West Ham United women are aiming to consolidate their position this year

By Piper Bradford-Reynolds

two women footballers clash on the pitch — Photo: West Ham United

This month we expand our coverage of West Ham United – both men and women. We welcome two new correspondents, Edward Otto and Piper Bradford-Reynolds from the University of East London Department of journalism, who will provide player profiles and a regular review of how West Ham are performing in the top flight of women’s football

West Ham United women are aiming to make 2024 another year of steady progress as they consolidate their position in the Womens Super League, the highest league in English womens football.

The team were founded in 1991 and played their first friendly in 1992. With consecutive third place finishes in the league, the team was promoted to play in Division One for the 1995/96 season. In the same year they also entered the Women’s FA Cup and had their first international player within the squad, England goalkeeper, Claire Lacey.

The 1998/99 season saw the team reach their first final in the Russel Cup and earn promotion into the Greater London League Premier Division, where they made an immediate impact finishing as runners up and claiming the title the year after. Following continuous improvements, the 2008/9 season was the year they lifted their first major trophy, the Essex FA County Cup. The next few seasons saw the Hammers fight relegation, narrowly miss out on promotions and continue their campaigns in various FA Cups.

In 2018, the Hammers were promoted to the WSL where they currently sit 11th in the table, with hopes of finishing in a mid-table position. However, they are in the midst of a run of tough matches as they prepare to face Tottenham on 21 January.

Nevertheless, the team is aiming high for this year and with the January transfer window approaching, manager Rehanne Skinner will be looking to bring in new talent to strengthen their squad.

In future issues, full player profiles will be available for the squad members, starting with Lisa Evans and Mackenzie Arnold. Look out for their profiles in the February issue.

The Hammers play their home matches at the Chigwell Construction Stadium in Dagenham.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.whufc.com/tickets/womensteam-matches

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