#fa women's premier league cup

[zibaldone-di-pensieri]

Too many matches to follow today

[7yearsofdele]

What a day.

Battered Villa and our women knocking City out of the FA Cup to get to the SF.

COYS 🤍💙

[kakumeinoyuuki]

The joys of working and seeing that Spurs are a goal down (!)

The one silver lining is that the women also went behind to win earlier to day, so hopefully more of the same from us.

[pitchsidestories]

Alex Scott

celebrating female Black football players through the Black History Month

“Keep being the role models that you continue to be to all those young girls that are told 'no, you can't'. Football is a better place with us all in it." (Alex Scott)

Alex Scott (born 14 October 1984) is known to be one of the best as well as threatening full-backs in the WSL history. She was a crucial player for Arsenal and England for more than 10 years.

The defender came from the Arsenal Academy and first began as a striker, but changed to the position she's now remembered as.

Scott scored an important goal for Arsenal during their UEFA Women’s Cup campaign (now the UWCL) making her one of the first English footballer who won the quadruple.

In recent times Alex Scott is a popular presenter, broadcaster and writer.

Achievements:

5 FA Women’s Premier League titles

1 WSL title

7 Women’s FA Cups

2 FA Women’s Premier League Cups

3 FA WSL Cups

1 UEFA Women’s Cup

140 caps and 12 goals for England

Reading list:

Alex Scott, How (Not) To Be Strong (her memoir)

image sources

[storyshark2005]

Fic Update - Ch 7, [the gap between crack and thunder] - short! A flashback to 1999

Notes and References Below:

- An article on Jamie's red card against Carlton in 1999.

- The chapter summary quote is from an Athletic article 'The Premier League’s Forgotten Kids' by Daniel Taylor. It's a great article on dropped academy kids. If you can't access it at the link, comment or DM me on tumblr and I'll share my copy!

- Jamie gives a tour of Melwood! This video looks to be from about 2018/19 to me. The Men's team left Melwood in late 2020, and is now the home for LFC's women's team.

- Cass and Carra both attended Lilleshall from 1992-1994, age 14-16. They were roommates. Lilleshall was the FA's School of Excellence, basically only the top sixteen 14yr olds in the country were accepted into each class. So at that time, Cass and Carra were absolutley seen as footballing's brightest future stars. Steven Gerrard did NOT make the cut his year, neither did David Beckham or many other great players. Michael Owen attended a couple of years after Carra and Cass.

- Thommo is from Birkenhead across the River Mersey, Cass from Walton right next to Goodison Park. All three boys played against eachother on opposite youth teams (Wirral, Liverpool, Bootle) and Sunday League (Jamie for Merton Villa, Cass for Pacific, not sure on Thommo).

- There are a couple of articles from the Athletic about Cass and Thommo both. They're behind the paywall, but you can 12ft ladder them, or I've copied them into google docs that I can share with you.

- 1996 LFC feature of midfielder David Thompson . Thommo became dissatisfied with his playing time at Liverpool under Houlier, and ended up transferring to Coventry in the Summer of 2000. Just three years later a knee injury ended his career at age 25. In his own words, he was "ashamed" "terrified" and basically shattered. I'll talk more about Cass in a future chapter.

- Youtube video footage FULL CLIP of the first leg of the 1996 FA Youth Cup final. Featuring baby Rio Ferdinand and baby Frank Lampard playing for West Ham! No Michael Owen for this first leg, he was in Austria with the England Juniors. There's some good footage of Cass around 1h08m30s. Carra's #5, Thommo's #8, and Cass is #11.

- Youtube video of the second leg of the FA Youth Cup final. Mo is here scoring goals in this leg! Jamie was playing at centre-back, which was a recent position for him. Their usual CB Eddie Turkington was went off in the second leg of the semi-final, so Carra took his place. He did well there, obviously, which helped him find a home in the Liverpool squad.

[nicolesainz]

Within the limits (Ben Chilwell x Jenson Button x OC) Chapter 6

Author’s note: First chapter of 2024!! Happy new year babes! So, unfortunately, the updates on the story won’t be very regular given it’s exam season and school is sucking the life out of me, but I will try my best to update as regularly as possible!

Warnings: fluff, angst

next chapter

“I am so on the Messi hype train. Can’t imagine how buzzed I was when France started missing the penalties at the World Cup.”

“I thought you’d be more of a Ronaldo girl, given you live in Manchester.”

“My parents house is in London. That’s where I grew up. I moved to Manchester in 2022.”

“So, here’s a question for you. Where does the name ‘Chelsea’ come from? When Mase told me I was shocked.”

“So, my dad is a massive fan of the club. Always attending the games whether that’s Premier League, FA cup, Carabao cup, Champions league games, name it. He has pictures of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba on his office walls and replicas of signed shirts.”

“And then you were born, giving your father the perfect opportunity to name you Chelsea.”

“Exactly.”

“The name really suits you. Royal blue vibes. Which leads me to my next question, which club do you support?”

The drive to Manchester was one of the most enjoyable I’ve ever had, with Ben on the line, talking about our lives and getting to know each other. I feel like it would’ve been better if we were face to face but things have their time.

