Chairperson Jenny Wilkes Founded 1975 | Ground Keys Park Coach Tim Dudding | |
Full name Wolverhampton Wanderers Women's F.C. 2015-16 FA Women's Premier League Midlands Division One, 2nd Nickname(s) Wolves, She-Wolves, "Wolfettes" League FA Women's Premier League Midlands Division One | ||
Wolverhampton Wanderers Women's Football Club is an English women's football club affiliated with Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.. The club currently play in the FA Women's Premier League Midlands Division One, after being relegated from the Northern Division in 2014-15.
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History
The club began playing in 1975 as Heathfield Rovers. After becoming Wolverhampton & Wednesbury Tube LFC the following season, they later settled on Wolverhampton Ladies. Just before 1993–94 the club got permission from Wolverhampton Wanderers to call themselves Wolverhampton Wanderers Women's Football Club and they were promoted to the FA Women's Premier League National Division that season. However, after two seasons they were relegated back to the Northern Division. Rachel Unitt came through the club's youth system and scored 12 goals in 1999-00 before signing for Everton the following season.
In May 2001 Dennis Mortimer was appointed manager. He challenged for promotion in his three seasons in charge but left in 2004, citing work commitments. In 2004–05 Wolves Women were runners-up to Sunderland but star players Emily Westwood and Amy McCann left for Everton during the summer and the club finished sixth in 2005–06.
Wolves Women were relegated to the Midland Combination after finishing 11th in 2006–07. In May 2008 the club was boosted by full affiliation with Wolverhampton Wanderers and a partnership with Wolverhampton College.
On Thursday 19 April 2012 Wolves Women won the Midland Combination Title gaining promotion back to the Northern Division for the 2012–13 Season. They followed that up with a 2-0 win over rivals Stoke in the League Cup Final to complete the League and cup double.
The 2014-15 season for Wolves Women was one to forget. They saw themselves relegated and bottom of the Northern Division. Wolves only managed 8 points from 22 games, and this saw a change in coaching staff at the end of the season.
At the start of the 2015-16 season, Steve Cullis was named manager and has been given the aim of promotion back into the Northern Division, as well as developing the youth section of the club. Wolves also withdrew their reserve team from the FA Women's Premier League Reserves (Midlands), the reserves had been playing in the WPL for the past 13 seasons.
In October 2016, Cullis moved to a new role of Technical Director for the clubs's Regional Talent Centre. Tim Dudding was named as his replacement as manager of the Senior squad.
Stadium
Wolves Women play at Keys Park in Hednesford, Cannock, the home of Hednesford Town FC.
First team squad
As of 5 December 2016Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Regional Talent Club
Wolves Girls Regional Talent Club is a Tier 3 Facility responsible for the delivery of elite girls’ football development that commenced operations in June 2016. The Regional Talent Club’s Technical Director is Steve Cullis.
Other teams
Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-18s compete in the Central Warwickshire Girls Football League Premier Division. Home games are played at Darlaston Town (1874) FC's Bentley Leisure Pavilions Ground.
Notable former players
Former Wolves players to have played at senior international level.