansawel". www.wrexhamafc.co.uk.
  52. ^ "Best thing to happen in North Wales women's football for a long time – a review of the first Genero Adran North League season". NWSport. 31 March 2022.
  53. ^ "Women's Football in Wrexham". The Wrexham AFC archive. July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  54. ^ "Wrexham resign from Welsh Premier Women's League". Daily Post. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  55. ^ "Women's Football in Wrexham". The Wrexham AFC Archive. July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  56. ^ "Women's Football in Wrexham". The Wrexham AFC Archive. July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
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