Newcastle United W.F.C.

Newcastle United Women
Full nameNewcastle United Women's Football Club
NicknameThe Magpies
Founded1989 (1989) as Newcastle United Ladies
GroundGateshead International Stadium
Capacity11,800
OwnersPublic Investment Fund (85%)
RB Sports & Media (15%)[1]
ManagerTanya Oxtoby
LeagueWomen's Super League 2
2025–26WSL 2, 6th of 12
Websitenewcastleunited.com/women

Newcastle United Women's Football Club is a professional English women's football club, affiliated with Newcastle United F.C. They were founded in 1989 and are based at the Newcastle United Academy Training Centre, Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne, and play their home matches at Gateshead International Stadium, Gateshead. They are currently members of the Women's Super League 2.

In the summer of 2016, they became officially affiliated with Newcastle United F.C, operating independently with the support of the Newcastle United Foundation. In August 2022, restructuring meant that the women's team was brought under the complete ownership of Newcastle United, with plans to transition to full-time football.[2]

History

The club was formed in 1989 and known at the time as Newcastle United Ladies.[3] In 1996, the team played Manchester United at Wembley, prior to a men's charity match between the two sides.[4]

By 2001, the club was well established in the top half of the Northern Combination League, and through its partnership with Newcastle City Council's Football Development Scheme, a five-year plan was put in place to reach the FA Women's Premier League. Those five years saw the club achieve major success on and off the field, winning the Northumberland FA Senior Cup on a record five consecutive occasions.[5]

The club gained promotion to the Women's National League North in 2003 off the back of conceding only 16 goals in 18 games.

During the 2005–06 season, the club reached the Women's FA Cup quarter finals for the first time ever, losing to Liverpool 9–8 on penalties following a 2–2 draw.

In August 2013 the club announced a deal with Wonga.com, who become the club's principal sponsor for the 2013–14 season. This was the first time an official Newcastle United sponsor had also committed to the women's team, demonstrating the growing importance of women's football.[6]

The club achieved their highest ever finish in the third tier of Women's football during the 2015–16 season, finishing 9th under manager Thomas Butler. They also reached the semi-final of the FAWPL Plate, where they were defeated 0–2 by Enfield Town.[7]

Ahead of the 2016–17 season, the club was renamed Newcastle United Women's Football Club.[8] Newcastle United Women also became part of the Newcastle United Foundation, a registered charity arm of Newcastle United F.C., while remaining independently owned.[9]

Newcastle United played their first game at St. James' Park on 1 May 2022, attracting a crowd of 22,134. The team won 4–0 against Alnwick Town Ladies.[10]

Following promotion to the third tier at the end of the 2022–23 season, the club turned professional, becoming the first professional side to compete in the English women's third tier.[11][12] Under the guidance of head of women's football Su Cumming and head coach at the time Becky Langley, a development squad was also introduced to help provide players with a talent pathway into the senior team.[13]

Newcastle United were promoted to the Women's Championship (WSL 2) as champions of the 2023–24 National League, after 10–0 win against Huddersfield Town on 14 April 2024.[14]

On 10 August 2024, Newcastle United maintained their 100% win record at St. James' Park with a 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory against AC Milan which saw them win the Sela Cup in front of 37,000 fans.[15]

Ahead of the 2025–26 Women's Super League 2 season, and with ambitions of earning promotion to the Women's Super League (WSL), Newcastle United moved to Gateshead International Stadium, which has a natural grass pitch and complies with WSL regulations.[16]

Current squad

As of 6 August 2026[17]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  FIN Anna Tamminen
2 DF  SCO Charlotte Wardlaw
3 DF  ENG Demi Stokes (captain)
4 MF  ENG Jordan Nobbs
5 DF  ENG Jemma Purfield
6 MF  ENG Elysia Boddy
7 MF  USA Morgan Gautrat
8 MF  ENG Emma Kelly
9 FW  SCO Kathleen McGovern
10 MF  ENG Mollie Lambert
11 MF  SCO Freya Gregory
12 GK  ENG Kayla Rendell (on loan from Manchester United)
14 FW  SWE Emilia Larsson
15 DF  HUN Hanna Németh
16 MF  ISL Hildur Antonsdóttir
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 FW  SCO Martha Thomas
18 DF  AUS Kaitlyn Torpey
19 MF  ENG Katie Bradley
20 FW  FIN Oona Sevenius
21 MF  SCO Jasmine McQuade
22 DF  WAL Lois Joel
23 DF  WAL Gemma Evans
24 MF  ENG Ashanti Akpan
25 DF  IRL Aoife Mannion
26 FW  ENG Beth Lumsden
27 DF  SCO Rachel McLauchlan
30 FW  ENG Jessie Gale (on loan from Arsenal)
33 FW  IRL Leanne Kiernan
99 DF  ENG Lia Cataldo

Former players

Under-21s squad

Updated 7 March 2026

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
33  ENG Ava Chapman
36  ENG Annabel Bright
38  ENG Alexandra Pennock
40  ENG Hannah McIntosh
42 GK  ENG Daisy Manders
43  ENG Teigan Wilson
44  ENG Rose McCarthy
45  ENG Eva Mysleyko
46  ENG Abigail Allan
47  ENG Jessica Weighell
50  ENG Mollie Wilson
52  ENG Lily West
53  ENG Abbie Richardson
No. Pos. Nation Player
54  ENG Lucy Plews
55  ENG Ella Baker
56  ENG Amelia Freeman
57  ENG Faye Brannon
58  ENG Cara Fisher
59  ENG Macie Halsall
60  AUS Abby Philipson
66 GK  ENG Freya Dyos
—  ENG Beth Teasdale
—  WAL Casi Gregson
—  ENG Lucy Hawkins
—  ENG Poppy Gourley
— GK  AUS Sofia Borg

