Bradford City W.F.C.


Bradford City Women's Football Club is an English women's football club which represents the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire. Founded in 1988, they currently play in the following promotion from the Northern Combination Women's Football League in 2013.
The club also has a number of youth teams as well as a Reserve Team and an 'A' Team.

History

Early years

Founded in 1988 under the auspices of Bradford City's Football in the Community department, the club became founder members of the Yorkshire and Humberside League the following year. After success at local level, the club won promotion into the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division in 1996. The club earned a second successive promotion in 1996–97, into the top level of Women's football in England.
In 1997–98 the club avoided relegation and also reached the semi–final of the FA Women's Premier League Cup – losing on penalties to eventual winners Arsenal after a 2–2 draw. This was despite Arsenal's goalkeeper Sarah Reed being sent–off and defender Tina Mapes taking over in goal. City dropped out of the top division in 1998–99, and suffered a further relegation in 1999–00, into the Northern Combination Women's Football League.

Modern era

The club gained promotion back to the FA Women's Premier League ahead of the 2013/2014 season. In 2017/18 striker Laura Elford was among the WPL Northern top scorers. Only Leicester's Rosie Axten, and Middlesbrough's Emily Scarr scored more than Elford's 25 in all competitions.
PositionSeason 2017/18
8th WPL Northern
3rd Round Women's FA Cup
1st Round WPL Cup
Runners-up County Cup

Stadium

The club currently shares Eccleshill United's Mitton Group Stadium, having previously played home matches at Thackley FC's Dennyfield ground, Peel Park and the grounds of Bradford Park Avenue and Guiseley.

Current squad

Updated 8 July 2018

Player of the Year

YearWinner
2007 Alice Thackray
2008
2009 Caroline Cropp
2010 Whitney Taiwo
2011 Emma Dobson
2012 Abby Parkin
2013 Carrie Simpson

Captains

The following is a list of the officially appointed captains of the Bradford City WFC first-team.
NameNationYears
Dawn Lindley2006–2007
Becky Griggs2007–2009
Mel Garside-Wight2009–2010
Sarah Binns2010-2011
Bridie Hannon2011–
Harriet Jakeman2018–2019
Maisie Norde2019
Zoe Roberts2019-

Honours

The women's club wears the claret and amber kit of Bradford City. Although no formal affiliation exists with the men's club, there is a close relationship between the two clubs. In particular, the women's team were favoured as a natural exit route for players from Bradford City's girls Centre of Excellence before its closure. Recently, the clubs has both co–operated with sports charity One in a Million with its Junior Girls set-up.
In 2008 an exhibition on the women's team was staged at the bantamspast museum at Valley Parade, with the aim of forging closer links between the clubs.
The women's Under–16 section played at Wembley Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the 1996 Football League Second Division play-off Final.

Seasons

Key

ChampionsRunners-upPromotedRelegated

Division shown in bold when it changes due to promotion or relegation.
Top scorer shown in bold with when they set or equalled a club record.