Ladies History

Arsenal Ladies FC were formed in 1987 by Vic Akers, who enjoyed a 22-year stint as manager of the Club prior to moving upstairs to a general manager role in 2009.

Under Akers, the Gunners collected a stunning 33 major trophies - including a domestic and European quadruple in 2007. His total haul included a UEFA Women’s Cup, three domestic trebles, 12 Premier League titles, 10 FA Cups and 10 League Cups. It was a remarkable set of achievements that cemented Arsenal Ladies as the foremost women’s football club in this country.

At present the Ladies have won 38 trophies in their 25-year history.

None of this could have happened without the outstanding backing and support of Arsenal Football Club itself, though. Clare Wheatley, Ciara Grant, Faye White and Ellen White are employed solely to develop and co-ordinate the Club’s female side, while Jayne Ludlow and Emma Byrne work at the highly-successful Elite Education Programme, overseeing the Ladies' youth development.

Arsenal’s most decorated year was undoubtedly the 2006/07 season when they secured the historic quadruple to mark their 20th anniversary. The Ladies became the first British team to win the UEFA Women’s Cup, beating Swedish side Umea 1-0 over a two-legged final.

The 2011 season was a groundbreaking one for the Gunners, and for the women’s game in general. It was the inaugural year of the Women’s Super League (WSL), which Arsenal Ladies won after fighting out a close battle with Birmingham City and perennial rivals Everton. There was further success in 2012 when the Ladies won the WSL yet again and the Continental Cup for the second time in two years.

When the Gunners defend their domestic titles in 2013 they will kick off with the FA Cup before focusing on Europe and the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Then the WSL and Continental Cup will take centre stage through the summer.

As well as an all-conquering first team, Arsenal Ladies also comprises a reserve side and teams at under-17, under-15, under-13, under-11 and under-9 levels.

The full-time Elite Education Programme also operates for 16 to 19 year-olds and the facility allows the girls to combine their football and academic study.

INTERNATIONAL HONOURS

England Seniors
Rachel Yankey
Kelly Smith
Ellen White
Steph Houghton
Alex Scott
Jordan Nobbs (& 23's)
Faye White
Katie Chapman

England U23's
Gemma Davison
Dan Carter

England U19's
Bianca Bragg
Jade Bailey

Ireland
Emma Byrne
Niamh Fahey
Yvonne Tracy
Ciara Grant

Scotland
Kim Little
Jennifer Beattie

Wales
Jayne Ludlow 

Club Sponsors
Arsenal Football Club
Fly Emirates

Additional Sponsors
NIKE