With the season starting on Sunday, here is a round up of player news.
Announced Re-signings.
Giulia Livi
Mia Parkin
Molly Carter
Sophie Harvey (joins Firsts from U18s)
Emani Kassem
Millanna Cadore (joins Firsts from U18s / U23s)
Amy Leach (5th season)
Emma Newberry (10th season)
Bobby Lynch (5th season)
Emma Newberry
Mollie Dench
Axelle Courlander
Sophia Attfield
Ashleigh Harte
Emma Kern
New signings
Harriott Bray (AFC Reading, Burghfield)
Amber Taylor - goalkeeper - Tottenham, Watford, Actonians, Chesham United
Latifa Mammeri - West Ham U21s, QPR Reserves, Haringey Borough
Beth Chapman - midfield - Oxford City
Jess Watkins forward - Halifax, Brighouse Town, Bradford City, Souths United (Australia )
Ailish Carolan - defender/midfielder - Denham United, QPR (5 years)
Ellen Wardlaw - forward - QPR, Denham United, Brentford
Alex White and Sarah Zaoui - not formally announced but available for sponsorship
Departures
Three key senior players have left. Goalkeeper Chelsea Coles has joined Watford, and played for their Development side last weekend.
Katie Addington, Golden Boot winner for the past two seasons, and vastly experienced midfielder Sarah Davern, have stepped down a tier and signed for Beaconsfield Town. Eight other Chairgirls have also joined the Rams this summer.
Ciara Moore, Freya Harris, Ruby Harris, Charlotte Hill, Keira O'Leary, Lukia Pantazis, Georgia Price and Amelia Sage.
Madeline Armstrong is another first teamer, 12 appearances last season, who has signed for Beaconsfield Town. That makes eleven in total this summer, across different age groups.
A number of other senior players have not re-registered. Chief among those is Emily McCartney, who made the most first team appearances last season, 21, and was the Player's Player of the Season.
Kine Andersen, four goals in nine appearances is also not registered. She joined late last season, coming over from Norway when university started, so we may still see her.
Krystel Follett, 13 appearances, has stepped down two levels and joined Ruislip Rangers in the Thames Valley League.
Honor Cantrell, Erin Creedon, Gemma Dunn, Ellie Hickey, Alice Musgrove, Amaya Navarro, Erin Patterson, Jessica Poulter, Ammara Qureshi and Emily Strange all turned out for the seniors last term, current whereabouts unknown. Of course some players will be off to university.
I do think that for every new player announcement by the club, there should be a corresponding departure announcement. These are amateur players who give up a lot of time for their club.
Not the start hoped for but Portchester are on a roll, having won four promotions on the bounce, since reforming in 2020. They won Divisions 3, 2 and 1 of the Hampshire County League, before winning Southern 1 North last season.
FT Beaconsfield Town 2-0 U23s (HT 2-0)
Ex-Chairgirls Freya Harris and Katie Riddington with the goals. It had to be.
Today's Premier Division results. Winchester City Flyers and Reading did not play for some reason. An amazing result for Ascot, who are probably favourites to win the league, without knowing how strong Reading are, but Woodley finished third behind Ascot last season. Emma Dean has joined Woodley this season, after many years as a Chairgirl.
Division One North results. Milton's FA Cup win means that the Firsts will host them in the 2QR on 22 September.
The U18s start their season tomorrow in the JPL Warriors Cup. They travel to Cambridge United, with a later kick-off of 1:30pm on the 3G at Cambourne Village College, Cambourne CB23 6FY.
On Sunday, the Firsts are away in the league to Selsey, who had the most difficult of seasons in the National Division 1 South West last season. They lost all 22 games, scored three goals and conceded 198. This included nine double figure losses. There was a mass exit of players at the start of that season, not clear why, after they finished 8th out of 12 the previous season. They now have a new management team and a new squad of players. Although pleased to get a 2-2 draw at Badshot Lea last Sunday, they will be disappointed to let slip a two goal lead in the last five minutes. Kick-off 2pm at the Seal Bay Stadium, High Street Ground, High Street, Selsey, PO20 0QG.
Also on Sunday, the U23s host Kidlington Youth who finished fifth and six points behind the Chairgirls last season, including a three point deduction. The Chairgirls beat them 3-2 at home last season, and lost 4-1 away. Kidlington beat Headstone Manor 5-1 in the FA Cup last weekend. Kick-off 2pm at the 1878 Stadium, Burnham SL1 8JG.
