Latest news with #FAWomen'sChampionship
Belfast Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Northern Ireland Women dealt injury blow as midfield star pulls out ahead of key double-header
The midfielder has picked up a hamstring injury that has ruled her out for the clashes at home to Poland and away to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Nottingham Forest Women defender Nat Johnson has been called up to replace the 26-year-old Scofield, who has been a regular in Oxtoby's starting line-up since switching allegiance and making her debut for Northern Ireland in 2024. The London-born midfielder has just completed a loan spell at Sheffield United Women in the FA Women's Championship from London City Lionesses, while she also previously plied her trade for Leicester City Women in the Women's Super League. Scofield's withdrawal is unwelcome news for Oxtoby with Northern Ireland facing Poland at Seaview on Friday, May 30 (7.00pm) before travelling to Zenica to take on Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday, June 3 (6.00pm BST) in two crucial Nations League B, Group 1 encounters. With Northern Ireland sitting second in the group with seven points from four games as they stare into the final two games of the League, the first clash sees them lock horns with unbeaten League leaders Poland, who have 10 points, before tackling the third-placed Bosnians who are perched on four points. Their current position would be good enough for a Promotion Play-Off to get into League A, however failing to beat Poland would rule out their chances of automatic promotion courtesy of their inferior head-to-head record. Similarly, they are at risk of falling into a Relegation Play-Off. Bettering third-placed Bosnia's result against winless Romania on Matchday Five would eliminate that possibility and confirm Northern Ireland's League B survival, however any other outcome would ensure their fate goes right down to the final day.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Blackburn Rovers pull out of Women's Championship due to league demands
Image Source: Getty Blackburn Rovers have confirmed their withdrawal from the FA Women's Championship due to being unable to fund their squad as a professional side. The club is now in discussions with the FA Women's National League board regarding the level of the women's football pyramid that the team will be operating in next season, with a decision to be confirmed in due course over the coming weeks. Financial challenges and league requirements The move comes after the recent rebranding of the Women's Championship, which, from next season, will require its clubs to run fully professional sides with increased support and facilities in order to protect player welfare and the integrity of competition. The increased demands on clubs are taking a huge toll financially, especially on smaller clubs. While the effort to save the club is in vain, league officials and other interested parties did what they could to help out Blackburn, who blamed unviable financial pressure for the situation, including ballooning wage bills and reliance on matchday revenue. Rovers cited further problems of stagnant home crowds, despite playing their matches at Ewood Park. There have been some grim reports of the club's financial shortcomings, with players on part-time contracts just being paid the minimum wage, which has brought public criticism from former players and leading figures in the sport. Players were also notified of the withdrawal via WhatsApp, underscoring communication problems in the club. Also Read: FA Cup: Tottenham Hotspur suffer two cup exits in a week after fourth-round defeat to Aston Villa Impact on players and future prospects The withdrawal has left players, coaches, and staff in limbo. Defender Niamh Murphy expressed her frustration on social media, revealing that management had issued a seven-day deadline for securing funding and criticizing the ongoing lack of financial support from the club. The team, which is coming off a 10th-place finish in the division despite having one of the smaller budgets, has a proud tradition of developing talents such as Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, and Keira Walsh. The club's exit from the Championship has come in the wake of a similar announcement from Reading FC Women last year, which also cited financial pressures and an inability to comply with regulations. Such changes highlight the wider pressure point on women's football clubs to remain financially viable with higher professionalisation requirements. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
London City Lionesses promoted to WSL after epic 2-2 draw with Birmingham
