Blackburn Rovers W.F.C.

History

Early days

The ladies' club was formed in 1991 as part of Blackburn Rovers' community programme, and reached the Northern Combination Women's Football League in 1998. After a few years in mid-table, the club began to take off in 2002. They moved into their parent club's lavish training facility at Brockhall Village, In 2003–04 Rovers won the Northern Combination by winning every match, and also added the Lancashire County Cup. The following season they finished a creditable third in the Premier League Northern Division.

Prior to the 2005–06 campaign, Rovers signed England Under-21 players Kay Hawke from Curzon Ashton and Lynda Shepherd from Stockport County. The club then won the league by finishing undefeated, with a record 20 wins from 22 games.

Women's Premier League National Division

For the club's first season at the top-level, Rovers arranged to play their home games at Clitheroe FC's Shawbridge ground. The squad was strengthened with the signing of Leeds United full-back Mel Cook and England striker Amanda Barr, from Charlton Athletic.

In October 2006, the club lost 6–3 to Chelsea in the Premier League Cup amidst farcical scenes. The controversial performance of the 20-year-old referee saw him leave Shawbridge under police escort, while Andy McNally was sent-off and subsequently banned for a month by the FA for foul and abusive language. Despite several senior players demanding his return, McNally was suspended by his employers Blackburn Rovers before being replaced by Adam Lakeland in January 2007.

Although Amanda Barr also departed in January, to Leeds United, Blackburn rallied to finish in the top half of the table and reach the semi-final of the FA Women's Cup, where they lost 0–1 to Charlton Athletic. 34-goal striker Katie Anderton and goalkeeper Kay Hawke were both selected for the England squad at the end of the 2006–07 season. However, neither made the final 2007 World Cup squad. Anderton spent the summer playing in the United States, for FC Indiana.

Kay Hawke and Mel Cook signed for Lincoln City in August 2007, while former captain Anisha Bateman joined Preston North End. Lincoln goalkeeper Nicola Hobbs arrived as a replacement for Hawke. Natalie Preston was signed from Leeds United and captained the side in pre-season. A poor second half of the season saw Rovers finish eighth in 2007–08, while they were ejected from the FA Women's Cup by Lincoln at the quarter-final stage.

2008–09 proved no better as Rovers finished ninth and suffered a humiliating County Cup final defeat to Combination League Rochdale. In the summer of 2009, Rovers quit Shawbridge, citing the condition of the pitch as a contributing factor in their poor form. The club relocated to Stainton Park, the home of Radcliffe Borough FC, for the 2009–10 season, in which they finished seventh-placed in the Premier League National Division.

Super League

In January 2010, Blackburn and Watford were the only top-flight clubs who failed to apply for membership of the new FA Women's Super League. Blackburn had declined to submit an application due to their reluctance to separate from the men’s club. The club’s decision ultimately meant they would be playing in the level below the following season, which saw an exodus of the club’s top players, with Amy Kane and Danielle Hill returning to Everton, while Lynda Shepherd signed for Liverpool. Katie Anderton signed a Super League contract for Doncaster Rovers Belles but remained with Blackburn until the end of the season.

Although Blackburn intended to introduce young players to their squad, they also remained active in the transfer market. Defender Charlotte Farrell and Northern Irish international midfielder Kim Turner arrived from Manchester City and versatile Amanda Goodwin signed from Curzon Ashton. In April 2011, the club parted company with Adam Lakeland, shortly before theirrelegation into the Premier League Northern Division was confirmed.

Players

Current squad

Former players

Senior staff

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Honours

• FA Women's National League North (tier 2): 2005–06; (tier 3): 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19
• Northern Combination Women's Football League (tier 3): 2003–04
• FA Women's National League play-off (tier 3): 2018–19
• FA Women's National League Cup (tiers 3 and 4): 2017–18, 2018–19
• Lancashire FA Women's Challenge Cup: 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–2007, 2007–2008, 2009–2010, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19

References

References

1. (20 June 2023). "A new era starts now".
2. "Blackburn's women relegated after decision to snub Super League {{!}} Women's football {{!}} The Guardian".
3. FC, Blackburn Rovers. (2025-06-04). "Club Update – Blackburn Rovers Women".
4. (7 September 2010). "Blackburn Rovers Ladies – History". Blackburn Rovers F.C..
5. "Blackburn Rovers Ladies FC 2008–09 Season". Football-England.com.
6. Paula Cocozza. (16 January 2006). "Future's bright for Rovers". The Guardian.
7. (27 May 2005). "Kay Hawke signs for Blackburn Rovers". femaleSOCCER.net.
8. Tony Leighton. (27 November 2006). "Rovers facing McNally revolt". The Guardian.
9. (4 October 2006). "Barr named new captain". Blackburn Rovers F.C..
10. (13 October 2006). "LADIES' CUP CRASH". Blackburn Rovers F.C..
11. Tony Leighton. (27 November 2006). "Referee needs police protection". The Guardian.
12. (24 October 2007). "Lakeland runs rule over new arrivals". Clitheroe Advertiser.
13. (17 June 2008). "Lakeland looking for more consistent campaign". Blackburn Rovers F.C..
14. (7 October 2008). "Lakeland anger as four sent off for Blackburn Ladies". Lancashire Telegraph.
15. Andy Cryer. (4 June 2009). "Major cash blow for Clitheroe FC". Clitheroe Advertiser.
16. (7 January 2010). "Super League's Sixteen Applicants". Shekicks.
17. (20 January 2010). "Rovers decide against Super League". Blackburn Rovers.
18. (26 August 2010). "Andrea Worrall/Manchester City LFC". She Kicks.
19. (4 October 2010). "Rovers recruit Goodwin". Blackburn Rovers.
20. (3 May 2011). "Draw not enough for Ladies". Blackburn Rovers.
21. "Blackburn Rovers Team".