Have been told Gibraltar youth international Harley McGuigan is joining Wycombe although it's not yet official.
Apparently there's a bit of a hullaballo back in Gibraltar as one club has registered her as their player without her knowledge so guess we might have to see how that goes down.
Comments
ICYMI
https://www.wwfc.com/news/2024/june/03/chairgirls-season-tickets-now-available/
Thanks for the reminder @peterparrotface, I've just renewed mine. £30 for STH, £35 otherwise.
A good way to support the Chairgirls, even if you can't get to the games.
Chairgirls away to Newport Pagnell Town in the Senior Cup.
Ashleigh Harte scored two long range corkers at Chesham yesterday. Neither club appears to have released the match score yet.
https://x.com/WWFCWomen/status/1820468041622417491?t=95tmY0Qsrf_AkvpMbG5ZCw&s=19
Confirmation that Reading will be in the SRWFL Premier this season. No fixtures have been announced yet.
This is who the U23s will be facing in Division 1 North.
The B & B U18 Girls Cup has just been drawn and the Chairgirls have a bye.
Chesham won 5-3.
Last night the U18s played Oxford United U18s, result unknown.
The Chairgirls lost in the friendly at Dorking Wanderers yesterday, after leading at half-time. Result not published.
In the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round on 22 September, Wycombe host the winners of Milton United or Slough Town.
Was there a female equivalent of Marc White as Dorking manager, with slightly less swearing and slightly more coaching badges?
This is their team, Lou is a UEFA B licensed coach and a Spurs season ticket holder!
Uefa B fair play. Didn't know Calum Best was chairman!
Any idea how I can make a donation to the Chairgirls without denying someone else the opportunity of buying a season ticket?
You can donate to the Supporters Trust and I will ensure it gets passed on to WWWFC
Donation buttons on our membership page or bank details given https://wwst.org.uk/membership
Email me to confirm - [email protected]
Opening league fixtures for the Firsts, plus Milton/Slough in the FA Cup on 22 September.
Opening league games for the U23s.
Reading FC Women will be training and playing matches at Slough Town's Arbour Park this season.
Thanks Alan - I will try to sort it out this week
Warminster Town Ladies, who finished two points behind the Firsts last season, have folded.
The Southern Region Premier will run with ten teams this season.
That is a real shame, funding of women's football suffers even more from the lack of funds trickling down from the WSL
The U18s start the season, as usual, in the JPL Warriors Cup, in Group 3. There are eight groups totalling 42 teams.
Sep 7 - Cambridge United (A)
Sep 14 - Cambridge City (H)
Sep 21 - Oxford United (A)
Oct 5 - Goffs Oak (H)
Goffs Oak are based in Cheshunt.
With the season starting on Sunday, here is a round up of player news.
Announced Re-signings.
Giulia Livi
Mia Parkin
Molly Carter
Sophie Harvey (joins Firsts from U18s)
Emani Kassem
Millanna Cadore (joins Firsts from U18s / U23s)
Amy Leach (5th season)
Emma Newberry (10th season)
Bobby Lynch (5th season)
Emma Newberry
Mollie Dench
Axelle Courlander
Sophia Attfield
Ashleigh Harte
Emma Kern
New signings
Harriott Bray (AFC Reading, Burghfield)
Amber Taylor - goalkeeper - Tottenham, Watford, Actonians, Chesham United
Latifa Mammeri - West Ham U21s, QPR Reserves, Haringey Borough
Beth Chapman - midfield - Oxford City
Jess Watkins forward - Halifax, Brighouse Town, Bradford City, Souths United (Australia )
Ailish Carolan - defender/midfielder - Denham United, QPR (5 years)
Ellen Wardlaw - forward - QPR, Denham United, Brentford
Alex White and Sarah Zaoui - not formally announced but available for sponsorship
Departures
Three key senior players have left. Goalkeeper Chelsea Coles has joined Watford, and played for their Development side last weekend.
Katie Addington, Golden Boot winner for the past two seasons, and vastly experienced midfielder Sarah Davern, have stepped down a tier and signed for Beaconsfield Town. Eight other Chairgirls have also joined the Rams this summer.
