On 13 April 2011, The first-ever WSL fixture was played - at Imperial Fields, Chelsea's home ground - between them and Arsenal, which they lost 0–1. The club bid successfully to be one of eight founding teams in the FA Women's Super League in March 2011. FA Women's Super League (FA WSL), 2011–present A further blow arrived when Lianne Sanderson left for the 2010 WPS season. Cuts to the Ladies club's funding were offset by financial assistance from John Terry and other Chelsea FC players. Īt Casey Stoney's recommendation, Matt Beard became manager for 2009–10. Jones departed as manager in January 2009, leaving Casey Stoney to act as player/manager. Mary Phillip retired a month into the new season, Eniola Aluko and Anita Asante left for the new WPS in March 2009, while Lorrie Fair missed the whole campaign with a cruciate ligament injury sustained in May 2008. Then Arsenal Ladies manager Vic Akers criticised his former players as disrespectful, while pursuing players from other clubs to bolster his own squad.Ĭhelsea Ladies finished the 2008–09 season third behind Arsenal and Everton. On 2 July 2008 Chelsea surprisingly signed Lianne Sanderson and Anita Asante from Arsenal Ladies, in addition to veteran Mary Phillip. Ĭhelsea Ladies introduced a new manager for the 2008–09 season, former Arsenal Ladies reserve team coach Steve Jones. American World Cup winner Lorrie Fair, regarded as one of the best midfielders in the women's game, joined in January as Chelsea finished 2007–08 in fifth position. Īfter an eighth-placed finish in 2006–07, Gore drafted in England players Siobhan Chamberlain, Casey Stoney and Eniola Aluko that summer. During the season the club had been linked with a transfer bid for North American star players Tiffeny Milbrett and Christine Sinclair. They finished bottom of the league that season under Shaun Gore, but won a promotion/relegation play-off against Northern Division runners-up Liverpool 4–1 on aggregate to stay in the Premier League National Division. The club then won promotion as champions from the Southern Division in 2004–05 to the Premier League National Division and have participated at the top level ever since.įA Premier League National Division, 2005–2010 Īfter starting 2005–06 with one point from six games, manager George Michealas was fired in September after four years in charge. In June 2004, Chelsea Ladies voted to be taken over and funded by Chelsea's Football in the Community department. 6.3.1 Chelsea Women's Player of the YearĬhelsea Ladies Football Club was formed in 1992 after supporters of Chelsea F.C.1.3 FA Women's Super League (FA WSL), 2011–present.1.2 FA Premier League National Division, 2005–2010.