West Ham United F.C. Women

West Ham United is one of the football royalties in England. The Women’s club is not as rich in history or following but is affiliated with one of the best fan bases in the world. West Ham United F.C. Women is a club that is only 16 years old but has climbed their way up through the ranks. The Women currently sit in 7th place in the FA Women’s Super League 1. The team seems poised to remain in the top-tier and avoid relegation.

History

The team had a short-lived stint in the 1970s and were reborn in 1991. This team was created when an officer of Football in the Community, Roger Morgan suggested the forming of a present a ladies’ section of the club. It took a while to get the team together but in March 1992 the team held its first scrimmage. The team started in the Greater London Regional Women’s Football League Division 4. Next season they earned a 3rd place finish for promotion to Division Two and another 3rd place took them to Division 1.

1998-1999 brought with it an appearance in the Russell Cup and more importantly a 2nd place finish in the league. This result was enough to secure the team a promotion into the Greater London League Premier Division. They had a stellar year finishing in second place behind Fulham and then next year followed that with an even better first place finish.

Greater London League Premier League campaign this time had “The Hammers” winning the promotion playoff to start the 2002-03 season in the South East Combination League. Their first year there they finished in the 4th finish. One year later they claimed the runner up spot, and in 2004-05 they won the title for the first time in the final game of the league.

Recent Accomplishments

Within 13 seasons of West Ham United Ladies being created, the club reached the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division and finished in 6th place in their first season. The season that followed was anything if not shaky and a turn of luck was the only reason the ladies avoided relegation.

2007-08 season saw a change in management and coaching. The team depended on the youth academies players who had risen up through the ranks and brought along a big rebuild for The Hammers. The following year upgrades continued and the club finished in third-place which was the highest in club history. 2009-2010 season brought a drop to a 5th place finish.

2016 saw a major shakeup for the team as the West Ham Ladies were absorbed by the main team following some controversy. 2017 brought major changes to the team as the second half of the season saw the ladies go 11-1.

On May 2018 the West Ham Ladies were accepted to join the FA WSL, the top-tier of English football. Name change from West Ham Ladies to West Ham United Women followed the promotion.

Current Roster & Staff

The team has a squad of 20 players from 11 different countries. West Ham United is the only team to roster so many international players. Team Captain Gilly Flaherty is one of the more experienced defenders in English football. The top scorer for the team is the forward and vice-captain Jane Ross.

Managing Director Jack Sullivan and General Manager Russ Fraser lead the team. The coaching staff consists of Head coach Matt Beard and his Assistant Paul McHugh.

Stadium & Kits

The home ground for the West Ham United FC Women is Rush Green Stadium. Rush Green Stadium is in the West Ham United Training Grounds in Romford, London. The team is sponsored by the online sportsbook and casino Betway.

The women of West Ham United play with three jerseys. One for home that is the classic colors of the Men’s team. The away jersey is a dark blue jersey with yellow socks while the third alternative is a white-based jersey.