He was so keen on getting to know me better and I was too. I’ve been a fan of his for so many years, something I haven’t admitted yet, and learning more things about his life brings a smile to my face.

“A professional never reveals their favorite team. I have to remain unbiased, impartial and fair to every team.”

“But now you’re not being fair! Come on, it’s just the two of us. I swear I won’t tell a soul.”

“Look, here’s a deal. If you score a goal at the next match that I will happen to commentate on, I will tell you my favorite club. Deal?”

“Fine, you win. A goal for the club it is. You have a deal.” I can hear him groaning annoyed at the offer I made.

Sometimes life is not jolly for footballers either.

“It was lovely talking to you Benjamin. I have to go now unfortunately, just arrived home and I need to prepare my notes for Manchester’s next game.”

“Oh yes, I fully understand. I enjoyed our conversation and getting to know you better. Talk to you later, blue.” I smile at the nickname ‘blue’. It’s not the usual ‘chels’ but I very much like it.

When I open the door I instantly kick off my shoes and drop on the couch as if I am a human slushee. Every inch of my body hurts. And my heart as well. How can Jenson say such nasty things in front of my face?

Does he think I’m a slut? After all we’ve confessed to each other? Do these ‘I love you’s mean nothing to him?

———————————————————————————-

“In two games we play against each other, come on let me score a goal!”

“I love you and I appreciate your effort but no. We’ve been on a massive losing strike and I should be the one asking you to let me score a goal.”

“What if we both score? Game ends up 1-1, shared points?”

“Score all the goals you want against Palace all you want tomorrow. I’m sure she’ll be tuned in.”

“You can’t imagine how happy I was while we were talking. It felt good chatting again with a girl that was genuinely interested in getting to know me and not simply looking to fuck me.”

Being a footballer at the highest level, an England international and presumably one of the most handsome players in the league, can earn you the attention of many women. It’s just shame that most want to be with you simply for publicity reasons.

Chelsea was asking me questions that none of my previous girlfriends had ever bothered to ask me. What was my life in high school like? My favorite position to play in as a child? Favorite memory with friends from high school or teammates? I was stunned and touched by how much she was focused on detail.

“Chelsea is a good one. I’ll just warn you to be careful around the loverboy she’s with. Seems like a feisty one.”

“I wanna be her friend first and foremost. I want to get to know her and get close to her. It’ll be good to add another person to my inner circle and have a laugh with.”

Mason stops talking abruptly, I hear him opening his front door and quietly walking outside. He takes his keys with him and I am assuming he is afraid that something is going on.

"Everything okay mate?" I ask from the other line of the phone but Mason hushes at me really quickly.

"I can hear yelling from Chelsea's apartment. I can see two cars parked in front of her house, but I can't tell who is the person standing in front of her door."

"Is she alright? Is it her father?" worry rushes through me and my heartbeat is rising extremely fast.

"It looks like Jenson. Wait, I will call you back, I'm going here to help her get rid of him."

----------------------------------------------------------------

"I need to be alone right now Jense, what can't you understand?" It's incredible how I am literally begging for a few days of sanity.

"I can't live on the other side of England, knowing that my girlfriend is angry at me." The word 'girlfriend' almost made me throw up.

"I am not your girlfriend. You never asked me to be. You were the one who suggested we didn't put a label in our relationship and me being a classic idiot, I agreed" It should have been a warning sign that Jenson was not taking me as seriously as I thought.

"I thought that by saying 'I love you' to each other, this meant that our relationship was serious enough that we didn't have to labelize it."

"The moment you finally realise what I am to you, instead of just assuming, give me a call Jenson." I try to shut the door at his face but he holds it open with his arm. Fuck him.

"You have to be joking? Right? Come on Chels, don't act like a five year old." The moment those words left his mouth, I could have easily shed a river of tears but I had to show him that I wasn't as vulnerable as the current situation made me be.

Asking him to take me seriously is me acting like a kid? By that, he simply proves my point.

In the heat of the moment, before I could answer, Mason showed up, holding two bottles of wine, empty. I was kind of weird out by what he was trying to do. But I didn't question him.

"Hey, I am so sorry to interrupt, but you had promised to give me some of your cousin's wine. Guests are waiting." Mason said in a shyly manner, trying not to catch Jenson's attention too much.

"Oh yes, sorry, they are in my celery, let me bring them." I say, thankfully with the assistance of Mason and him using a very convincing lie.

"I will call you tomorrow Chelsea. You better pick up." Jenson's voice was extremely stern and all I did was nod to him. Not even a 'goodbye'. A simple head movement.

Jenson shut the door behind him and Mason let out a sigh of relief. He placed the bottles on the table and pulled out his phone to text someone, who ended up being Ben himself.

"Are you okay? The moment I heard screaming, I thought something was going on and we both got worried." My heart melted at the thought of two footballers and possible best mates of mine worrying about loud noises.

"Wait, who is we? Do you actually have guests?"

"No. I was on the phone with Ben when the yelling started. I told him about it and he got so worried that he was about to tell me to call the police."

Ben barely knows me 48 hours and yet he acts like the boyfriend Jenson isn't. Cares about me from distance and needs a double check from his friend.

"Thank you guys for everything. I don't know how to repay you. You saved a possible self invitation of Jenson at my house."

