Burnley FC Girls and Ladies

History

Burnley FC Girls & Ladies was founded in 1995 by John Lister, just too late for hometown girl and former England international goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis to join as a child. The club initially consisted of 15 ladies, who trained in the old sports barn at Turf Moor and played their home games at the clubs training facility at Gawthorpe. Following the demise of the Lancashire League, the team joined the North West Women's Regional League, where it continues to play to this day.

The club established a strong junior set-up from the outset. An Under 10s side was formed by Grahame Meeks and Peter Cooper shortly after the First Team was founded. In 2016, with over 180 registered players, the club is one of the largest female only football clubs in the North West.

The junior set-up is open to players of all ages and abilities to encourage girls to take-up football. Of the clubs eight junior teams, six play in the West Lancashire Girls Football League, which was named Charter Standard League of the Year by the FA in 2013. For the 2016/17 Season the Under 10s and Under 13s teams will play in the North Valley and Burnley Unity Youth Football League.

In 2014, after signing for Manchester United 13 year-old player Naomi Hartley commented: “I am a Burnley fan and have a season ticket, but you can’t turn down the chance to play for Manchester United. Now my aim is to play for England.” In 2016, her dream came true when she made her debut for England Women's Under 16s against Germany and then captained the team for the last 25 minutes in a 2-1 win over Norway at St George's Park in December.

In recent years an increasing number of the clubs players have won scholarships to play 'soccer' in the North American college system. At the end of the 2014/15 Season Sophie Greenwood and Hannah Till signed to play for Indian Hills Community College in Iowa. Natalie Bell and Simone Keating headed to the States at the end of the 2015/16 Season to play for Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina and Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, Oklahoma respectively, whilst First Team defender Taylor Gregson took up a coaching opportunity in New Jersey.

2014/15 Season

A new management structure brought about changes off the field. On it, the clubs two open age teams experienced successful seasons. The First Team finished fourth in the North West Women's Regional League Premier Division, whilst the newly formed Senior Development Squad finished as runners-up in the Lancashire County Football Association Division 2, securing promotion in their first full season under the guidance of Manager Aidy Lamb.

2015/16 Season

This was the club's 20th Anniversary Season of playing competitive football. The First Team started their Premier League campaign strongly, but faded towards the end of the season and promotion eluded them for another year. The Senior Development Squad more than held their own in the top division of county football.

There was considerable success in the junior ranks. In the West Lancashire Girls Football League, the Under 10s completed the league and cup double for the second consecutive season; the Under 15s won the North Valley & Burnley Unity Youth Football League at the first time of asking and the Under 16s defeated local rivals Blackburn in the final of the County Cup.

2016/17 Season

At the start of the 2016/17 Season the club embarked on a new chapter in its history; strengthening its links with Burnley F.C., by joining forces with its nominated charity Burnley FC in the Community. Matt Bee was appointed as the first full-time Female Football Development Officer and is responsible for overseeing development throughout the club. He also took on the role of First Team Manager.

Club Management

First Team Players

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