Tottenham Hotspur Women
Full nameTottenham Hotspur Football Club Women
Nickname(s)The Lilywhites
Short nameSpurs
Founded1985; 39 years ago (1985) as Broxbourne Ladies
GroundBrisbane Road
Capacity9,271
OwnerENIC International Ltd. (85.55%)
ChairmanJune Clarke
Head coachRobert Vilahamn
LeagueWomen's Super League
2022–23WSL, 9th of 12
WebsiteClub website
Current season

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club Women, commonly referred to as Tottenham (/ˈtɒtənəm/)[1][2] or Spurs, is an English women's football club affiliated with Tottenham Hotspur. The club currently plays in the Women's Super League (WSL), the top flight of women's football in England. The club gained promotion for the WSL after finishing second in the 2018–19 FA Women's Championship.[3][4]

Tottenham Hotspur plays its home games at Brisbane Road in Leyton, and occasionally at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.[5] The club has been training full-time at Hotspur Way since 2020.

The club has won twelve titles, the most recent being the overall FA Women's Premier League in the 2016–17 season.

History

Early years and amateur era (1985–2017)

In 1985, the club was founded as Broxbourne Ladies by Sue Sharples and Kay Lovelock, following the folding of East Herts College.[6] Permission was obtained to change the club's name to Tottenham Hotspur Ladies F.C. in the 1991–92 season.[6] The reserve team started in 1992–93.[6] In the 1996–97 season, the club's teams started playing in the national division.[6] In the 2015–16 season, the club completed a historic double as they won the Ryman's Women's Cup and the FA Women's Premier League Cup.[7] In the same season they finished runners up in the Capital Cup nearly completing a cup treble.[8] The following season was the team's most successful, claiming the quadruple including winning promotion to the WSL 2.[9]

Promotion campaigns (2017–2019)

At the start of the 2017–18 campaign, the club made high-profile signings such as former England U20 midfielder Coral-Jade Haines and Wales international forward Sarah Wiltshire. The season saw the team claim their first ever victory over a top flight side, beating Bristol City in their FA Women's League Cup matchup.[10] The club finished their first season in a professional league in seventh place out of ten sides. In March 2018 it was confirmed that the club would apply to remain in the newly re-branded Women's Championship and would compete in the upcoming season.[11] There were several moves in made the lead up to their first season in the newly reformed Championship, this included the return of Welsh international Megan Wynne who played on loan for the club in 2015[12] as well as the departure of long time players Katie O’Leary and Shannon Moloney who played for the side for five and seven years respectively.[13] The club announced on 26 April 2019, that the team would be renamed to Tottenham Hotspur Women starting with the next season as well as the appointment of Heather Cowan as Head of Women's Football.[14] After a 1–1 draw with Aston Villa on 1 May 2019, Spurs secured a promotion spot to the FA Women's Super League for the first time in their history.[15] Their licence for the top flight was officially confirmed on 10 May 2019.[16]

Women's Super League and professionalisation (2019–present)

On 17 November 2019, the North London derby against Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium recorded an attendance figure of 38,262, the highest ever for a Women's Super League match at the time.[17][18]

In the 2020 summer transfer window Spurs reinforced their squad with a mix of players with WSL and NWSL experience.[19] On 12 September, 2020, United States women's national team forward Alex Morgan signed with Spurs on a contract that reportedly ran from September through December 2020, with an option to extend the deal through the end of the 2020–21 FA WSL season.[20][21] Still trying to regain fitness having not played since August 2019 and giving birth in May 2020,[22] Morgan eventually made her Spurs debut nearly two months after signing, on 7 November, appearing as a 69th minute substitute in a 1–1 WSL draw against Reading.[23] Spurs had started the season winless in their first seven matches, just one spot above last place and relegation. Due to this form, Rehanne Skinner was appointed as the new head coach of Tottenham on 19 November 2020, replacing long time managers Karen Hills and Juan Amorós.[24][25] Hills had been in charge of the first team since August 2009 while Spurs were playing in the then-third tier South East Combination Women's Football League and Amoros joined the club soon after in February 2011.[26] On 6 December 2020 in Skinner's first match in charge, Spurs took their first league win of the season with a 3–1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.[27] The match also featured Morgan's first goal for the club, an 84th-minute penalty.[28] On 21 December, Tottenham Hotspur announced that Morgan would end her contract with the club and return to the US.[29] Spurs would finish the season in 8th place, well clear of relegation and just a place under their initial WSL finish in the 2019–20 FA WSL season.

