Accrington Stanley Women FC warming up on the field before a game at The Wham stadium

About

Accrington Stanley Women FC is a passionate and ambitious club based in Lancashire, dedicated to developing the women’s game at every level. From grassroots to competitive senior football, we provide a positive, inclusive environment where players can thrive both on and off the pitch.

Our teams are proud to call The Wham Stadium and the state-of-the-art Accross Hub home, creating strong ties with the wider Accrington Stanley community. With a focus on youth development, community engagement, and competitive success, ASWFC continues to grow year on year — building a legacy that inspires the next generation of female footballers.

Meet the Committee

  • A woman stands in front of red and white stadium seats at Accrington Stanley Women FC. She has shoulder-length blonde hair and wears a black blazer over a red top. Behind her is a large sign with the club's name and crest.

    Samantha Smithson

    Chairperson

  • A man wearing a navy blue jacket with a club crest and initials 'LN' on the chest, standing outdoors with red seating in the background.

    Lucas Neill

    Vice Chair & Performance Director 

  • A man with a beard and short hair wearing a black sports jacket with a logo of Accrington Stanley Women FC, standing in front of a backdrop with logos of IMEP, Sund, and Accrington Stanley Women FC.

    Gareth Cross

    Club Secretary

Meet the Sports Science & Medicine Team

  • Young woman smiling outdoors, wearing a black sports shirt with the logos of Nike and the English Institute of Sport, standing in a backyard with a wooden fence and low stone wall, with a cloudy sky in the background.

    Louise Bloor

    PERFORMANCE NUTRITIONIST (SENr)

  • A man lifting a barbell at a gym during a CrossFit workout, wearing a black T-shirt with 'WIT CrossFit' printed on it, with a focused expression.

    MATT LEEMING

    HEAD OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING

  • A woman with short dark hair, wearing a black headband, sleeveless gray shirt, black shorts, and a watch, standing outdoors on a rocky path with dry stone walls in the background.

    Barry Shuttleworth

    SPORTS THERAPIST & REHABILITATION

Meet the Teams

Accrington Stanley Women FC First Team

First Team

Women in red and blue soccer uniforms celebrating on a grassy field with a crowd in the background.
Group photo of female athletes and coaches at an awards event, with some holding medals, in an indoor venue with brick walls and sponsor banners in the background.

Open Age Development

A group of young women and girls posing together indoors, with a large screen behind them displaying team information and a logo.
Group of young girls in sports uniforms and casual clothing, some holding trophies, posing for a photo in front of a backdrop with event logos.

U16s

A girls' sports team, mostly in black jerseys, pose with their coaches in a room with dark cabinets. Some girls are holding trophies, and one girl in a red Chiefs sweatshirt is kneeling in front. The team appears happy after a game or tournament.

U15s

U18s

Reserves

Group of young girls posing with trophies at an awards ceremony in front of a backdrop featuring logos of ACCRINGTON STANLEY WOMEN, Sundown, and IMEP.

U12s

A girls sports team in red uniforms posing with medals and trophies on a wooden floor, with adults in formal attire and a backdrop with sponsor logos behind them.

U13s

Group of young female athletes holding trophies at an awards ceremony or sports event.

U14s

A group of young female athletes posing for a team photo indoors, some holding trophies, with a brick wall and sports memorabilia in the background.

U11s

A girls' soccer team wearing red uniforms pose together indoors, holding small trophies, with three adults standing behind them. The setting appears to be a sports award ceremony or team celebration.

U10s

A girls' soccer team and their coaches posing with trophies in a sports locker room or club room, all wearing black jerseys with team logos, some holding trophies, and smiling at the camera.

U9s

Club History

Accrington Stanley Women FC has grown rapidly into a respected force in women’s football. Known for its strong community ties and development focus, the club made headlines in 2023 by reaching the FA Women’s Cup First Round Proper for the first time. That same season, three youth squads reached the Lancashire County Cup finals, highlighting the strength of the pathway system.

In 2023, the club launched the Accrington Stanley Girls Academy — providing 16–19-year-olds with professional coaching alongside academic studies. International recognition followed, with the U18 team selected to represent England in the prestigious Dallas Texans International Girls Cup in 2024.

Supported by partnerships like e.l.f. Beauty and championing inclusivity through events at the Wham Stadium, ASWFC continues to make its mark on and off the field.