# Everton F.C. (women)

Everton Football Club (/ˈɛvərtən/) is an English women's association football team based in Liverpool, England, that competes in the FA Women's Super League, the top division of English women's football. Formed in 1983 as Hoylake W.F.C., it is now part of Everton F.C. and has played home games at Walton Hall Park in Walton since February 2020. The team has won the Premier League National Division once, the Premier League Cup once, and the Women's FA Cup twice.

## History
### Early years

The club started life as Hoylake WFC in 1983. It merged with Dolphins YC to become Leasowe, then added Pacific to its title in a sponsorship deal. In 1987–88, the team came to prominence winning the North West Women's League and reaching the 1988 Women's FA Cup final, losing to Doncaster Belles 3–1. It came back the following year to beat Friends of Fulham 3–2. By 1991–92, Leasowe Pacific had won its regional league for five years running, and when the regular national competition was expanded the next season it was admitted to Division One North, promptly finishing top to join the FA Women's Premier League.

### Becoming Everton

In 1995, the club became known as Everton Ladies and continued to make its mark. In 1997, it reached the final of the Premier League Cup only to lose to Millwall Lionesses 1–2. The following year, however, the team was crowned National Premier League Champions which is its biggest success to date. In 1999 the club again lost in the League Cup final, 1–3 to Arsenal Ladies, and in 2005 reached the FA Women's Cup final only to lose 0–1 to Charlton Athletic after a disappointing display. Revenge of sorts came two years later when Everton pipped Charlton to second place in the Premier League, which as champions Arsenal had already won the UEFA Women's Cup, meant a European debut for the Toffees in 2007–08. In 2008, it won the Premier League Cup by beating Arsenal in the final. Arsenal was unbeaten in England two years at the time.
The club's first foray into UEFA competition saw it win its opening game 4–0 against Lithuanian side Gintra. It won further group games against Glentoran and Zulwil without conceding and scoring 20 goals in the process. The campaign was to end in disappointment at the second group stage. Despite beating Valur 3–1 in its final group game, Everton only finished third and failed to progress into the quarter–finals amidst much controversy.
On 10 May 2009, Everton needed only a draw against Arsenal Ladies in the last match of the season to win the Women's Premier League for only the second time in its history, but lost 1–0 to finish runners–up on goal difference. Due to the reformatting of the European Cup into the UEFA Women's Champions League, however, the team still qualified for Europe, although it had to enter at the qualifying group stages and was eliminated the in round of 32 by Norwegian team Roa IL. In 2010, Everton beat Arsenal 3–2 to win the FA Women's Cup with Natasha Dowie (niece of Iain) scoring the winner deep into extra time.
In 2011, the club advanced to the quarter–finals of the Champions League, where its best run so far was stopped by German side FCR Duisburg. Everton was one of eight founding teams in the FA WSL in March 2011.

### Relegation to FA WSL 2 in 2014

After several seasons finishing mid-table, Everton would struggle to gain form during the 2014 season having lost key players Jill Scott and Toni Duggan (both to Manchester City) during the off-season. In September 2014, Everton would lose 2–0 to Notts County, sealing its relegation to WSL 2 after 21 years of top flight football.
The 2014 FA Women's Cup final was the 44th final of the FA Women's Cup, England's primary cup competition for women's football teams. The showpiece event was the 21st to be played directly under the auspices of the Football Association (FA). The final was contested between Arsenal and Everton on 1 June 2014 at stadium:mk in Milton Keynes. This was the last cup final held outside Wembley Stadium. Holders Arsenal made its 14th final appearance, after winning the 2013 final. Everton was appearing in its fifth final.
As FA WSL 1 clubs, both teams entered the competition at the fifth round stage. Arsenal beat Gillingham (2–0), Birmingham City (2–1) and Chelsea (5–3) to reach the final. Everton defeated Cardiff City (3–1), Liverpool (2–0) and Notts County (2–1).
The victory gave Arsenal a rare FA Cup double with the men's team winning the final two weeks before, a feat they accomplished for the third time (also in 1993 and 1998).

### FA WSL 2 (2015–2017)

Everton would contend in WSL2, registering back-to-back third-place finishes during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. In anticipation of re-aligning the season with the typical FIFA calendar, the WSL 1 and 2 competed in a truncated 9-match season. The "FA WSL Spring Series" (as it became referred), would not have teams compete for promotion or relegation before the full 2017–18 season. Everton won the Spring Series, recording 7 wins from 9 with scoring led by Claudia Walker (7 goals) and Simone Magill (5 goals). The Spring Series title was the first since the FA Women's Premier League National Division 1997–98 season title.