Under-16s squad

Updated 7 March 2026

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
41  ENG Jesse Bessy
63 GK  ENG Georgia Rignall-Howie
67  ENG Alexa Dean
70  ENG Mollie Frew
71  ENG Nicole Jeffrey
73  ENG Lily Williamson
78  ENG Amy Murray
80  ENG Olivia Fishburn
81  ENG Sofia Clark
83  ENG Eden Reid
No. Pos. Nation Player
84  ENG Nieve Richardson
85  ENG Isla Hepburn
86  ENG Ruby Smith
88 DF  ENG Saisha Snowdon
—  ENG Isla Burdon-Watson
—  ENG Freya Heatley
—  ENG Lyla Johnson
—  ENG Nieve Regis-Thomson
—  ENG Lily Welsh

Staff

For board members and the executive leadership, see Newcastle United.

First team

Position Staff
Manager Australia Tanya Oxtoby
Assistant Manager England Claire Ditchburn
First Team Coach England Luke Thomas-Arayo
Goalkeeper Coach England Stephen Brass
Sports Scientist England Thomas Keeney
Sports Scientist England Matt Hill
Head Physio England Rhys Griffiths
Physio England Chris Walker
Physio England Becky Gray
Doctor England Ross Floyd
Development Team Manager England Courtney Vacher
Development Team Assistant Manager England Codie Nichols
Development Team Assistant Manager England Abi Giles-Haigh
Development Team Coach Scotland Cara Milne-Redhead

Source:

Managerial history

As of 20 April, 2026:

Name Tenure Refs
Republic of Ireland Thomas Butler2015
England Victoria Greenwell2016 – 2019
England Becky Langley2019 — 20 October 2025[18]
England Claire Ditchburn (interim)22 October 2025 – 22 November 2025[19]
Australia Tanya Oxtoby22 November 2025 –[20]

Honours

Winners: 2023–24
  • FA Women's National League Division One North:
Winners: 2022–23
Winners: 2011–12
Runners-up: 2003–04
  • Combination League Cup:
2004–05
  • Northern Combination League Cup:
1998–99
2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2011–12
  • Y.E.S Cup (Year of Exercise and Sport):
2006–07
  • Lloret Cup:
2003–04
  • Nationwide Club of the Year:
2006–07
  • John O'Farrell Charity Cup:
2009–10
FA Women's Premier League Reserve Division North: 1
2015–16
  • Sela Cup:
2024

Awards

Jack Hixon Award

This award is after Jack Hixon, a local scout who found several North-East youngsters who went on to become professional footballers.

Prior to 2023, it was awarded to emerging male footballers.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Newcastle United announces agreement to change its ownership structure". Newcastle United F.C. 12 July 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  2. ↑ Newcastle United's women's team completes historic move to club ownership Archived 21 August 2022 at the Wayback Machine Newcastle United FC. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  3. ↑ "Our Lasses' history". Newcastle United F.C. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  4. ↑ "Support NUFC Women: Newcastle United's Rising Stars". Wor Flags. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  5. ↑ "Newcastle United Women: The history". Newcastle United F.C. 27 April 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  6. ↑ "Wonga expands Newcastle shirt sponsorship". Sports Pro. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  7. ↑ "Greek Cypriot Manager, Leads Enfield Town Ladies FC to a National Final". Parikiaki Sports. 14 March 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  8. ↑ "Newcastle United Womens Football Club". Newcastle Gateshead. 10 April 2026. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  9. ↑ "Newcastle United Foundation and Newcastle United Women inspire thousands of women and girls into football". Newcastle United Foundation. 1 May 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  10. ↑ "'Empowered' Newcastle women prepare for St James' Park return". BBC Sport. 26 November 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  11. ↑ "Third division Newcastle Women turn professional". BBC Sport. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  12. ↑ "'Historic': Newcastle Women become third tier's only fully professional club". The Guardian. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  13. ↑ "Newcastle United Women becomes full-time professional club". Newcastle United F.C. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  14. ↑ Nelson, Joe (14 April 2024). "Newcastle United: Magpies promoted to Women's Championship after 10-0 win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  15. ↑ "The story so far: Newcastle United Women at St. James' Park". Newcastle United F.C. 22 March 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  16. ↑ "Newcastle Women cross Tyne to new home". BBC. 26 July 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  17. ↑ "Women - Newcastle United". Newcastle United F.C. Archived from the original on 27 August 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  18. ↑ "Newcastle United Women and Becky Langley part ways". Newcastle United F.C. 20 October 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  19. ↑ "Claire Ditchburn to lead Newcastle United Women on interim basis". Newcastle United F.C. 22 October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  20. ↑ "Tanya Oxtoby appointed Newcastle United Women manager". www.newcastleunited.com.
  21. 1 2 "Howe, Langley, Miley and Burt among winners at Sport - Newcastle United". www.newcastleunited.com. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  22. ↑ "Burn's Night At Sport Newcastle Annual Awards". Sport Newcastle. 13 November 2025. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
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