Wrexham A.F.C. Women

History

2003–2018: NEWI Wrexham Ladies to Wrexham Ladies FC

In 2003, the NEWI Wrexham Ladies Football Club was formed, becoming part of the new North Wales Women's Football League. The initial squad drew players from the North East Wales Institute (NEWI) and the Yale College, Wrexham and played their home games next door to the Racecourse Ground.

In 2008, they reached the finals of the FAW Women's Cup for the first time. In 2009, they became part of Wrexham F.C., helped to found the Welsh Premier Women's League as one of four teams in the Northern Division and adopted the new name Wrexham Ladies FC. In the 2011-12 season, they won the division but lost the Championship Final against Cardiff Met WFC. The Welsh Premier League went national during the 2012-13 season and the team finished in third place.

They finished 6th in both of the following campaigns. During the 2015-16 season, they had a difficult time maintaining a full roster and withdrew from the Premier League mid-season.

2018–2020: As Wrexham A.F.C. Women

In 2018, the club reformed as Wrexham A.F.C. Women, joining the North Wales Women's Football League to compete against teams across North Wales. Penycae F.C.'s Afoneitha Road was chosen for home matches and former Racecourse Community Foundation coach Luke Wynne became the manager. The League was split into Division One and Division Two in North Wales; Wrexham entered the bottom tier as a new club of Division Two. In that season, Wrexham won the North Wales Women's Division Two league cup, beating Rhyl Development 3–2 in a cup final hosted at Bala Town's Maes Tegid but lost the League's Supplementary Cup to Amlwch Town Ladies. They finished the season 4th in the league and gained promotion to Division One.

In the 2019/20 season, the COVID-19 pandemic cut the season short with Wrexham in 8th place after losing all league games. The Football Association of Wales decided to use points per game (PPG) calculation to work out the finishing positions for the teams in all leagues with no female teams being relegated.

2020–2023: New owners, promotion to Adran Premier

In November 2020, Canadian-American actor Ryan Reynolds and American actor Rob McElhenney, through their RR McReynolds Company LLC, bought Wrexham A.F.C. Due to the Christmas 2020 second lockdown, the 2020/21 season was canceled with no games being played.

Before the start of the 2021/22 season, the FAW announced a restructure of Women's football in Wales, with a new Tier 2 league split into Adran North and Adran South with specific criteria needed to enter. The FAW opened up both tiers to all clubs to apply to join. Wrexham applied for the Tier 2 North and completed a successful first campaign as an inaugural member that new second tier, finishing runners-up to Llandudno Ladies F.C. after losing to the champions in a winner-takes-all game on the final day of the season at Maesdu Park.

On 9 February 2023, Wrexham announced they had applied for a Tier 1 license, and would become semi-professional if promoted to the Adran Premier for the 2023/24 season.{{Cite web |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240518163745/https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/2023/february/club-statement--wrexham-afc-women-to-become-semi-professional/ |archive-date = 18 May 2024 |access-date = 20 July 2025 |author-link = Wrexham A.F.C. |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240524225416/https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/2023/april/report--wrexham-afc-women-1-0-briton-ferry-llansawel/ |archive-date = 24 May 2024 |access-date = 20 July 2025

2023– present: Adran Premier and turning semi-professional

On 27 June 2023, the club announced that ten players have signed semi-professional contracts, a first in club history,{{Cite web |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240413141606/https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/2023/june/contract-news--wrexham-afc-women-stars-sign-first-semi-pro-contracts/ |archive-date = 13 April 2024 |access-date = 20 July 2025 The club finished 4th in the 2024–25 season, only one point behind The New Saints FC, after losing to them in the final game of the season and reached the finals of the FAW Women's Cup for the third time. In May 2025, the team became the first from the club to travel to Asia for the HKFC Soccer Sevens tournament, becoming the first Women's side to do so from outside of Asia.{{cite news |access-date = 20 July 2025 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250528203940/https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/2025/may/23/statement-steve-dale-resigns-as-wrexham-afc-women-manager/ |archive-date = 28 May 2025 |access-date = 20 July 2025 |author-link = Wrexham A.F.C.

