Pompey Ladies

Portsmouth Football Club Ladies was officially founded in 1987, although a women’s team in the city can be traced all the way back to the 1930s.

 

The club began life in Southern Region League and since being founded has continued to go from strength to strength.

 

In 1998, Portsmouth Ladies gained promotion into the South West Combination League, a league they were to play in the next few seasons. In 2003, Portsmouth won the South West Combination League in style, dropping just two points in the process and entered the Women's Premier League Southern Division for the first time.

 

Portsmouth quickly became acquainted with their new surroundings, finishing second behind Chelsea within a couple of seasons of joining the league.

 

The next few seasons saw Portsmouth consolidate their position in the league, never finishing lower than fourth. In 2013, Portsmouth won the Women's Premier League Southern Division title with a 2-1 victory against Plymouth in the penultimate game of the season.

 

Some 25 years after the club was formed, the club entered a new chapter. After winning The FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division title at the end of the 2011/12 season, the first team secured promotion to the National Division for the first time in the club’s history. This season saw the Blues reach the Semi-Finals of the Premier League Cup before losing to eventual winners Aston Villa. At the end of the season, long standing manager Vanessa Raynbird stood down from a managerial capacity to take up a Director of Football role while Katie Poore and Perry Northeast became joint managers.

 

Following the reorganisation of women's football due to the expansion of the Women's Super League, Portsmouth found themselves back in the Premier League Southern Division for the 2013/14 season.

Many of the club’s players – at senior, under 18 and under 16 levels – have been selected on a regular basis to play for Hampshire in Competitive Representative Football.

 

Through the years it has established itself as a true community club, ensuring playing opportunities to women and girls of all ages.

 

Portsmouth FC Ladies was proud to become the first women’s club in Hampshire to receive The FA Charter Standard Award for Excellence in provision of coaching and support staff. It also gained the Adult Status in 2007.

 

Portsmouth FC Ladies also built a partnership with Portsmouth College to form a Ladies Football Academy. The Ladies Football Academy offers first class coaching opportunities, and is complementary to high quality academic or vocational courses