Brighton & Hove Albion W.F.C.

History

The club was originally founded in 1967 as Brighton GPO. This team was created by workers at the Post Office's telephone exchange. They were one of the founding six members of the Sussex Martlet Women's League in 1969 - which has now transitioned into the South East Counties Women's Football League, and in that same year, the Women's Football Association was founded.

The club reached the semi-final of the FA Women's Cup in 1975–76. In 1990 they linked up with the men's club and became founder members of the Premier League in 1991–92, in Division 1 South.

Before the club sold the ground, the club played three matches at the Goldstone Ground, the old home of Brighton's men's side, against Milton Keynes, Horsham and Whitehawk.

In 2015, the club set a five-year plan to reach the FA WSL 1 and UEFA Women's Champions League qualification. That season they missed promotion to the FA WSL 2 though by finishing runners-up to Portsmouth. In 2015–16 they won the Southern Division and the following play-off against Northern Champions Sporting Club Albion. Following the play-off victory, their promotion to the FA WSL 2 was confirmed.

The team joined the FA WSL 1, the top tier of women's football in England, for the 2018–19 season having had their application to join the restructured league approved. During the day of the announcement of the promotion, the club also revealed they would relocate to Crawley Town's Broadfield Stadium for first team matches.

Women's Super League (2018–present)

Albion's first season in the Women's Super League saw them finish ninth in what was then an 11 team league, finishing 19 points clear of relegated Yeovil Town. Hope Powell's team secured four wins from their 20 league matches, while Ellie Brazil finished as top scorer with four goals. Their first WSL win came in a 2–1 home win over Yeovil Town, with Jodie Brett and Victoria Williams getting on the scoresheet.[[File:London Bees v Brighton & Hove Albion WFC, 18 April 2018 (02).jpg|thumb|Brighton & Hove Albion team in April 2018]]The 2019/20 season was curtailed with four games left to play due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with Albion again finishing in ninth place in the WSL. Aileen Whelan finished as top scorer that campaign with five league goals, while Albion drew in their second league game of the season against Chelsea - just one of three sides who took a point off the eventual champions.

Powell would lead her side to their highest placed finish in the WSL in the 2020/21 season, finishing in sixth place. An opening day victory against Birmingham City marked one of just two victories Albion enjoyed in the league until February, before going on run that saw them win six of their last nine matches. That included a 2–1 victory over Chelsea, that ended their run of 33 matches unbeaten in league football. Summer signing Inessa Kaagman finished as top scorer with nine goals in all competitions, as they also recorded notable victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

Managerial history

Former players

For details of current and former players with a Wikipedia article, see :Category:Brighton & Hove Albion W.F.C. players.

Players and staff

Current squad

Out on loan

Under-19s

The list shows players who played or were named in a senior matchday squad, in all competitions, for the 2025–26 season.

Coaching staff

References

References

1. "Brighton & Hove Albion Women Football Club".
2. "Administrator: June Jaycocks".
3. Club, Brighton & Hove Albion Women Football. "Brighton & Hove Albion Women Football Club {{!}} Biography & Wiki {{!}} VAVEL International".
4. (2015-04-30). "Brighton & Hove Albion WFC's five-year Champions League plan". BBC Sport.
5. "NEWS Archives".
6. (2 June 2016). "Brighton & Hove Albion Women promotion to Women's Super League approved". BBC News.
7. (2 June 2016). "ALBION ACHIEVE TIER ONE STATUS". BBC News.
8. (8 January 2012). "Women: Albion 4-0 Tottenham".
9. (4 February 2013). "Women: Reading 4-2 Brighton".
10. (10 June 2014). "WOMEN: DONOGHUE LEAVES ALBION". Brighton & Hove Albion - The Official Club of The Seagulls.
11. (25 November 2013). "Women: Albion 5-0 Chesham". Brighton and Hove Albion - The Official Club website of The Seagulls.
12. (11 June 2014). "Marrs leaves Gillingham for Brighton Super League challenge".
13. (22 April 2016). "Brighton dismiss women's manager James Marrs after disciplinary hearing". [[BBC]].
14. (15 December 2016). "George Parris to keep Brighton interim manager role for Spring Series". [[BBC]].
15. (19 July 2017). "Hope Powell: Brighton and Hove Albion Women appoint ex-England boss as new head coach". [[BBC]].
16. (28 December 2022). "Jens Scheuer confirmed as new women's head coach".
17. (6 March 2023). "Club statement: Jens Scheuer".
18. (7 April 2023). "Albion Appoint Phillips".
19. (7 April 2023). "Brighton appoint Melissa Phillips as head coach of Women's Super League side".
20. (1 February 2024). "Phillips leaves head coach role".
21. (1 February 2024). "Phillips leaves head coach role".
22. (10 July 2024). "Dario Vidosic appointed women's first team head coach".
23. "Women's First Team".
24. "There's somenew numbers to look out for in 2024/25👀✨️". Brighton & Hove Albion Women.
25. (21 September 2025). "Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United: Women's Super League". [[BBC]].
26. (18 January 2026). "Brighton & Hove Albion vs Nottingham Forest: Women's FA Cup". [[BBC]].
27. (24 September 2025). "Portsmouth vs Brighton & Hove Albion". [[BBC]].
28. (5 October 2025). "Tottenham Hotspur". [[BBC]].
29. (12 November 2025). "Brighton & Hove Albion vs Charlton Athletic: Women's League Cup". [[BBC]].