Women's Football
Leeds City Vixens was started in 1993 as Meanwood Vixens, growing into what is now Leeds City Vixens. The team started in the Sheffield and District Girl’s League, winning the U12’s, U14’s and U16’s . The senior team was formed, competing in the Yorkshire & Humberside League, before being promoted in 2003 to the Northern Combination League. They only lasted one season there and were relegated back to the Yorkshire & Humberside League. They won the league at the first attempt and were again promoted, finishing 2nd in their first season back in the Northern Combination. From 2007–08 Vixens groundshare with Yorkshire Amateur A.F.C. as their previous ground was unsuitable.
Leeds United Ladies play in the FA Women's Premier League National Division having previously been promoted from the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division in 2001. They are one of two Yorkshire teams in the national league, along with Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC. Leeds Ladies finished 7th in the league last season (2005–06).
Their first attempt at a major trophy came in came in 2006 in the FA Women's Cup final against Arsenal L.F.C.. Leeds United legend Allan Clarke presented them with sock tags before the match, similar to those worn by the Leeds male team in 1972 Final F.A. Cup victory, in a gesture to give the team luck. The final however did not turn out how the team had hoped with the result ending up 5–0 in Arsenal's favour with centre-back Lucy Ward scoring the opening goal (as an own goal) for Arsenal.
The second attempt at a major trophy came in came in 2007, also against Arsenal L.F.C.. Leeds put in a much better performance than in their previous cup final appearance but cruelly lost out to a last minute strike by Arsenal's Jayne Ludlow (Final Score — Leeds United Ladies 0 – 1 Arsenal Ladies)
After the clubs funding was cut from Leeds United by chairman Ken Bates they managed to survive by using sponsorship money. They were first sponsored by EmpireDirect.co.uk before receiving sponsorship from Leeds Metropolitan University in a deal reported to be worth over £250,000 over 5 years starting in 2007.
The club play their home matches at The Park, the home of Tadcaster Albion A.F.C., in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire having previously played at the home of Garforth Town A.F.C..
Their most notable player is Sue Smith who has played for over 10 years at international level for England, including at the 2007 Women's World Cup.
Read more about this topic: Football In Leeds
Famous quotes containing the words women and/or football:
“They tell us that women can bring better things to pass by indirect influence. Try to persuade any man that he will have more weight, more influence, if he gives up his vote, allies himself with no party and relies on influence to achieve his ends! By all means let us use to the utmost whatever influence we have, but in all justice do not ask us to be content with this.”
—Mrs. William C. Gannett, U.S. suffragist. As quoted in History of Woman Suffrage, vol. 5, ch. 8, by Ida Husted Harper (1922)
“In this dream that dogs me I am part
Of a silent crowd walking under a wall,
Leaving a football match, perhaps, or a pit,
All moving the same way.”
—Philip Larkin (1922–1986)