The new manager has made an impression on the Lionesses despite their narrow defeat against the USAAt the end of a week in which he had looked increasingly sure-footed it was perhaps appropriate that Phil Neville reached for a mountaineering metaphor. “The last step of climbing Mount Everest is always the hardest and that’s where we are now,” said the new England women’s coach following his side’s creditable performance in the SheBelieves Cup.A 4-1 victory against France in Columbus, a 2-2 draw with Germany in New Jersey and a 1-0 defeat to the USA, the tournament winners, in Orlando emphasised that, while both physically and tactically the Lionesses are a match for anyone, a slight technical shortfall remains. Related: Lieke Martens, Alex Morgan...
The Manchester City and England goalkeeper has her eye on a tight title race but is also keen to encourage girls to pursue their dreams of becoming footballersIn 2014 the Women’s Super League expanded into two tiers comprising 18 teams and Manchester City were ready to take the opportunity to climb. Having worked their way into the Premier League National Division, they ambitiously bid for a place in the top two leagues. Controversially, the side were granted a place in the top flight, relegating Doncaster Rovers Belles to the second tier to make way.City were serious about cementing their place at the top, and one of the players they recruited to help do so was Lincoln Ladies’ Karen Bardsley. Now...
Durack turned down a job at Goldman Sachs to play football and an unconventional career path has also seen her represent both Australia and EnglandIntellectual footballers are considered a rarity. As teams scoop primary school-age talent into their glistening academies, the lives of young players become consumed with football and education often becomes secondary at best – despite the low chances of ‘making it’.Yet in the women’s game it is different. Because professionalism is relatively new, most of those playing football at the top level today have had to have a plan B from the off. Related: Stanway's stunner earns Manchester City a point against WSL leaders Chelsea Continue reading...
New coaches backed by seven professional clubs, including Arsenal, to deliver introductory football sessions for 1,000 girls aged seven to 11 in the cityThe FA launched its women’s football Gameplan for Growth 11 months ago with three bold aims: to double participation, to double fans and to have consistent success on the world stage.It was a launch full of positivity and enthusiasm for the potential that exists across the board in the women’s game but it is fair to say the road has been rocky. The FA has faced criticism for its handling of Eni Aluko’s complaint and Mark Sampson’s sacking and its governance of, and restructure of, the domestic leagues. Related: Women’s football takes centre stage in museum exhibition...
The Denmark and Wolfsburg striker, widely regarded as one of the best three female players in the world, has stood out from a young age and Champions League success is her next target“I started playing when I was five or six years old. I played with boys until I was 11 because there was no girls’ team. It has always been accepted where I come from. Even though I was the only girl in the guys’ team, they wanted to play with me.”It is not surprising the boys wanted to play alongside Pernille Harder. The Danish striker’s prolific goalscoring and clever play have lit up every league she has played in and she is widely regarded as one of the...