### Return to top flight

Prior to the 2017–18 season, Notts County of the WSL 1 folded prior to the Spring Series prompting the FA to invite FA WSL 2 clubs to apply and fill the vacancy. Everton was awarded the invitation back into the top flight on 9 June 2017, and would compete in the WSL 1 for the 2017–18 season.
Everton struggled to gain much form during the 2017–18 season. Despite making a run to the semi-finals in the 2017–18 FA Women's Cup, Everton finished 9th in the table (only beating out winless Yeovil Town); however league structural changes prevented the club from being relegated.
Ahead of the 2019–20 season, the team dropped Ladies from its name. Although now simply called Everton, the club will use Everton Women in a formal capacity when necessary to avoid confusion with the men's team.
Everton reached the delayed 2019–20 FA Women's Cup final losing to Manchester City 1–3 after extra-time at Wembley on 1 November 2020.
In the 2022–23 season the Toffees finished sixth in the Women's Super League table while they ended the 2023–24 campaign in eighth.
The 2024–25 season saw Everton beat Manchester City for the first time ever in December 2024. The match ended 2–1 after two first half goals by Everton.

## Stadium

Everton had Rossett Park as its home ground starting in 1998, sharing with non-league side Marine A.F.C. in Crosby. Rossett Park would be the Blues' home ground for 15 years.
In 2013, the team moved to Halton Stadium (previously known then as "Select Security Stadium"), also used by its Merseyside rivals Liverpool. The move was prompted by needing improved technical requirements for the developing WSL standards and providing notably increased capacity.
Ahead of the 2018–19 season, Everton announced that it would play the first half of the season at Haig Avenue and ended up staying for the whole season.
In 2019, it was announced that the club would play its last game at the Haig Avenue on 29 September of that year before moving to Walton Hall Park but delays meant the team would not move like planned until February 2020.
As of February 23, 2020, Everton play at Walton Hall Park.

## Current squad

    As of 2 February 2025
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 1 | GK | IRL | Courtney Brosnan |
| 3 | DF | NOR | Maren Mjelde |
| 5 | DF | ESP | Martina Fernández (on loan from Barcelona) |
| 6 | MF | JPN | Honoka Hayashi |
| 7 | MF | AUS | Clare Wheeler |
| 8 | MF | BEL | Justine Vanhaevermaet |
| 9 | FW | NGA | Toni Payne |
| 10 | FW | ESP | Inma Gabarro |
| 12 | GK | ENG | Emily Ramsey |
| 14 | FW | ENG | Melissa Lawley |
| 15 | FW | FRA | Louna Ribadeira (on loan from Chelsea) |
| 16 | MF | WAL | Hayley Ladd |
| 17 | DF | SCO | Lucy Hope |
| 18 | MF | SCO | Emma Watson (on loan from Manchester United) |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 19 | DF | IRL | Heather Payne |
| 20 | DF | ENG | Megan Finnigan (captain) |
| 21 | FW | GRE | Veatriki Sarri |
| 22 | MF | ITA | Aurora Galli |
| 23 | DF | DEN | Sara Holmgaard |
| 24 | DF | SCO | Kenzie Weir |
| 25 | FW | NED | Katja Snoeijs |
| 26 | FW | DEN | Rikke Madsen |
| 27 | DF | NOR | Elise Stenevik |
| 28 | MF | DEN | Karen Holmgaard |
| 29 | FW | FRA | Kelly Gago |
| 42 | MF | ENG | Lauren Thomas |
| 47 | MF | DEN | Karoline Olesen |

### Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 4 | DF | ENG | Issy Hobson (at Sheffield United) |
| 38 | MF | ENG | Macy Settle (at Blackburn Rovers) |
| 40 | FW | ENG | Ellie Jones (at Sheffield United) |
| — | GK | POR | Inês Pereira (at Deportivo de La Coruña) |

