Everton F.C. Women

History

Early years

The club started life as Hoylake WFC in 1983. It merged with Dolphins YC to become Leasowe, then added Pacific to its title in a sponsorship deal. In 1987–88, the team came to prominence winning the North West Women's League and reaching the 1988 Women's FA Cup final, losing to Doncaster Belles 3–1. It came back the following year to beat Friends of Fulham 3–2. By 1991–92, Leasowe Pacific had won its regional league for five years running, and when the regular national competition was expanded the next season it was admitted to Division One North, promptly finishing top to join the FA Women's Premier League.

Becoming Everton

In 1995, the club became known as Everton Ladies and continued to make its mark. In 1997, it reached the final of the Premier League Cup only to lose to Millwall Lionesses 1–2. The following year, however, the team was crowned National Premier League Champions which is its biggest success to date. In 1999, the club again lost in the League Cup final, 1–3 to Arsenal Ladies, and in 2005 reached the FA Women's Cup final only to lose 0–1 to Charlton Athletic after a disappointing display. Revenge of sorts came two years later when Everton pipped Charlton to second place in the Premier League which, as champions Arsenal had already won the UEFA Women's Cup, meant a European debut for Everton in 2007–08. In 2008, it won the Premier League Cup by beating Arsenal in the final. Arsenal was unbeaten in England two years at the time.

The club's first foray into UEFA competition saw it win its opening game 4–0 against Lithuanian side Gintra. It won further group games against Glentoran and Zulwil without conceding and scoring 20 goals in the process. The campaign was to end in disappointment at the second group stage. Despite beating Valur 3–1 in its final group game, Everton only finished third and failed to progress into the quarter–finals amidst much controversy.

On 10 May 2009, Everton needed only a draw against Arsenal Ladies in the last match of the season to win the Women's Premier League for only the second time in its history, but lost 1–0 to finish runners–up on goal difference. Due to the reformatting of the European Cup into the UEFA Women's Champions League, however, the team still qualified for Europe, although it had to enter at the qualifying group stages and was eliminated the in round of 32 by Norwegian team Roa IL. In 2010, Everton beat Arsenal 3–2 to win the FA Women's Cup with Natasha Dowie (niece of Iain) scoring the winner deep into extra time.

In 2011, the club advanced to the quarter–finals of the Champions League, where its best run so far was stopped by German side FCR Duisburg. Everton was one of eight founding teams in the FA WSL in March 2011.

Relegation to FA WSL 2 in 2014

After several seasons finishing mid-table, Everton would struggle to gain form during the 2014 season having lost key players Jill Scott and Toni Duggan (both to Manchester City) during the off-season. In September 2014, Everton would lose 2–0 to Notts County, sealing its relegation to WSL 2 after 21 years of top flight football.

The 2014 FA Women's Cup final was the 44th final of the FA Women's Cup, England's primary cup competition for women's football teams. The showpiece event was the 21st to be played directly under the auspices of the Football Association (FA). The final was contested between Arsenal and Everton on 1 June 2014 at stadium:mk in Milton Keynes. This was the last cup final held outside Wembley Stadium. Holders Arsenal made its 14th final appearance, after winning the 2013 final. Everton was appearing in its fifth final.

As FA WSL 1 clubs, both teams entered the competition at the fifth round stage. Arsenal beat Gillingham (2–0), Birmingham City (2–1) and Chelsea (5–3) to reach the final. Everton defeated Cardiff City (3–1), Liverpool (2–0) and Notts County (2–1).

The victory gave Arsenal a rare FA Cup double with the men's team winning the final two weeks before, a feat they accomplished for the third time (also in 1993 and 1998).

FA WSL 2 (2015–2017)

Everton would contend in WSL2, registering back-to-back third-place finishes during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. In anticipation of re-aligning the season with the typical FIFA calendar, the WSL 1 and 2 competed in a truncated 9-match season. The "FA WSL Spring Series" (as it became referred), would not have teams compete for promotion or relegation before the full 2017–18 season. Everton won the Spring Series, recording 7 wins from 9 with scoring led by Claudia Walker (7 goals) and Simone Magill (5 goals). The Spring Series title was the first since the FA Women's Premier League National Division 1997–98 season title.

Return to top flight

Prior to the 2017–18 season, Notts County of the WSL 1 folded prior to the Spring Series prompting the FA to invite FA WSL 2 clubs to apply and fill the vacancy. Everton was awarded the invitation back into the top flight on 9 June 2017, and would compete in the WSL 1 for the 2017–18 season.

Everton struggled to gain much form during the 2017–18 season. Despite making a run to the semi-finals in the 2017–18 FA Women's Cup, Everton finished 9th in the table (only beating out winless Yeovil Town); however league structural changes prevented the club from being relegated.{{Cite web|url=https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/5/20/17373614/everton-ladies-manchester-city-ladies-womens-super-league-latest|title=Everton Ladies end season with defeat at Man City

Ahead of the 2019–20 season, the team dropped Ladies from its name. Although now simply called Everton, the club will use Everton Women in a formal capacity when necessary to avoid confusion with the men's team.

Everton reached the delayed 2019–20 FA Women's Cup final, losing to Manchester City 1–3 after extra-time at Wembley on 1 November 2020.

In the 2022–23 season Everton finished sixth in the Women's Super League table while they ended the 2023–24 campaign in eighth.

The 2024–25 season saw Everton beat Manchester City for the first time ever in December 2024. The match ended 2–1 after two first half goals by Everton.

Stadium

Everton had Rossett Park as its home ground starting in 1998, sharing with non-league side Marine in Crosby. Rossett Park would be the Blues' home ground for 15 years.