"It was nothing, Chels. We are friends. That's what we do. No need to repay us."

"Sure? If you need anything just tell me."

"Well, now that I am thinking about it, would you like to attend with me Chelsea vs Crystal Palace? Unless you're on the commentary box during the game."

"I won't be. Because the next day I will be commentating on United vs Fulham."

"Is that a yes then?"

"Definitely a yes!"

[tartt9]

afc richmond: a guide to the premier league underdogs (contains spoilers of the season 3 finale of ted lasso)

from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFC_Richmond

AFC Richmond is an English professional football club based in Richmond, West London. Founded in 1897, they play their home games at Nelson Road Stadium. The club competes in the Premier League, the top division of English football. The club has never won a major trophy.

Full name: AFC Richmond Nickname(s): The Greyhounds Founded: 1897; 125 years ago Ground: Nelson Road Capacity: 25,486 Owner: Rebecca Welton (51%), Richmond fans (49%) Chairman: Leslie Higgins Manager: Roy Kent League: Premier League 2021-22: Premier League, 2nd of 20

Richmond’s history has been notoriously mediocre. They were the last London club to make their Wembley Stadium debut (on April 18, 2021, for the 2021 FA Cup semifinals, against Manchester City). Formerly owned by Rupert Mannion, and (for a short time) Freddie Mercury, and formerly managed by George Cartrick and Ted Lasso, Richmond’s luck has truly turned around since 2019-20, when they were relegated to the EFL Championship. During that 2019 season, ownership changed hands from longterm owner Rupert Mannion, who had owned Richmond since 1987, to his now ex-wife, Rebecca Welton, after a divorce from a marriage in which Mannion cheated on Welton multiple times with multiple women. After Welton's acquisition of the club in January 2020, she hired American NCAA Division II football coach Ted Lasso to be the new manager of AFC Richmond. Lasso's extraordinary lack of knowledge of the game, despite assistance from another American coach, Coach Willis Beard, led to Richmond's relegation.

In the 2020-21 season, their first full season under the management of Ted Lasso, they earned second in the Championship and were therefore promoted back to the Premiership. They also made it to the semifinals of the FA Cup, the furthest Richmond has ever been in that competition.

In 2021-22, Richmond was predicted by literally every pundit who spoke on English football to finish 20th of 20 in the Premier League, and, therefore, be relegated once again. Statistically, it's likely that teams that earn their promotions get relegated again the very next year. But Lasso and his Greyhounds had things to say about that. After a 1-1 tie against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, legendary striker Zava joined Richmond, spurring the Greyhounds on a 5-game winning streak. It was week 6 of the season, and Richmond was in third place on the table. Their fate had seemingly turned around off the foot of Zava. But, after a devastating loss against West Ham (now owned by Rupert Mannion and managed by Nathan Shelley, formerly Richmond's kit man), they went 7 weeks without a win. When Zava retired in the middle of the season, Richmond went their 8th week without a win, and many people were considering Lasso's capabilities as manager. Those doubts continued through Richmond going to Amsterdam to play a friendly against AFC Ajax, that Richmond lost 5-0. But, upon their return to England and the Premier League, Richmond started playing with a new strategy - total football. Their first match against Arsenal also resulted in a loss, but Richmond was showing signs of life for the first time in months. Richmond ended the season on a 17-game winning streak (the longest streak in Richmond's history), earning second in the Premier League and promotion to the Champions League.

2021-22 starting xi:

14 - dani rojas (mexico, striker) 9 - jamie tartt (england, centre attacking midfield/striker) 12 - colin hughes (wales, left wing) 8 - richard montlaur (france, midfield) 21 - moe bumbercatch (switzerland, midfield) 24 - sam obisanya (nigeria, right wing) 2 - arlo dixon (england, right wing back) 13 - jan maas (netherlands, centre back) 5 - isaac mcadoo (england, centre back), captain 17 - jeff goodman (england, left wing back) 81 - thierry zoreaux (canada, keeper)

terms to know: gaffer: manager - formerly george cartrick, ted lasso, currently roy kent skipper: captain - formerly roy kent, currently isaac mcadoo

[valkyries-things]

RACHEL DALY // FOOTBALLER

“She is an English professional footballer who plays predominantly as a striker for Aston Villa in the FA Women's Super League. Having spent most of her career with Houston Dash in the NWSL, she spent her youth career at Leeds United, for which she also made her senior debut. She represented England and Great Britain. A versatile player, since 2019 Daly has played in defence, midfield, and attack. With Leeds United she won the Premier League Cup in 2010; with Houston Dash she won the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2020, as well as the Golden Boot and MVP awards for the competition. In her first season with Aston Villa, Daly became the WSL Golden Boot winner, PFA Women's Players' Player of the Year, Player of the Season, was featured in the Team of the Year, and twice won the Player of the Month award for the 2022–23 season. She holds the joint record for most goals in a WSL season, with 22 goals. Playing at all youth levels for England, Daly scored her first senior international goal on her debut in June 2016. With England, she made 84 appearances, winning the Euro 2022 and the 2023 Women's Finalissima, and taking silver at the 2023 World Cup.”