Stadium

They first played their home games at the North East Wales Institute, moved to Penycae F.C.'s Afoneitha Road after their reformation in 2018, then at the Brymbo Sports & Social Complex in Wrexham in 2021-22, and in Rhos Aelwyd F.C.'s Ponciau Banks in 2022-23.

For the 2023–24 season, the team moved to The Rock in Rhosymedre after reaching a multi-year agreement with Cefn Druids A.F.C. to see the women's section train and play their home games at The Rock Stadium. The capacity is 3,000 (500 seats).

On 5 August 2025, it was announced that Wrexham had completed the purchase of The Rock Stadium, making it the permanent home for Wrexham AFC Women. As a condition of the sale, Cefn Druids would continue to have use of the facilities for their training and fixtures.

Sponsorship

In May 2023, the team's training kit was announced to be sponsored by Betty Buzz, a beverage company owned by Blake Lively, from the 2023–24 season.

Kit manufacturers and sponsors

Players

Squad

Player records

• Most goals in a season in all competitions: 65 – Lowri Edwards (2011-12)
• Most league goals in total: 78 – Lowri Edwards
• Most league appearances: 82 – Lyndsey Rodger (2011–2015)
• Most appearances in total: 111 – Del Morgan (2011–2025)

Women's Player of the Season

• 2021-22 - WAL Rosie Hughes{{Cite web |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240418044238/https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/2022/may/awards--202122-end-of-season-winners-revealed/ |archive-date = 18 April 2024 |access-date = 20 July 2025 |author-link = Wrexham A.F.C.
• 2022-23 - WAL Rosie Hughes{{Cite web |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240416183229/https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/2023/june/player-of-the-season--202223-award-winners-named/ |archive-date = 16 April 2024 |access-date = 20 July 2025 |author-link = Wrexham A.F.C.
• 2023-24 - WAL Rosie Hughes{{Cite web |access-date = 20 July 2025 |archive-date = 24 March 2025 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250324234543/https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/2024/april/end-of-season-awards--paul-mullin-and-rosie-hughes-make-it-three-in-a-row/ |url-status = live
• 2024-25 - ENG Abbie Iddenden {{cite web |access-date = 20 July 2025

Women's Young Player of the Season

• 2021–22 - ENG Amber Lightfoot
• 2022–23 - ENG Amber Lightfoot
• 2023–24 - WAL Lili Jones
• 2024–25 - WAL Lili Jones

Women's Players' Player of the Season

• 2021–22 - WAL TJ Dickens
• 2022–23 - WAL Erin Lovett
• 2023–24 - WAL Phoebe Davies
• 2024–25 - ENG Liz Craven

Women's Top Goalscorer

• 2021–22 - WAL Rosie Hughes
• 2022–23 - WAL Rosie Hughes
• 2023–24 - WAL Rosie Hughes
• 2024–25 - ENG Abbie Iddenden

Goal of the Season

• 2024–25 - WAL Lili Jones

Seasons

Team records

• Attendance – 10,379 v Portland Thorns FC Academy, Friendly, 26 July 2024
• League Attendance – 9,511 v Connah's Quay Nomads Women, Adran North, 26 March 2023
• Highest league win – 19-1 v Cybi, Welsh Premier Women's League, 11 September 2011
• Worst league defeat – 1–12 v Llanfair United, North Wales Women's League, Div. 1, 8 September 2019
• Highest league finish - 2nd, Welsh Premier Women's League, 2011–12 Welsh Premier Women's League
• Lowest league finish - 4th, North Wales Women's League, Div. 2, 2018–19
• Biggest cup win - 13–0 v Pwllheli, 2023–24 FAW Women's Cup, 15 October 2023
• Most league wins in a season 13, 2012–13 Welsh Premier Women's League
• Most goals in a season – 77, Adran North, 2021–22
• Most clean sheets in a season – 27, 2011–12 Welsh Premier Women's League

Club officials

Women's Coaching Staff

Honours

League

• Adran Premier
  • Runners-up (1): 2011–2012
• Genero Adran North
  • Winners (1): 2022–23
  • Runners-up (1): 2021–22
• NWWFL Division Two
  • Promoted (1): 2018–19.

