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Lore & Background

Leicester City Women won promotion back into the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division in 2016 winning a record 22 games out of 22. After finishing third and second in the Northern Division in 2017 and 2018 respectively, Leicester City Women applied to take part in the inaugural FA Women's Championship season (2018–19). The Foxes had their bid accepted as announced by the Football Association in May 2018. Leicester City Women also run a Reserves team and the Leicester City Women Development Centre. The development centre expanded at the beginning of the 2017/18 season and caters for under-9s, 10s, 11s, 12s, 13s 14s, 15s, 16s and 18s.

In Their Own Story

The transition from regional dominance to national competition began in May 2018 when the Football Association announced Leicester City Women had secured one of five new licenses for the inaugural FA Women's Championship season. This marked their return to the second tier after an eight-year absence. Their debut campaign started strongly with a 2–0 away win against Crystal Palace, eventually finishing seventh. The following season saw them navigate a stuttering start before finding form with a four-game unbeaten run in early 2020, securing sixth place before the COVID-19 pandemic cut the season short. Cup success returned alongside league progress; they reached their first Women's FA Cup quarter-final via an extra-time victory over Reading. The acquisition by King Power on 22 August 2020 accelerated this trajectory, bringing full professionalism and high-profile signings like Natasha Flint. Their rise culminated in a title-winning season: on 4 April 2021, a 2–0 win over London City Lionesses secured the Championship and promotion to the top flight. They made their WSL debut on 4 September 2021, eventually finishing 11th and retaining their status despite early struggles against rivals like Aston Villa.

Reader's Guide

Founded in 2004, Leicester City Women achieved four successive promotions in their first four seasons, winning the Leicestershire County League, Unison East Midlands Southern League, Unison East Midlands Premier and Midland's Combination League to gain promotion into the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division (second tier) in 2008. Cup success also came early with Leicester winning their first of 7 consecutive Leicestershire & Rutland County FA Cup's in 2006, as well as winning their respective League Cup's in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Leicester also reached the Fifth Round of the 2007–08 Women's FA Cup before being beaten by top-tier side Everton. The Foxes finished 5th in their first season in the Northern Division (Second Tier), then going on to finish third in the 2009–10 season before the newly created FA Women's Super League came into effect as the new top tier meant the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division became a third-tier league. Leicester had applied to join the FA Women's Super League in December 2009, but in March 2010 they were announced as a losing bidder for the inaugural season. Leicester consolidated themselves in the third tier with two more back-to-back 3rd-place finishes in the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons, as well as maintaining their Leicestershire County Cup run of success, winning their 6th and 7th consecutive trophies in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Leicester City Women suffered their first on-pitch relegation in May 2013, finishing bottom of the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division having picked up just four points from 16 games. The club hired Stuart Wilson as Manager as they looked for an immediate return to the third tier. Unfortunately, the club lost out on promotion to Copsewood FC (Copsewood became Nuneaton Town Ladies before folding) Leicester City WFC did, however, regain the County Cup having lost in the final the previous season. When Stuart Wilson left in the Summer of 2014, Reserves manager Jonathan Morgan stepped up to take charge of First Team affairs in a 'Management Trio' along with James and Ryan who also stepped up from the Reserves. Halfway through the season, with the club sitting second, but eight points behind the leaders Loughborough Foxes, chairman, and father of Jonathan, Rohan Morgan felt a change in Management was needed and Jonathan Morgan was given the sole responsibility whilst James and R

Did You Know?

• Leicester City Women won a record 22 league games out of 22 in the 2015–16 season.
• The club was bought by King Power, the parent company of Leicester City men's club, on 22 August 2020.
• Leicester City Women reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in the 2023–24 season.

Founding and Early Dominance

Established in 2004, Leicester City Women achieved four successive promotions in their first four seasons, moving through the Leicestershire County League, Unison East Midlands Southern League, Unison East Midlands Premier, and Midland's Combination League to reach the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division (then second tier) by 2008. They won seven consecutive Leicestershire & Rutland County FA Cups starting in 2006 and claimed League Cup titles in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Despite finishing fifth in their first season at this level and third in 2009–10, they applied for the inaugural Women's Super League in December 2009 but were unsuccessful in March 2010. They consolidated in the third tier with back-to-back third-place finishes in 2010–11 and 2011–12.

Resilience and Record-Breaking Promotion

The club suffered their first on-pitch relegation in May 2013, finishing bottom of the Northern Division with just four points from 16 games. After a brief struggle under new management, Jonathan Morgan took sole charge. The 2015–16 season saw an unprecedented turnaround: Leicester won all 22 league matches to secure promotion back to the Northern Division. This record-breaking campaign included a 10–0 win over Rotherham United Ladies and a dramatic 91st-minute winner by Helen Busby away to Wolves. They finished third in their return season (2016–17) and second in 2017–18, with Rosie Axten finishing as the Northern Division's top goalscorer.

Return to National Prominence

In May 2018, Leicester City Women were awarded a license for the inaugural FA Women's Championship (second tier), returning eight years after leaving. They opened their campaign with a 2–0 away victory over Crystal Palace and finished seventh. The 2019–20 season ended in sixth place due to pandemic truncation, but cup runs flourished; they reached their first Women's FA Cup quarter-final after beating Reading 2–1 in extra time. On 4 April 2021, a 2–0 win over London City Lionesses secured the Championship title and promotion to the FA Women's Super League. They debuted in the top flight on 4 September 2021 against Aston Villa.

Ownership Changes and Youth Infrastructure

On 22 August 2020, King Power acquired Leicester City Women, ending their status as an independent club with informal cooperation to the men's side. The team became fully professional immediately, winning their first match under new ownership 3–0 against Blackburn Rovers on 6 September 2020. Beyond the first team, the club expanded its development infrastructure significantly at the start of the 2017/18 season. The Leicester City Women Development Centre now caters to players aged from under-9s through to under-18s, ensuring a robust pathway for youth talent alongside their Reserves team.