Skinner's first full season in charge of Spurs would see the team reach new heights and accomplish team firsts. Spurs' second match of the 2021–22 season on 12 September saw them beat Manchester City for the first time in team history. The defeat was City's first at home in the WSL since April 2018.[30] The win resulted in Spurs taking points from any member of the "top four," the other three sides being Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United.[31] That November Spurs would take their first ever point from Manchester United and Arsenal after drawing 1–1 against both sides in consecutive matches.[32] [33] Spurs had not taken any points against United since the teams first faced off in the 2018–19 FA Women's Championship season. Spurs' League Cup campaign saw them advance out of the group stage for the first time. Spurs would beat Liverpool in the quarter-finals to advance to their first ever semi-final in any major cup competition, but would bow out after a loss to eventual champions Manchester City.[34] Spurs finished the season in 5th place, their highest ever WSL finish in club history. Following the end of the season Spurs confirmed the departures of Rachel Williams, Angela Addison, and Josie Green. The trio had each joined the club at a different level of the pyramid, Williams in the first division WSL, Addison in the second division Championship, and former captain Green was the last player who featured in the third division, joining the team ahead of Spurs' quadruple and promotion winning 2016–17 FA Women's Premier League season.[35]

On 4 January 2023, Tottenham Hotspur broke the WSL record for highest transfer fee paid when England international, Bethany England, arrived from Chelsea on a contract until June 2026.[36] On 7 July 2023, the club appointed Robert Vilahamn as head coach of Tottenham Hotspur.[37]

Kit

Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor (chest) Shirt sponsor (sleeve)
1985–1991 None None None
1991–1995 Umbro Holsten
1995–1999 Pony HP
1999–2002 Adidas Holsten
2002–2006 Kappa Thomson Holidays
2006–2010 Puma Mansion.com Casino & Poker
2010–2011 Autonomy Corporation
2011–2012 Aurasma
2012–2013 Under Armour
2013–2014 HP
2014–2017 AIA[38]
2017–2021 Nike[39]
2021–present Cinch[40]

Stadium

Tottenham Hotspur Ladies moved home grounds to Cheshunt in 2016,[41] moving from Barrows Farm Stadium, the home of Harlow Town F.C.[42] However, the alternative first team stadium stayed the same, as Goffs Lane.[43] On 5 June 2019, the club announced that their 2019–20 season home matches will be played at The Hive Stadium.[44] On 6 June 2022, the club announced that their 2022–23 season home matches would be played at Brisbane Road.[45]

The women's team have had matches at both White Hart Lane and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Their final match at White Hart Lane on 19 April 2017 saw them win the FA Women's Premier League South title against rivals West Ham United Ladies.[46]

Training ground

The women's team began training full-time at Hotspur Way, the club's main facilities, in December 2020. The women's team had previously trained there once a week, with the rest of the time spent at The Hive Stadium.[47]

Social responsibility

Tottenham Hotspur Women work closely with the Tottenham Hotspur men's first team, such as when supporting CoppaFeel!, a breast cancer awareness charity,[48][49] and when promoting the Stonewall (charity) Rainbow Laces campaign.[50]

Players

Tottenham Hotspur players lining up for a team photo prior to a match against Liverpool in September 2019

Current squad

As of 31 January 2024[51]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Czech Republic CZE Barbora Votíková
2 DF Australia AUS Charlotte Grant
4 DF England ENG Amy Turner
5 DF England ENG Molly Bartrip (vice-captain)
6 DF Sweden SWE Amanda Nildén (on loan from Juventus)
7 FW England ENG Jessica Naz
8 MF England ENG Grace Clinton (on loan from Manchester United)
9 FW England ENG Bethany England (captain)
10 FW England ENG Ellie Brazil
11 MF Germany GER Ramona Petzelberger
13 FW Sweden SWE Matilda Vinberg
No. Pos. Nation Player
14 FW Norway NOR Celin Bizet Ildhusøy
16 FW England ENG Kit Graham
17 FW Scotland SCO Martha Thomas
20 MF Finland FIN Olga Ahtinen (vice-captain)
21 DF Switzerland SUI Luana Bühler
22 GK Jamaica JAM Rebecca Spencer
23 FW Morocco MAR Rosella Ayane
24 MF Jamaica JAM Drew Spence
25 MF Finland FIN Eveliina Summanen
27 GK England ENG Eleanor Heeps
29 DF England ENG Ashleigh Neville
77 MF China CHN Wang Shuang