Cups

• FAW Women's Cup
  • Runners-up (2): 2008, 2024, 2025
• NWWFL Division Two League Cup
  • Winners (1): 2019
• NWWFL Supplementary Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 2019

Literature

• Champions 2022/23 – The Story Of A Record-Breaking Season, Wrexham A.F.C., 2023 Documents the campaigns of both teams.

References

References

1. (14 January 2016). "Wrexham resign from Welsh Premier Women's League". [[Daily Post (North Wales).
2. (14 January 2016). "Wrexham resign from Welsh Premier Women's League". [[Daily Post (North Wales).
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7. (23 May 2018). "Home venue and new coach secured for newly-reformed Wrexham AFC Women's football team".
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9. (June 17, 2020). "FAW announce promotions and relegations of football teams".
10. (16 November 2020). "DONE DEAL: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney acquire Wrexham AFC". [[The Non-League Paper]].
11. (16 November 2020). "Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney: Hollywood stars to take over Wrexham". [[BBC Sport]].
12. (8 March 2024). "Welcome to Wrexham Women: A bright future ahead". [[ESPN]].
13. (31 March 2022). "Best thing to happen in North Wales women's football for a long time – a review of the first Genero Adran North League season". NWSport.
14. "Results".
15. "Wrexham AFC Women Awarded first UEFA License and FAW Tier 1 License renews for 2024/25 Season".
16. (11 June 2024). "TST 2024 schedule, results: The Soccer Tournament full list of matches and highlights for 7v7 competition".
17. "Ally Financial Continues to Make Women's Sports Unmissable, Sponsors U.S. Tour for Wrexham AFC Women".
18. "Match Results Season 2024-25".
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20. (2023-05-24). "Wrexham AFC women to train and play at The Rock Stadium".
21. (5 August 2025). "Wrexham AFC complete purchase of The Rock stadium".
22. (2023-05-24). "Blake Lively's company named as Wrexham's training kit sponsor for next season".
23. Gijy, Jacob. (6 March 2022). "Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham Extend Major Partnership With Italian Firm as They Eye League Promotion".
24. Sheena, Jasmine. (10 June 2023). "United Airlines inks sponsorship deal with Wrexham AFC".
25. Brooker, Alice. (5 July 2021). "Ryan Reynolds launches Aviation Gin kit for Wrexham AFC".
26. (27 July 2022). "Blake Lively's "Betty Buzz" becomes new Wrexham AFC Women sleeve sponsor".
27. Mahadik, Gauresh. (3 June 2023). "Wrexham AFC sustain sponsorship ties with VistaPrint".
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35. "Football fixtures, results and tables service for Wales : All Wales Sport".
36. Sherlock, Harry. (20 March 2023). "Only four Wrexham Women stars make the cut as Adran North releases Team of the Year despite Welsh side winning every game & scoring 70 goals".
37. (27 July 2024). "History made. With 10,379 supporters at Providence Park, we have officially smashed our record attendance".
38. (26 March 2023). "Wrexham 2-1 Connah's Quay: Record crowd of 9,511 at Welsh domestic women's game".
39. "Club Records All Competitions".
40. "Club Records North Wales Womens Football League".
41. (15 May 2012). "Europe beckons for UWIC". shekicks.net.
42. "Club Records FAW Cup".
43. "Season Overview Season 2012-13".
44. "Football fixtures, results and tables service for Wales : All Wales Sport".
45. "Match Results Season 2011-12".
46. "Who's Who". Wrexham AFC.
47. (31 March 2022). "Best thing to happen in North Wales women's football for a long time – a review of the first Genero Adran North League season". NWSport.
48. (July 2024). "Women's Football in Wrexham".
49. (14 January 2016). "Wrexham resign from Welsh Premier Women's League". [[Daily Post (North Wales).
50. (July 2024). "Women's Football in Wrexham".
51. (July 2024). "Women's Football in Wrexham".