Ciara Moore, Freya Harris, Ruby Harris, Charlotte Hill, Keira O'Leary, Lukia Pantazis, Georgia Price and Amelia Sage.
Players up for sponsorship - details from [email protected]
A video preview of the season: https://www.wwfc.com/news/2024/august/28/chairgirls-to-kick-off-new-league-season-this-sunday-/
On Sunday, the Firsts host newly promoted AFC Portchester in the league. Kick-off 2pm at the 1878 Stadium, Wymers Wood Road, Burnham SL1 8JG.
At the same time, the U23s face Beaconsfield Town FC in the league, at Holloways Park, Windsor Road, Beaconsfield HP9 2SE.
Why have so many left for Beaconsfield?
I don't know but it's interesting. I think the Rams will be challenging for promotion.
Madeline Armstrong is another first teamer, 12 appearances last season, who has signed for Beaconsfield Town. That makes eleven in total this summer, across different age groups.
A number of other senior players have not re-registered. Chief among those is Emily McCartney, who made the most first team appearances last season, 21, and was the Player's Player of the Season.
Kine Andersen, four goals in nine appearances is also not registered. She joined late last season, coming over from Norway when university started, so we may still see her.
Krystel Follett, 13 appearances, has stepped down two levels and joined Ruislip Rangers in the Thames Valley League.
Honor Cantrell, Erin Creedon, Gemma Dunn, Ellie Hickey, Alice Musgrove, Amaya Navarro, Erin Patterson, Jessica Poulter, Ammara Qureshi and Emily Strange all turned out for the seniors last term, current whereabouts unknown. Of course some players will be off to university.
I do think that for every new player announcement by the club, there should be a corresponding departure announcement. These are amateur players who give up a lot of time for their club.
"Eight other Chairgirls have also joined the Rams this summer.
Ciara Moore, Freya Harris, Ruby Harris, Charlotte Hill, Keira O'Leary, Lukia Pantazis, Georgia Price and Amelia Sage."
Apologies, I'm talking rubbish! Only Keira O'Leary joined this summer, the others played for Beaconsfield last season.
FT Firsts 0-3 AFC Portchester (HT 0-3)
Not the start hoped for but Portchester are on a roll, having won four promotions on the bounce, since reforming in 2020. They won Divisions 3, 2 and 1 of the Hampshire County League, before winning Southern 1 North last season.
FT Beaconsfield Town 2-0 U23s (HT 2-0)
Ex-Chairgirls Freya Harris and Katie Riddington with the goals. It had to be.
Today's Premier Division results. Winchester City Flyers and Reading did not play for some reason. An amazing result for Ascot, who are probably favourites to win the league, without knowing how strong Reading are, but Woodley finished third behind Ascot last season. Emma Dean has joined Woodley this season, after many years as a Chairgirl.
Division One North results. Milton's FA Cup win means that the Firsts will host them in the 2QR on 22 September.
Give the women are amateurs I suspect they move because they want less travelling for games/spend more time on careers/family.
The U18s start their season tomorrow in the JPL Warriors Cup. They travel to Cambridge United, with a later kick-off of 1:30pm on the 3G at Cambourne Village College, Cambourne CB23 6FY.
On Sunday, the Firsts are away in the league to Selsey, who had the most difficult of seasons in the National Division 1 South West last season. They lost all 22 games, scored three goals and conceded 198. This included nine double figure losses. There was a mass exit of players at the start of that season, not clear why, after they finished 8th out of 12 the previous season. They now have a new management team and a new squad of players. Although pleased to get a 2-2 draw at Badshot Lea last Sunday, they will be disappointed to let slip a two goal lead in the last five minutes. Kick-off 2pm at the Seal Bay Stadium, High Street Ground, High Street, Selsey, PO20 0QG.
Also on Sunday, the U23s host Kidlington Youth who finished fifth and six points behind the Chairgirls last season, including a three point deduction. The Chairgirls beat them 3-2 at home last season, and lost 4-1 away. Kidlington beat Headstone Manor 5-1 in the FA Cup last weekend. Kick-off 2pm at the 1878 Stadium, Burnham SL1 8JG.
Have been told Gibraltar youth international Harley McGuigan is joining Wycombe although it's not yet official.
Apparently there's a bit of a hullaballo back in Gibraltar as one club has registered her as their player without her knowledge so guess we might have to see how that goes down.