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Middlesbrough

Full name	Middlesbrough Football Club Women
Nickname(s)	Boro
Short name	MFCW
Founded	1976; 48 years ago (1976)
Ground	Bishopton Road West Riverside Stadium
Capacity	1,800 (200 seated) Bishopton Road West
Chairman	Steve Gibson
Manager	Michael Mulhern
League	FA Women's National League Division One North
2023–24	FA Women's National League Division One North, 2nd of 12
Website	https://www.mfc.co.uk
Home colours Away colours
Current season

Middlesbrough Football Club Women (/ˈmɪdəlzbrə/ 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 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.

Kits

Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

Stadium

During the 2000s, Middlesbrough played their home games at Central Avenue, Billingham Synthonia, before moving to Teesdale Park, Thornaby Football Club, in 2010. In July 2018, the club moved to Bedford Terrace, Billingham Town.

Since June 2022, Middlesbrough have played their home games at Bishopton Road West, Stockton Town. The stadium underwent a £1 million redevelopment in 2015, and now includes modern facilities and a 3G pitch. With affiliation into Middlesbrough Football Club in 2023, the team have select matches at the Riverside Stadium.

Players

Current squad

As of 15 December 2024.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  ENG Laura Wareham 2 DF  ENG Jane Harland 3 DF  ENG Keira Skelton 4 MF  ENG Bethany Guy 5 DF  ENG Ellen Packham 6 DF  ENG Abby Towers 7 FW  ENG Ellen Turnbull 8 FW  ENG Jessica Mett 9 FW  ENG Armani Maxwell 10 MF  ENG Lauren Robson 11 MF  ENG Leanna Giles 13 GK  ENG Ruby Cook

No. Pos. Nation Player 14 DF  ENG Emma Foster 15 MF  ENG Sharna Wilkinson 16 MF  ENG Francesca Ward 17 DF  ENG Millie Bell 18 MF  ENG Sarah Burn (captain) 19 FW  ENG Becky Ferguson (on loan from Newcastle United) 21 FW  ENG Faye Dale 22 DF  ENG Grace Boyes 23 MF  ENG Chelsea Callander (dual registration with Manchester City) 24 DF  ENG Ruby Forster 25 FW  ENG Maddie Myers 26 DF  ENG Darcie Sugden-Brook

Reserves

Middlesbrough operate a reserve team who compete in the FA Women's National League Reserve Northern Division, and play home games at Middlesbrough College. The club also operate a development team, who play in the North Riding Women's Premier League.

Former players

Club staff

As of 18 July 2024.

Executive Members Role Person Chair of club Steve Gibson General manager Ben Fisher Management & Backroom Staff Role Person First Team Manager Michael Mulhern Assistant Manager Joe Lillie Goalkeeping Coach Iain Longstaff Fitness Coach Lee Phoenix Lead Physiotherapist Sarah Stones Performance Analyst Jason Elgie Under-23's Manager Matt Gatiss Under-16's Manager Ben Fisher

Managerial history

Dates	Name
1996–2012	Marrie Wieczorek
2012–2013	Gemma Grainger
2013–2014	Samantha Leigh
2014–2018	Lindsey Stephenson
2018	Kelsey Byrne
2018–2021	Steph Fairless
2021–2023	Andy Campbell
2023–	Michael Mulhern

Honours

League

• Northern Combination Football League (level 3)
  • Champions: 2001–02
• FA National League Division One North (level 4)
  • Champions: 2015–16

See also

• Durham W.F.C.
• Newcastle United W.F.C.
• Sunderland A.F.C. Women

References

1. "Middlesbrough Women F.C." Middlesbrough Women F.C. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
2. "Club". Middlesbrough Women F.C. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
3. "Internationals on show at league cup final". Long Eaton Advertiser. 27 April 1978. Retrieved 22 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
4. "Marrie Wieczorek joy as Team GB women make history". GazetteLive. 18 July 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
5. "History of the Woman's FA Cup Final". The Football Association. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
6. "Ladies on the ball". East Cleveland Herald & Post. 29 September 1993. Retrieved 22 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
7. "Northern Combination – 2001/02 season". Northern Combination Football League. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
8. "Boro ladies target promotion". GazetteLive. 27 August 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
9. "Middlesbrough Ladies footballers back from North Korea". BBC. 24 September 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
10. "Middlesbrough Ladies' team packed with young talent". GazetteLive. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
11. "MFC Ladies Sammie Leigh". Middlesbrough Women F.C. Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
12. "MFC Ladies". Middlesbrough Football Club. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
13. "Chairman and First Team Manager: Lindsey Stephenson". Middlesbrough Women F.C. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
14. "FA Women's Premier League: Northern Division One 2014/15". The Football Association. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
15. "Title 'Means the World' to Boro". SheKicks. 16 April 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
16. "Middlesbrough Women aim to make it back-to-back wins against Burton in the cup". GazetteLive. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
17. @BoroWomen (3 June 2017). "New season. New badge. New memories" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
18. "Club Statement: Fisher takes over Middlesbrough Women FC". Middlesbrough Women F.C. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
19. "Marrie Becomes Football Welcomes Women's Ambassador". MFC Foundation. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
20. "Good Luck to Middlesbrough Women FC In FAWNL Plate Semi-Final". Middlesbrough Football Club. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
21. "Boro Women Announce Andy Campbell As Manager". Middlesbrough Football Club. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
22. "Women Preview: Burnley vs. Middlesbrough". Burnley Football Club. Archived from the original on 9 May 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
23. "Club Welcomes Middlesbrough FC Women". Middlesbrough Football Club. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
24. "Match Review: Boro Women 0 Stockport County 0". Middlesbrough Football Club. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
25. "Middlesbrough Ladies Football Club - 2013/2014 Club Sponsor - Wells Solutions". Middlesbrough Women F.C. Archived from the original on 28 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
26. "NEWS: New Home Shirt Sponsor". Middlesbrough Women F.C. Archived from the original on 6 October 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
27. @BoroWomen (2 November 2017). "Congratulations to our home shirt sponsor Northern Coffee Co on the official opening" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
28. "Middlesbrough Women FC announce new first-team sponsorship with TSL". Middlesbrough Women F.C. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
29. @BoroWomen (8 August 2022). "Middlesbrough Women FC are excited to announce MAP Group UK Ltd will continue to be our first team sponsor for the 2022/23 season" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
30. "Durata Are The New Premium Partner Of MFC Women". Middlesbrough Football Club. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
31. "Middlesbrough Ladies Football Club". Middlesbrough Women F.C. Archived from the original on 23 March 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
32. "Middlesbrough Women announce new Billingham Town base". SheKicks. 31 July 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
33. "Home Ground Announcement". Middlesbrough Women F.C. Archived from the original on 31 October 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
34. "New £1m facility in Stockton provides 'best sporting facilities outside pro football in the North-east'". GazetteLive. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
35. ^ "Teams – Women's". Middlesbrough Football Club. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
36. "Middlesbrough Women Reserves". Middlesbrough Women F.C. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
37. "Middlesbrough Women Development". Middlesbrough Women F.C. Retrieved 8 January 2023.

External links

• Official website

54°36′7.780″N 1°17′8.452″W / 54.60216111°N 1.28568111°W / 54.60216111; -1.28568111

• Middlesbrough F.C.
• Women's football clubs in England
• Football clubs in North Yorkshire
• Association football clubs established in 1976
• 1976 establishments in England
• FA Women's National League teams