## Staff
### Current Staff

| Name | Job Title |
| Alan McTavish | Chief Executive Officer |
| Brian Sorensen | Manager |
| Stephen Neligan | Assistant Manager |
| Ian McCaldon | Goalkeeping Coach |
| Chloe Edwards | Physical Performance Coach |
| Jacob Arnold | Sports Scientist |
| Catherine Wright | Director of Women's Football Operations |
| Connor Wagstaff | Sports Therapist |
| Alice Stratford | Performance Psychologist |
| Ruth Maddocks | Kit Lead |
| Gary Featherstone | Safeguarding & Player Care Manager |
| Keris McRoberts | Operations Lead |
| Amy Lewtas | Player Care Lead |

### Former players
## Honours

For a detailed international record see English women's football clubs in international competitions
* FA WSL 2 Spring Series:
** Winners (1): 2017
* FA Women's Premier League National Division:
** Winners (1): 1997–98
** Runners-up (5): 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10
* FA Women's Cup:
** Winners (2): 1988–89 (as Leasowe Pacific), 2009–10
** Runners-up (4): 1987–88 (as Leasowe), 2004–05, 2013–14, 2019–20
* FA Women's Premier League Cup:
** Winners (1): 2007–08
** Runners-up (2): 1996–97, 1998–99
* FA Women's Community Shield:
** Runners-up (2): 2006–07, 2008–09
* Liverpool County FA Cup:
** Winners (3): 2006, 2007, 2008

## Managers

| Name | Tenure | M | W | D | L | Win % | Notes |
| Keith Marley | – 2002 | | | | | | |
| Mo Marley | 2002 – 13 October 2012 | 206 | 129 | 26 | 51 | 62.2% | |
| Andy Spence | 14 November 2012 – 10 June 2015 | 51 | 16 | 13 | 22 | 31.4% | |
| Nicola Anderson | 10 June 2015 – 15 December 2015 | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 35.7% | Interim manager |
| Andy Spence | 15 December 2015 – 7 November 2018 | 45 | 19 | 5 | 21 | 42.2% | |
| Jennifer Herst | 7 November 2018 – 1 December 2018 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.0% | Interim manager |
| Willie Kirk | 1 December 2018 – 16 October 2021 | 70 | 29 | 7 | 34 | 41.4% | |
| Jean-Luc Vasseur | 29 October 2021 – 1 February 2022 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 16.7% | |
| Chris Roberts Claire Ditchburn | 1 February 2022 – 1 July 2022 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 23.1% | Interim managers |
| Brian Sorensen | 1 July 2022 – | 56 | 18 | 9 | 29 | 32.1% | |

## Awards
### Player of the Season

* 2006 – Jody Handley
* 2007 – Fara Williams
* 2008 – Lindsay Johnson
* 2009 – Fara Williams
* 2010 – Jill Scott
* 2011 – Natasha Dowie
* 2012 – Rachel Brown
* 2013 – Toni Duggan
* 2014 – Nikita Parris
* 2015 – Simone Magill
* 2016 – Kelly Jones
* 2017 – N/A
* 2018 – Angharad James
* 2019 – Simone Magill
* 2020 – Danielle Turner
* 2021 – Izzy Christiansen
* 2022 – Gabby George
* 2023 – Nathalie Björn
* 2024 – Courtney Brosnan

### Supporters Player of the Season

* 2007 – Rachel Unitt
* 2008 – Rachel Brown
* 2009 – Danielle Hill
* 2010 – Fara Williams
* 2011 – Fara Williams
* 2012 – Toni Duggan
* 2013 – Toni Duggan & Lizzie Durack (tied)
* 2014 – Nikita Parris
* 2015 – Danielle Turner
* 2016 – Simone Magill
* 2017 – Gabby George
* 2018 – Angharad James
* 2019 – Simone Magill
* 2020 – Lucy Graham
* 2021 – Izzy Christiansen
* 2022 – Gabby George
* 2023 – Megan Finnigan
* 2024 – Clare Wheeler

### Young Player of the Season

* 2019 – Chloe Kelly
* 2020 – Molly Pike
* 2021 – Poppy Pattinson
* 2022 – Hanna Bennison
* 2023 – Jess Park
* 2024 – Heather Payne

### Spirit of the Blues Award

* 2021 - Megan Finnigan
* 2022 - Aurora Galli
* 2023 - Nicoline Sørensen & Courtney Brosnan
* Women's association football portal
* Sports portal
* Association football portal
* England portal
* List of women's association football clubs in England and Wales
* Women's football in England
* List of women's association football clubs