[opiatemasses]

Football’s Inclusivity Problem: When Supporting One Group Silences Another

*Read the bold for the short blog

As a sports sociology student and advocate for social change, I approach this topic with a commitment to understanding the intersections of sport, identity, and societal values.

Ultimately, one must ask: Is football, and sport in general, truly achieving inclusivity, or is it merely paying lip service at the expense of the players?

The words “I love Jesus” and “Jesus loves you” hold deep personal significance for many, including myself. However, these words have sparked controversy in sport, as seen in the case of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi, and his stance on the Premier League's (PL) rainbow armband campaign.

Figure 1 - Photo by Paul Shaw on Unsplash

During the Rainbow Laces campaign (29th Nov – 5th Dec 24), the Premier League and Stonewall promoted LGBTQ+ inclusion and tackled discrimination in sport using rainbow-themed items. However, the backlash against Guéhi for expressing his Christian beliefs by adding "I love Jesus" to his armband raised questions about the inclusiveness of similar initiatives such as BLM in sports, No Room for Racism and Women’s Sports Trust and Gender Equality. Guéhi faced criticism despite not making derogatory comments, highlighting a potential double standard in how expressions of faith are treated. He received a public warning from the FA but stood firm, later writing “Jesus loves you” in his next game.

Provocative? Yes. Offensive? Arguably, no. It was an expression of love and inclusivity from the Christian faith, championing the campaign’s message that no one is left. So why the uproar?

Interestingly, others declined to wear the rainbow armband for religious reasons, including Sam Morsy, captain of Ipswich Town FC, and a practising Muslim. Similarly, Orkun Kökçü of Feyenoord and a group of Muslim players from Toulouse FC made similar decisions but faced far less scrutiny.

The FA cited Guéhi as being in breach of FA Rule E3, which covers improper conduct, insinuating he had used offensive or threatening language referencing a protected characteristic. Is the PL’s acknowledgement of Muslim players fasting during Ramadan and making provisions the same as the expression of faith by a Christian plauer? What does this suggest about the distinction between acknowledging and expressing religious beliefs in professional sports?

Guéhi's actions highlight the tension between personal belief and institutional messaging in sport. His father, a church minister, accused the FA of double standards, pointing out the acceptance of religious references in national events like the FA Cup Final, where the hymn "Abide With Me" is sung, while criticising his son’s expression of faith. Activism plays a crucial role in democracy, as nobody should be told how to think or feel (Magrath, 2021).

Figure 2 - Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

From a sociological perspective, these instances reveal the complex interplay between individual beliefs, institutional values, and societal expectations. They also expose the challenges of creating truly inclusive spaces within sport, where multiple identities and perspectives coexist. Many athletes see their sports to escape the additional stressors they face in their daily lives (Newman et al., 2016), and debates like this only add to their mental load.

The controversy surrounding the Qatar 2022 World Cup and the PL’s Rainbow Laces campaign highlights the selective nature with which organisations like the FA push social justice agendas. Sportswashing, a term defining the use of sport by oppressive regimes to distract from human rights abuses, is pertinent here (Fruh et al., 2022).

While the FA and PL champion LGBTQ+ inclusivity through initiatives like Rainbow Laces, their financial ties to Qatar—a country with a notorious human rights record—expose their hypocrisy. Qatar’s criminalisation of homosexuality and oppressive laws starkly contrast the values promoted by these organisations. Yet, their lucrative commercial relationships with Qatari entities, such as Qatar Airways, go unchallenged.

This inconsistency reflects performative allyship, where organisations outwardly support social causes but fail to take meaningful action when economic interests are at stake. The PL’s acceptance of Qatari sponsorships undermines their LGBTQ+ advocacy, revealing the limitations of global sport as a vehicle for genuine social change.

These examples emphasise the challenges of balancing freedom of expression with inclusion, as it involves conflicting ideologies—religion and LGBTQ+ rights���within the public sphere of football. It raises questions about how sport navigates diverse belief systems while promoting unity. As homophobia declines, men are less policed by homohysteria (White et al., 2017).

The argument that Christian players face more scrutiny for expressing their faith compared to Muslim players highlights a perceived double standard in sport. Muslim players, particularly during Ramadan, are often accommodated with breaks for hydration, as seen in the Premier League. In contrast, Christian players face criticism for visible expressions of faith, such as wearing crosses or making the sign of the cross, with figures like Fabrice Muamba and Tim Howard facing media attention for discussing or displaying their beliefs. This disparity may stem from Christianity's historical dominance in the West, where its expressions are seen as mainstream, while minority religions are more actively accommodated. It also reflects secularisation, where traditional religious views are often sidelined in favour of cultural diversity, with the scrutiny of Christian players aiming to balance respect for faith with professional neutrality.

This controversy reflects broader societal struggles around diversity and inclusion. From a critical theory perspective, dominant ideologies within sport—shaped by Western liberal values—can marginalise alternative viewpoints, such as those informed by religious beliefs. This creates an environment where certain groups face greater criticism for expressing dissent, as evidenced by the backlash against Guéhi compared to his Muslim counterparts. Kaufman and Wolff's (2010) research on sport as a vehicle for social change demonstrates how athletes can be both empowered and constrained by institutional expectations. This tension is evident in Guéhi's case, where his attempt to express faith within the framework of inclusion met institutional resistance.