((Reuters)) -London City Lionesses held on for a thrilling 2-2 draw away to Birmingham City that saw them top the FA Women's Championship and win promotion to the Women's Super League, despite throwing away a two-goal lead late in the final game of the season. With only the winners promoted, the Lionesses finished the season with 43 points, two ahead of Birmingham, and they will replace already-relegated Crystal Palace in the WSL next term. Relegated in 2022 after a 20-year stint in the top flight, second-placed Birmingham City came into the game knowing they needed to win to secure promotion, and they had a couple of decent chances in a thrilling but scoreless first half. Izzy Goodwin made them rue those missed opportunities in the 47th minute, cutting in from the left and riding a couple of tackles before firing a rocket into the top-left corner to give her side the lead with her 16th goal of the season. Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah made Birmingham's task all the harder by netting a second with a perfectly-placed header into the bottom-left corner, but the home crowd was ignited when Emily von Egmond pulled a goal back with a close-range header in the 64th minute. Roared on by the crowd of 8,749 spectators, Cho So-Hyun then equalised with a brilliant volley in the 86th minute to set up a nail-biting finish that featured 10 minutes of added time. Playing in the last game of her professional career, Ireland international Louise Quinn came off the bench and she had a late shout for a penalty turned down as Birmingham rained balls into the box, but London City managed to hold on to become the first fully independent women's club to play in the top division. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
London City Lionesses promoted to WSL after epic 2-2 draw with Birmingham
May 4 ((Reuters)) - London City Lionesses held on for a thrilling 2-2 draw away to Birmingham City that saw them top the FA Women's Championship and win promotion to the Women's Super League, despite throwing away a two-goal lead late in the final game of the season. With only the winners promoted, the Lionesses finished the season with 43 points, two ahead of Birmingham, and they will replace already-relegated Crystal Palace in the WSL next term. Relegated in 2022 after a 20-year stint in the top flight, second-placed Birmingham City came into the game knowing they needed to win to secure promotion, and they had a couple of decent chances in a thrilling but scoreless first half. Izzy Goodwin made them rue those missed opportunities in the 47th minute, cutting in from the left and riding a couple of tackles before firing a rocket into the top-left corner to give her side the lead with her 16th goal of the season. Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah made Birmingham's task all the harder by netting a second with a perfectly-placed header into the bottom-left corner, but the home crowd was ignited when Emily von Egmond pulled a goal back with a close-range header in the 64th minute. Roared on by the crowd of 8,749 spectators, Cho So-Hyun then equalised with a brilliant volley in the 86th minute to set up a nail-biting finish that featured 10 minutes of added time. Playing in the last game of her professional career, Ireland international Louise Quinn came off the bench and she had a late shout for a penalty turned down as Birmingham rained balls into the box, but London City managed to hold on to become the first fully independent women's club to play in the top division.
The 42
02-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Ex-Republic of Ireland international Niamh Fahey to retire from professional football
FORMER REPUBLIC OF Ireland defender Niamh Fahey has announced that she will retire from professional football after closing the curtain on her international career in January. The Galway native will play her last game for Liverpool against her former club Chelsea, who she won a double with a decade ago. Fahey originally arrived in England with Arsenal in 2008, winning a domestic treble in her first year and going on to collect three more Women's Super League titles, as well as five Women's FA Cups. Advertisement She later joined Liverpool in 2018 following a spell in France with Bordeaux. Fahey has been the Liverpool captain for the past five years, winning the FA Women's Championship title in 2022 before helping the Reds regain a foothold in the Women's Super League. 'It's hard to summarise into words the emotions that I feel as I'm retiring,' told the club website following her announcement. 'There are probably too many. 'All I can say is how fortunate I feel for the career I've had and being able to finish it all off at my girlhood club, Liverpool FC. 'I'm so grateful for all the wonderful people I've met, shared a dressing room with and to those who have supported me throughout it all. There are too many people to thank individually, but I think you will all know who you are! 'My time at Liverpool has been a rollercoaster for sure! From some real lows to some unforgettable highs. Ultimately, I feel so proud of the last seven years, the journey we've been on and for me personally being able to pull on the red shirt, captain the team and wear the Liver bird on my chest. I have never taken it for granted and it has been a dream to play for this club. 'To the fans, you have been the life force behind everything, especially helping to bring the club back to a competitive place in the WSL. 'I can't thank you all enough for the unwavering support, in good times and bad, and the memories we've shared along the way. It's been unforgettable.'
