Arsenal

Arsenal Ladies FC were formed in 1987 by Vic Akers who was the 1st Team manager for an amazing 22 years prior to stepping down at the end of 2008/09 season and taking up a more general manager role for the club.

During that time, the founding father of the club collected a staggering 32 trophies, including a domestic treble. Vic continues to be the Men’s present kit manager.

Overall in the clubs 24 year history it has achieved 35 major trophies.  This August Arsenal created another piece of history by winning the inaugural FA WSL Championship title by 3 points after being pushed all the way by Birmingham City Ladies. They also won the FA Cup for 11th time back in May 2011 beating Bristol Academy 2-0. 

The previous trophy haul includes 1 Women’s UEFA Cup (in 2007), 3 domestic Trebles, 12 Premier League Titles, 10 National League Cups and 10 FA Cups, further cementing the Ladies team really are the present dominant force in the English domestic game.

Arsenal Ladies FC have excellent backing and support from Arsenal Football Club and Clare Wheatley, assisted by Ciara Grant and Faye White, are employed by Arsenal FC solely to develop and co-ordinate the female side of the club. A further 2 senior players also work at the Academy overseeing the youth development of the club.

Arsenal’s most decorated year was undoubtedly the 2006/07 season when they recorded their best ever achievement, securing the historic Quadruple in their 20th year. The achievement made them the first British team to ever win the UEFA Women’s Cup, beating Swedish side UMEA, who were heralded the best in Europe, 1-0 over the two legged final.

The 2008/09 season saw them complete the domestic treble, their third through their 22 years and was made more remarkable after having lost 5 players midway through the season. Firstly the League cup was regained in February with a victory over Doncaster Rover Belles. Then a 2-1 victory over Sunderland won the prestigious FA cup for the 10th time at Derby FC in front of 23’033 crowd.

The Championship crown was then added on the very last day of the season after a narrow 1-0 away win over Everton. In what was the closest fought campaign over recent years, with Arsenal securing the title only by a superior goal difference. That means Arsenal boost an impressive record of sixth successive years as Champions and take it to eight wins in the last nine years.

In Europe the team made it to the quarter finals where they were defeated by Umea 8-3 on aggregate. This year they will continue to represent England as the Champions in the newly re-named UEFA Women’s Champions League 2009/10, which sees two teams from each seeded country taking part.

The Reserve team is mainly made up from the girls in the Arsenal Youth Academy, which continues to prosper. The Academy is run under the guidance of Tony Gervaise and first team manager Laura Harvey. First team players Jayne Ludlow (Physio) and Emma Byrne (administrator) also work within the Academy as full time staff. The Arsenal Ladies academy enables players aged between 16 and 19 to combine daily football coaching with academic study. Last season our Reserves won the double, winning the Reserve League and beating Everton Ladies 9-0 in the Reserve League Cup Final.

The Centre of Excellence has the aim of further developing the potential of elite young players. Last season saw a record number of players being involved in either training camps or friendlies for both the England U15's and U17's squads. A new Mini Kickers initiative was also launched with over sixty 5-8 year olds getting involved. The Centre of Excellence is overseen by the Director, John Bayer, who was appointed in July 2008.