Through an intersectional lens, this situation reveals how overlapping identities—faith, ethnicity, and professional roles—impact public reactions. Christian players, often perceived as part of the majority in Western contexts, may face greater scrutiny because they challenge norms within a dominant framework. In contrast, Muslim players, associated with minority status, evoke different societal responses, reflecting cultural sensitivities and implicit biases.

There's also the issue of unspoken expectations placed on players. While supporting initiatives like Rainbow Laces or taking the knee isn’t mandatory, implicit pressure often compels players to participate, regardless of their personal beliefs. Those uncomfortable supporting such causes risk being branded as unsupportive, even though freedom of expression should extend to everyone.

This highlights a double standard within sports, where players who try to make a difference may be criticised, while those who refuse to participate in such movements face little consequence. The focus should be on supporting players brave enough to stand up for their beliefs while pushing sports organisations to implement genuine, lasting change.

Moving Forward

As a student of sports sociology, my aim is to explore how campaigns for inclusivity can be both effective and genuinely inclusive. How can sport become a space where diverse beliefs are respected without compromising the push for social progress? Using sociological theories, we can interrogate the ways power, culture, and identity shape these debates, ultimately working towards a more equitable sporting world.

Football clubs and governing bodies must go beyond visible acts of support. Cooper et al. (2019) emphasise that genuine social change in sport requires both individual activism and institutional support. Sustainable progress depends on creating spaces where diverse identities are respected while maintaining a commitment to equality. Institutions must implement long-term changes that tackle discrimination head-on, ensuring players can express their beliefs without fear.

The changes I want to see in football and sport go beyond symbolic gestures to create real, lasting impact. We need true inclusivity, with policies that actively support LGBTQ+ players and fans, ensuring football is a safe space for all. Players who take a stand should feel empowered, not fearful of backlash. Grassroots investment is essential to promote inclusivity at every level, not just the elite.

Football organisations must be accountable, taking concrete actions instead of issuing empty statements. Inclusivity should be an ongoing dialogue, not limited to specific campaigns.

Ultimately, football can create real, systemic change by moving beyond performative actions and becoming genuinely inclusive.

Figure 3 - Photo by Lars Bo Nielsen on Unsplash

[ambitiousbaba]

Ballon d'Or 2024 Winners: Full List

Ballon d’Or 2024 Winners: Full List The 2024 Ballon d’Or awards, held on October 30 at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, celebrated the top football achievements of the past season. The prestigious Men’s Ballon d’Or went to Manchester City’s midfielder Rodri, honored for his pivotal role in City’s historic treble victory in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League. For the Women’s Ballon…

[ff-insider]

Bienvenidos a F.F Insider, un Blog sin fronteras, el día de hoy vamos a hablar de la Futbolista y nominada al Balón de Oro, Lucy Bronze, la cual se ha convertido en una futbolista de gran prestigio a lo largo de su carrera.

Lucia Roberta Tough Bronze, más conocida como Lucy Bronze, es una de las futbolistas más destacadas y reconocidas mundialmente en el fútbol femenino. Nacida el 28 de octubre de 1991 en Berwick-upon-Tweed, Inglaterra, Bronze ha dejado una marca innegable en cada equipo en el que ha jugado, así como en la selección nacional de Inglaterra. Su carrera está llena de logros, premios y un increíble esfuerzo por la excelencia, lo que la ha convertido como una de las mejores defensoras de todos los tiempos.

Primeros años y carrera temprana

Lucy Bronze comenzó su aventura futbolística en el Sunderland, un equipo de la FA Women's Premier League, donde rápidamente destacó por su habilidad y talento innato. Su carrera siguió un ascenso, moviéndose a Everton y luego a Liverpool, donde sus contribuciones ayudaron a ambos equipos a lograr éxitos significativos. En Liverpool, fue una pieza clave en la obtención de dos títulos consecutivos de la Women's Super League (WSL) en 2013 y 2014. Su desempeño no pasó desapercibido y en 2014, se unió al Manchester City.

Éxito en el Manchester City

En el Manchester City, Bronze continuó su racha de éxitos, ganando la FA WSL Cup y la FA Women's Cup. Durante su tiempo en el equipo, Bronze se convirtió en una líder indiscutible, tanto dentro como fuera del campo. Sus habilidades defensivas, combinadas con su capacidad para apoyar en ataque, la hicieron indispensable. Además, su profesionalismo y ética de trabajo la convirtieron en un modelo a seguir para las jóvenes jugadoras.

Triunfos en Europa y Reconocimientos Individuales

El siguiente paso importante en su carrera llegó cuando se unió al Olympique Lyonnais en 2017, uno de los clubes más prestigiosos en el fútbol femenino. Con Lyon, Bronze ganó tres títulos de la UEFA Women's Champions League, con lo cuál reforzó su estatus como una de las mejores defensoras del mundo. Su tiempo en Lyon también hizo que obtuviera múltiples reconocimientos individuales, incluido ser nombrada la Mejor Jugadora de la UEFA en Europa en 2019. Estos éxitos no solo reflejan su habilidad en el campo, sino también su capacidad para sobresalir en el más alto nivel de competencia.

