Middlesbrough Women
- Leagues Played
- England FA Premier Women 30 England FA Cup Women 6 England National League Women 4 England National League Division 1 Women 3 England FA National League Cup Women 1
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- Related Teams
- Middlesbrough Middlesbrough U23 Middlesbrough U21 Middlesbrough U19
Wikipedia - Middlesbrough F.C. Women
Middlesbrough Football Club Women ( MID-əlz-brə) is an English women's football club. Founded in 1976, they currently play in the FA Women's National League Division One North, with home games played at Bishopton Road West, Stockton.
Middlesbrough were founding members of the Northern Combination in 1998, and spent much of their early history in the third and fourth tiers of woman's football, aside from a brief spell in the second tier FA Women's Premier League Northern Division from 2002 to 2006. The club officially became affiliated with the men's team in 2023.
Middlesbrough also have a reserve side competing in the FA Women's National League Reserve Northern Division. Their home games are played at Middlesbrough College.
History
Formation and early years (1976–2010)
Middlesbrough Football Club Women was formed in 1976. Originally known as Cleveland Spartans, they played in the Nottinghamshire Ladies League, and were coached by Middlesbrough players Mark Proctor and David Hodgson. The club reached the 1982 WFA Cup Final, losing 2–0 to Lowestoft. Middlesbrough later played in the Yorkshire and Humberside Ladies League.
In 1996 Marrie Wieczorek became full time manager. Under her guidance Middlesbrough won the 2001–02 Northern Combination, and were promoted to the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division. They remained in the Northern Division for four seasons, returning to the Northern Combination following relegation at the end of the 2005–06 season.
Ups and downs (2010–present)
In September 2010, Middlesbrough travelled to North Korea and played two friendly matches against April 25, losing 6–2, and Kalmaegi, losing 5–0. In 2012 Gemma Grainger was appointed manager, and the club finished the 2012–13 season in fourth place. Grainger left the club in 2013 due to commitments to the England U19 team, and was replaced by player-manager Samantha Leigh.
As a result of the restructuring of the FA Women's Premier League for the 2014–15 season, Middlesbrough competed in the newly formed FA Women's Premier League Northern Division One. Under new manager and owner Lindsey Stephenson, the club finished the season in fourth place. Middlesbrough won the 2015–16 Northern Division One, and were promoted to the Northern Premier Division. In their first season back in the third tier of woman's football, Middlesbrough achieved a second-place finish. In June 2017 the club unveiled a new crest.
In January 2020, Ben Fisher was announced as new chairman, while Marrie Wieczorek returned to the club as an ambassador. Middlesbrough reached the semi-finals of the 2019–20 FA National League Plate, losing 2–0 to Watford. On 24 August 2021, former Middlesbrough player Andy Campbell was appointed manager. Middlesbrough were relegated to the National League Division One North at the end of the 2021–22 season.
On 26 May 2023, the club officially became affiliated with the men’s team, and Michael Mulhern was announced as manager. Middlesbrough played their first game at the Riverside Stadium on 17 September, a 0–0 draw against Stockport County.
Known for their attacking style of play and strong defensive organization, Middlesbrough Women have a loyal fan base and are considered one of the top teams in the country. The team's iconic red and white striped jerseys are a symbol of their proud heritage and tradition.
With a talented roster of players and a dedicated coaching staff, Middlesbrough Women continue to strive for excellence on the pitch and are always a formidable opponent for any team they face. Their commitment to developing young talent and promoting women's football in the community has earned them a reputation as a respected and admired club in Great Britain.