In 2013, the team moved to Halton Stadium (previously known then as "Select Security Stadium"), also used by its Merseyside rivals Liverpool. The move was prompted by needing improved technical requirements for the developing WSL standards and providing notably increased capacity.

Ahead of the 2018–19 season, Everton announced that they would play the first half of the season at Haig Avenue and ended up staying for the whole season.

In 2019, it was announced that the club would play its last game at the Haig Avenue on 29 September of that year, before moving to Walton Hall Park, but delays meant the team would not move like planned until February 2020.

In May 2025, it was announced that the club would move permanently to Goodison Park, after the men's team move out at the end of the 2024–25 season, with the first home league tie contested there being a match versus Tottenham Hotspur Women on September 14 2025.

Current squad

Out on loan

Staff

Current Staff

Former players

Honours

For a detailed international record see English women's football clubs in international competitions

• FA WSL 2 Spring Series:
  • Winners (1): 2017
• FA Women's Premier League National Division:
  • Winners (1): 1997–98
  • Runners-up (5): 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10
• FA Women's Cup:
  • Winners (2): 1988–89 (as Leasowe Pacific), 2009–10
  • Runners-up (4): 1987–88 (as Leasowe), 2004–05, 2013–14, 2019–20
• FA Women's Premier League Cup:
  • Winners (1): 2007–08
  • Runners-up (2): 1996–97, 1998–99
• FA Women's Community Shield:
  • Runners-up (2): 2006–07, 2008–09
• Liverpool County FA Cup:
  • Winners (3): 2006, 2007, 2008

Managers

As of July 6,2025:

Awards

Player of the Season

• 2006 – Jody Handley
• 2007 – Fara Williams
• 2008 – Lindsay Johnson
• 2009 – Fara Williams
• 2010 – Jill Scott
• 2011 – Natasha Dowie
• 2012 – Rachel Brown
• 2013 – Toni Duggan
• 2014 – Nikita Parris
• 2015 – Simone Magill
• 2016 – Kelly Jones
• 2017 – N/A
• 2018 – Angharad James
• 2019 – Simone Magill
• 2020 – Danielle Turner
• 2021 – Izzy Christiansen
• 2022 – Gabby George
• 2023 – Nathalie Björn
• 2024 – Courtney Brosnan
• 2025 – Sara Holmgaard

Supporters player of the season

• 2007 – Rachel Unitt
• 2008 – Rachel Brown
• 2009 – Danielle Hill
• 2010 – Fara Williams
• 2011 – Fara Williams
• 2012 – Toni Duggan
• 2013 – Toni Duggan & Lizzie Durack (tied)
• 2014 – Nikita Parris
• 2015 – Danielle Turner
• 2016 – Simone Magill
• 2017 – Gabby George
• 2018 – Angharad James
• 2019 – Simone Magill
• 2020 – Lucy Graham
• 2021 – Izzy Christiansen
• 2022 – Gabby George
• 2023 – Megan Finnigan
• 2024 – Clare Wheeler

Young Player of the Season

• 2019 – Chloe Kelly
• 2020 – Molly Pike
• 2021 – Poppy Pattinson
• 2022 – Hanna Bennison
• 2023 – Jess Park
• 2024 – Heather Payne
• 2025 – Martina Fernandez

Spirit of the Blues Award

• 2021 - Megan Finnigan
• 2022 - Aurora Galli
• 2023 - Nicoline Sørensen & Courtney Brosnan
• 2024 - Clare Wheeler & Lucy Hope
• 2025 - Justine Vanhaevermaet

Other EFC teams

• Everton F.C. (men's)
• Everton Reserves and Academy

References

References

1. (29 February 2008). "Toffee ladies make Everton history". liverpoolecho.co.uk.
2. (14 October 2007). "Everton 'disgusted' with Uefa as protest is ignored". The Guardian.
3. (3 May 2010). "Everton upset Arsenal to win FA Women's Cup". BBC.
4. (22 March 2010). "Lincoln Ladies FA Women's Super League bid success". BBC.
5. (13 November 2013). "Scott Leaves Blues". Everton.
6. (28 November 2013). "WASL: England Striker Toni Duggan set to leave Everton Ladies". Sky Sports.
7. (28 September 2014). "Women's Super League: Tears flow as Everton are relegated". BBC.
8. "Women's FA Cup final: Arsenal beat Everton to retain trophy".
9. (10 January 2017). "Spring Series Fixtures". The Football Association.
10. (16 May 2015). "Women's Super League: WSL 2 clubs invited to apply to replace Notts County Ladies". BBC Sport.
11. (9 June 2017). "Everton have been elected to FA Women's Super League 1". FA WSL.
12. "Name Change For Everton Women's Team". Everton F.C..
13. "Manchester City beat Everton in extra time to win Women's FA Cup". The Guardian.
14. "Women's Super League 2022-23: How did each club do this season?". BBC Sport.
15. "How did each club get on in the WSL this season?". BBC Sport.
16. "Everton vs Manchester City: Women's Super League stats & head-to-head".
17. (16 March 2009). "Ground of the week – Arriva Stadium". BBC.
18. McMillan, Dave. (2013). "Ladies team to leave Arriva Stadium after 15 years...". Marine Football Club.
19. (7 September 2018). "Ladies To Play Home Games at Southport". Everton F.C..
20. (7 September 2018). "Everton Ladies Are in Town!".
21. (10 July 2019). "Everton Ladies' 2019/20 WSL Fixtures Confirmed". Everton F.C..
22. (13 May 2025). "Goodison Park to become home of Everton's women". BBC Sport.
23. "The Team".
24. "Awards Winners".
25. "At A Glance: Dixies Winners". Everton F.C..
26. "Awards Winners". Everton F.C..