Después de su exitoso paso por Francia, Bronze regresó a Inglaterra para jugar con el Manchester City una vez más, antes de fichar con el Barcelona en 2022. Lucy Bronze se unió al FC Barcelona en junio de 2022, tras su exitoso paso por el Manchester City y Lyon, su llegada al Barça fue muy esperada, ya que se considera una de las mejores defensoras del mundo. Durante su estadía en el club, Bronze demostró su talento y versatilidad, jugando tanto de defensora como centrocampista en lateral derecho.

Éxitos y Logros en el Barça

En su tiempo con el Barcelona, Lucy Bronze fue parte de un equipo que ha ganado numerosos títulos, incluyendo dos títulos de la UEFA Women's Champions League, la Copa de la Reina y la Supercopa de España. Su capacidad para marcar goles y su habilidad defensiva fueron cruciales para el éxito del equipo. En total, jugó 70 partidos con el Barcelona, anotando cinco goles.

Impacto y Contribuciones

Bronze fue una pieza clave en la defensa del Barcelona, conocida por su fuerza física, habilidad técnica y capacidad para ayudar en el ataque. Su experiencia y liderazgo fueron fundamentales para guiar a las jugadoras más jóvenes del equipo. Además, su presencia fortaleció la defensa del Barça, convirtiéndola en una de las más fuertes de la liga.

Despedida y Futuro

A pesar de su éxito en el Barça, Lucy Bronze anunció que dejaría el club al final de su contrato en junio de 2024, esto desató un gran escándalo entre los aficionados ya que era de las favoritas. Su próximo destino sería el Chelsea FC.

En su debut europeo con el Chelsea, ya ha dejado una marca significativa, anotando su primer gol para el club en una victoria contra el Crystal Palace. Su presencia en el equipo aporta una mezcla de experiencia, talento y liderazgo, que será fundamental para las aspiraciones del club en la liga y en Europa.

Legado y Contribuciones Fuera del Campo

Más allá de sus logros en el campo, Lucy Bronze ha sido una firme defensora de la igualdad de género en el deporte. Ha utilizado su plataforma para abogar por mayores oportunidades y recursos para las futbolistas, inspirando a una nueva generación de jugadoras. Su influencia se extiende más allá del fútbol, convirtiéndola en un símbolo de empoderamiento y perseverancia.

En conclusión Lucy Bronze ha recorrido un largo camino desde sus inicios en Sunderland hasta convertirse en una superestrella global. Su carrera está marcada por una serie de logros impresionantes, tanto en el ámbito nacional como internacional. Con su talento, dedicación y pasión por el deporte, sigue escribiendo su legado en el fútbol femenino, Lucy Bronze es una gran inspiración para todas las generaciones que quieren llegar a ser tan grandes como ella en el ámbito del deporte.

Y Recuerden esto es F.F Insider un Blog sin fronteras, nos leemos en el próximo blog.

[leicamoments]

Semi-Final Woe for Railway

Harrogate Railway Ladies 1-5 Leeds Modernians Ladies

Bank holiday weekend and instead of loads of games scheduled, there actually seemed to be relatively few on. What a shame given that many teams have a backlog of fixtures to catch up on, and the weather was fantastic.

Looking at what was scheduled to be played, there was only one real option for me…a trip to Station View to cover Harrogate Railway Ladies First team.

Now, I will be totally honest…I cast an eye at the FA website fixtures, then the table and misread what the fixture was. I thought that this was Railway’s last league game and next week was the League Cup semi-final.

Not my finest moment.

Anyway, I arrived at the ground about 45 minutes before kick-off and made my way to the dugouts���the camera case has been there so many times over the last decade, it could probably wheel itself there on its own.

Railway had beaten Knaresborough Town Women in the quarter final on a day that could be described as being the antithesis to the glorious weather for the Semi-final.

Harrogate’s opponents in the Semi-final were Leeds Modernians Ladies, a team with a formidable record this season. Leeds Mods sit at the top of the West Riding County Women’s Football League Premier Division, having already secured promotion and the league title.

With a game left in the league, Leeds have won 16 games and drawn only one; Railway have played them three times already this season, losing all three fixtures. This was going to be a formidable challenge for them.

Harrogate Railway have had an excellent season themselves, sitting fourth in the Premier Division and having had good runs in both cups.

The visitors started well, actually very well, enjoying both territorial advantage and the lions-share of possession. Railway tried to disrupt Leeds Mods play but struggled to get up the pitch and put any real sustained pressure on their opponent’s goal.

The first real chance to open the scoring fell to Leeds Mods as a shot was spilled by Railway’s keeper and the striker could only hit the outside of the post as the goal gaped wide open. 

It only took around eight minutes for the visitors to actually open the scoring with a long ball played through the Railway defence and a calm finish, 0-1.

With about 15 minutes of the half remaining, Harrogate Railway were clawing themselves into the game, winning more possession and various battles all over the pitch; but it was Leeds who got their second with around five minutes of the half remaining, 0-2.

Half time and Harrogate Railway needed to regroup. Two goals down, Railway had a mountain to climb, but were still up for the fight.

The second half got underway, and Harrogate were pushing further forward, gaining more possession, and working hard to get back into the game.