Out on loan

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
3 DF Canada CAN Shelina Zadorsky (at West Ham United until 30 June 2024)
12 MF New Zealand NZL Ria Percival (at Crystal Palace until 30 June 2024)
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 DF England ENG Asmita Ale (at Leicester City until 30 June 2024)
26 DF England ENG Gracie Pearse (at Charlton Athletic until 30 June 2024)
— FW Poland POL Nikola Karczewska (at Bayer Leverkusen until 30 June 2024)

Former players

For details of current and former players, see Category:Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Women players.

Academy

Tottenham Hotspur Women also run a football academy in partnership with Barnet and Southgate College for girls aged 16–19.[52][53]

WSL Academy is an U21s team which plays in the WSL Academy fixtures North & South and acts as a pathway to the First Team for those talented players.

Coaching and support staff

As of 4 August 2023

Position Name
Head coach Sweden Robert Vilahamn
Assistant coach England Vicky Jepson
Goalkeeping coach England Perry Suckling
Transitional coach England Anton Blackwood

Head coaching history

Name From Until Duration
England Karen Hills[a] 16 August 2009 19 November 2020 11 years, 95 days
Spain Juan Carlos Amorós[a] 15 February 2011 19 November 2020 9 years, 278 days
England Rehanne Skinner 19 November 2020 13 March 2023 2 years, 114 days
England Vicky Jepson (interim) 13 March 2023 7 July 2023 116 days
Sweden Robert Vilahamn 7 July 2023 — 273 days

Notes:

a Part of a joint head coaching team

List of Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Women seasons

Key

Key to league competitions:

Seasons

Season League[54][55][56] FA Cup League Cup International / Other[57] Top goalscorer(s)
Division Pld W D L GF GA Pts Pos Player(s) Goals
1991–92 Middlesex Country Cup RU
1992–93
1993–94
1994–95 Greater London Prem 2nd
1995–96 Greater London Prem 2nd Greater London League Cup W
1996–97 Greater London Prem 2nd
1997–98 ↑ Greater London D1 1st
1998–99 Greater London League Cup RU
1999–2000
2000–01 Greater London Prem 2nd
2001–02
2002–03
2003–04 Greater London League Cup RU
2004–05
2005–06 London & South East League 22 4 9 9 21 8th QR1
2006–07 London & South East League 20 3 5 12 14 9th PRL
2007–08 ↑ London & South East League 20 14 2 4 44 1st QR2
2008–09 South East Comb League R2
2009–10 South East Comb League R1
2010–11 ↑ South East Comb League 1st R2
2011–12 Prem South 18 6 4 8 28 29 22 6th R3 London County Senior Cup W
FA Women's Premier League Cup GS
2012–13 Prem South 17 4 4 9 22 33 16 8th R3 FA Women's Premier League Cup GS
2013–14 Prem South 20 6 4 10 22 8th R2 FA Women's Premier League Cup GS
Ryman Women's Cup RU
2014–15 Prem South 22 12 3 7 39 5th R5 FA Women's Premier League Cup R1
2015–16 Prem South 20 15 1 4 44 27 46 6th R4 Ryman Women's Cup W
2016–17 ↑ Prem South 20 17 1 2 58 13 52 1st[a] R5 FA Women's Premier League Cup W
Ryman Women's Cup W
Capital Women's Cup RU
2017–18 WSL 2 20 15 1 4 44 27 46 7th R4 GS
2018–19 ↑ Champ 20 17 1 2 58 13 52 2nd R5 GS
2019–20 WSL 15 6 2 7 15 24 20 7th QF GS Rianna Dean 10
2020–21 WSL 22 5 5 12 18 41 20 8th QF GS Angela Addison
Alanna Kennedy 		3
2021–22 WSL 22 9 5 8 24 23 32 5th R4 SF Angela Addison
Rachel Williams 		6
2022–23 WSL 22 5 3 14 31 47 18 9th R5 QF Bethany England 13

Honours

First team

2016–17 First Team with the FA WPL Championship play-off trophy
2016–17 First Team with the FA WPL Southern Division league trophy

Reserves

2016–17 Reserve Team with the FA WPL Reserve Southern Division league trophy

Youth

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ Promoted via play-offs.

References

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External links

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