Unfortunately for Railway, a move in the fifth minute of the second half down Leeds Mods left by the visitors saw a shot placed across the goal and just inside the post to make it 0-3.

Leeds were enjoying themselves now, knowing that they had probably won the game already, playing some nice passing football, with their number 18 in particular impressing up front.

It took until around the 85th minute for Leeds to get their next to make it 0-4, rapidly followed a couple of minutes later by their final goal of the game, 0-5.

Harrogate Railway could have been forgiven for giving up at that point, but they continued to battle and in the closing minutes of the game won a corner on their right.

Lou Donnelly fired in a wonderful cross and Paige Swales got on the end of it to fire it through a crowd of players and past the Mods’ keeper to make it 1-5. The goal was richly deserved given the work rate the team had put in throughout the half.

The final whistle went, and Leeds Modernians Ladies progress to the League Cup final, and deservedly so given the excellent play they had shown throughout the 90 minutes.

Railway probably didn’t deserve to lose by as much as 5-1, they had some excellent spells in the game and showed more of their usual character in the second half; but ultimately, they were beaten by a team that were more clinical in front of goal.

Railway return to league action next week for their final game in the 2023/24 Premier League season, entertaining Bradford Park Avenue at Station View at 2pm on Sunday 12th May.

Leeds Modernian Ladies scorers – Leah Garbutt, Tanya Fozzard, and a hattrick by Lauren Tate.

Good luck to Leeds Mods in the final!

[news4trafford]

This year will be one of the best ever for all sports fans

This year 2024 will be one of the best years for all sports nationally and internationally with the climax of the Premier League, FA Cup Final to look forward to with the hope of another Manchester derby. Locally we will see the Great Manchester Run on May 26 and June 6 the Tour de Britain (Cycling) women’s event takes place with Stage 3 starting in Warrington on 8 June and Greater Manchester on…

[joeyvimsantepoet]

Cross Border Football Cups

How about Saudi Arabia fund a cross border club trophy with teams from Saudi Arabia, Scotland, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, North America, Africa and other Euripean nations? Saudi Arabia has wealth, but Scotland has intense passionate supporters. Clubs like Glasgow Celtic, Aberdeen, Glasgow Rangers, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Dundee, and Dundee United could bring passionate games and lore to Saudi soccer.How about cross border cups for Scottish football. I say a good way for Scottish football to improve is to have cross border trophies on top of domestic and European football.There are an entire host of ideas that could happen. Bring back the Anglo Scottish Cup.Change the Scottish Premiership to a 16 team 30 game league. Then have extra cross border cups.Ideas could include a North Atlantic League Cup. With the top four to 8 SPFL clubs playing a group stage trophy with teams from Europe, Asia, or Africa, or North America, or Saudi Arabia.

The Scottish allow Welsh and Northern Ireland club sides in the Scottish Challenge Cup.The Scottish and Welsh Rugby clubs travel to places like South Africa, and Italy. And UEFA soccer has seen Scottish sides travel to Central Asia. So football clubs could travel 5 or 8 times a year to the USA, or Africa.In UEFA trophies Scottish and Welsh sides have been to Central Asia.

Other ideas could include having all Scottish Premiership sides not in Europe, plus selected Welsh Cymru Premier club sides, and perhaps North West French sides in the Football League Trophy.

There could easily be 16 teams added to the EFL Trophy with a little reorganisation of the trophy to add the new sides.Perhaps all Scots Championsip sides, Welsh Cymru Premier sides, and some North Western French sides in the non-league FA Trophy.Or Celtic Nations Club Cup of Scottish, Welsh, Irish, Ulster, Cornish, Cumbria, Brittany, Isle of Man and Yorkshire club sides.

Perhaps leading Scottish, Irish, Swiss, Polish, Danish, Swedish, French, Dutch, Belgian or German sides invited as guests into the English FA Cup, or English League Cup, this could also be done in the English Football women's domestic cups.

I do not support merging the British leagues, as people would wrongly think Scotland was part of England. And all the Scottish trophies in history would be relegated to the status of lower tier trophies. While all the English trophies would be seen as forerunners of the British trophies. So Scottish clubs would be seen to be reset as having won ZERO trophies. Also 30 trips into England a year might be too much but 4 to 8 times a year would keep it a novelty and highlight of the season.We need Pan-Great Britain Cups on top of domestic and European football.If we had a British League a club like Dundee could make 20 trips year of up to 700 miles. That would be too tough. It has to be at a manageable number of games.

Joey Vimsante, North Wales, Great Britain.

[sportsscope1]

“Revolutionizing Football: The Blue Card Era – What You Need to Know”

In the ever-evolving world of football, a groundbreaking change is on the horizon as a potential new law shakes up the Premier League. Get ready for the introduction of the blue card, a game-changer that promises to transform the dynamics on the field. Let’s delve into the details and understand how this innovation could reshape the beautiful game.

Exploring the Blue Card Revolution: A Sin-Bin Trial: Elite-level football is at the forefront of change, with the consideration of sin bins to address player behavior. The blue card, set to be a pivotal element in this trial, will require players to exit the field for a 10-minute cool-off period. This move aims to crackdown on dissent and blatant tactical fouls, ushering in a new era of disciplinary measures.

Protocol Delay and Further Discussions:

Anticipation surrounds the release of trial protocols on sin-bins, initially expected on February 9 from the International Football Association Board (IFAB). However, these protocols are now subject to further discussion at IFAB’s annual general meeting at Loch Lomond on March 2 before being officially released. The delay adds to the suspense surrounding the potential impact of this rule change.

FA’s Openness to Trials in FA Cups and FIFA’s Clarification:

While the Football Association is open to trialing sin-bins in the men’s and women’s FA Cups next season, FIFA has clarified that such trials should be limited to ‘lower levels.’ The specific competitions for these trials are expected to be decided during IFAB’s AGM on March 1. This cautious approach underscores the need to carefully evaluate the impact of the blue card in diverse football contexts.

Read more....

[whatsonmedia]

Brace Yourself for a Sports Bonanza: From T20 Battles to Soccer

Get ready for a weekend where sporting spectacles collide like tectonic plates, delivering an earthquake of excitement! Buckle up, sports fans, because this week's calendar is overflowing with epic clashes and nail-biting action across cricket, football, basketball, and even the Women's FA Cup! Cricket's T20 Extravaganza: New Zealand and Pakistan lock horns in Christchurch for the final two T20Is of their thrilling series. Will the Black Caps regain their dominance, or will the Tigers roar to victory and claim the series? >New Zealand vs Pakistan (4th T20)০ Date :  Friday, 19 January 2024০ Time : 12:10 BDT০ Venue : Hagley Oval, Christchurch>New Zealand vs Pakistan (5th T20)০ Date : Sunday, 21 January 2024০ Time : 06:00 BDT০ Venue : Hagley Oval, Christchurch Future Stars Shine: The ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup heats up! Witness rising stars from South Africa, West Indies, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan battle it out for cricketing glory. >South Africa Under-19 vs West Indies Under-19 (Match 2)০ Date : Friday, 19 January 2024০ Time : 14:00০ Venue : JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom>Bangladesh Under-19 vs India Under-19 ( Match 3)০ Date : Saturday, 20 January 2024০ Time : 14:00০ Venue : Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein>Pakistan Under-19 vs Afghanistan Under-19 (Match 5)০ Date : Saturday, 20 January 2024০ Time : 14:00০ Venue : Buffalo Park, East London Serie A Scuffle: Italian giants AC Milan and Juventus go head-to-head in Serie A. Expect fierce tackles, dazzling footwork, and a passionate fight for supremacy. >AC Milan vs Udinese০ Date : Saturday, 19 January 2024০ Time : 19:45 GMT০ Venue : Bluenergy Stadium>Juventus vs Lecce০ Date : Sunday, 21 January 2024০ Time : 19:45 GMT০ Venue : Stadio Comunale Via del Mare Premier League Powerhouse Clashes: Arsenal host Crystal Palace in a London derby, while Liverpool travels to Bournemouth for a potential goal-fest. Can the Gunners maintain their momentum, and will the Reds rediscover their winning touch? >Arsenal vs C Palace০ Date : Saturday, 20 January 2024০ Time : 12:30 GMT০ Venue : Emirates Stadium>Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth০ Date : Sunday, 21 January 2024০ Time : 16:30 EST০ Venue : Vitality Stadium Queens of the Pitch: Don't miss the Women's FA Cup action! Leicester and Aston Villa, and Arsenal and Everton clash in what promises to be a display of grit and athleticism. LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Sam Kerr of Chelsea in action with Millie Turner and Maya Le Tissier of Manchester United during the Vitality Women's FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on May 14, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) >Leicester Women vs Aston Villa Women০ Date : Friday, 19 January 2024০ Time : 19:00 GMT০ Venue : Pirelli Stadium>Arsenal Women vs Everton Women০ Date : Saturday, 20 January 2024০ Time : 14:00 GMT০ Venue : Meadow Park Africa Cup of Nations: The prestigious Africa Cup of Nations continues with Senegal facing Cameroon and Tunisia taking on Mali. Buckle up for high-octane football and passionate displays of national pride. >Senegal vs Cameron ০ Date : Friday, 19 January 2024০ Time : 17:00 GMT০ Venue : Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro>Tunisia vs Mali০ Date : Saturday, 20 January 2024০ Time : 20:00 GMT০ Venue : Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium Basketball Buzzer Beaters: The NBA action sees the Knicks clash with the Wizards at Madison Square Garden, the Bulls lock horns with the Grizzlies, and the Magic take on the Heat. Prepare for electrifying dunks, three-pointers that swish through the net, and nail-biting finishes. >Knicks vs Wizards০ Date : Friday, 19 January 2024০ Time : 5:30 AM০ Venue : Madison Square Garden>Bulls vs Grizzles০ Date : Sunday, 21 January 2024০ Time : 7:00 AM০ Venue : United Center>Magic vs Heat০ Date : Monday, 2 January 2024০ Time: 5:00 AM০ Venue : Kia CenterSo, clear your schedules, gather your friends, and prepare to be swept away by this week's sporting spectacle! From the electrifying cricket clashes to the passionate football rivalries, this weekend promises to be a non-stop thrill ride for every sports fan. Let the games begin! Read the full article