Gwalia United is a Welsh women's football club playing in the FAWNL Southern Premier Division. The club was renamed Gwalia United prior to the start of the 2024–25 season.[1] Prior to this, the club was most recently called Cardiff City Ladies F.C. but has also played as Llanedeyrn L.F.C., Inter Cardiff F.C. and Cardiff County L.F.C.[2]
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| Founded | 1975, as Llanedeyrn LFC | |||
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| Ground | Newport Stadium, Newport | |||
| Capacity | 5,058 (3,246 seated) | |||
| Owner | Michele Adams, Julian Jenkins & Damien Singh | |||
| Club Chairwoman | Michele Adams MBE | |||
| Manager | Fern Burrage-Male | |||
| 2023–24 | FA Women's National League South, 8th of 12 | |||
| Website | https://gwaliaunited.com | |||
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History
editThe club was founded in 1975 as Llanedeyrn L.F.C. after a local charity match.[3] In 1981 the name was changed to Cardiff L.F.C., and in 1993 the club linked up with Inter Cardiff F.C. and started playing at the Cardiff Athletic Stadium.[citation needed] In 1997, the connection with Inter Cardiff was terminated and the club changed its name to Cardiff County L.F.C while affiliating with the Cardiff County Council.[citation needed] In 2001 the club began affiliating with Cardiff City, the professional men’s club from the same city.[4]
At the beginning of the 2003 season, however, the club severed its connection with its male counterpart when its members voted against the men’s club's proposals and its operations became an independent outfit again.[5] Although they were allowed to keep use of the Cardiff City name and kit colours, their crest is very different, and no longer uses the famous moniker 'Bluebirds', incorporating the Welsh red dragon instead.
In 2006 Cardiff City Ladies won the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division and were promoted to the National Division for the first time.[6] Relegated in the 2007–08 season, the club again were promoted to the National Division in 2010–11.[7]
In the 2021/2022 season, Cardiff City Ladies were relegated from the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division and were demoted to the National Division. Club Chair Michele Adams said "We'll be back!" and in the following season; 2022/2023, the Dragons returned to the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division at the first time of asking.
Dragons Training Centre
editIn 2022 the club opened their youth training centre for girls aged 6–16.[8]
The Dragons Training Centre uses the Soccer Profile to measure and track players' progress, enabling them to develop their technical skills. The sessions run at the centre are open to all players regardless of team affiliation or ability.
The centre is based at the FAW facility, Amdani Hi @ Ocean Way. This is a pioneering hub for women's and girls' football, funded by the FAW.[9]
First-team squad
edit- As of 11 August 2024.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Former players
editHonours
edit- Welsh Women's Cup (11): 1995, 2003 to 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016[10]
Record in UEFA competitions
editReferences
edit- ^ "Cardiff City Ladies to be renamed Gwalia United". BBC Sport. 1 March 2024.
- ^ "About us". Gwalia United.
- ^ Feringa, Megan (2022-08-22). "Rediscovering Wales' prolific football star factory that's got a new beginning". WalesOnline. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
- ^ Matheson, Sian (2015-06-18). "How a Cardiff carnival led to the creation of a successful women's football side". WalesOnline. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
- ^ Matheson, Sian (2015-06-18). "How a Cardiff carnival led to the creation of a successful women's football side". WalesOnline. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
- ^ "The FA Women's National League". fulltime.thefa.com. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
- ^ "Cardiff City Ladies win promotion". BBC. 8 May 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ "Dragons Training Centre". www.dragonstrainingcentre.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
- ^ "FAW / ENVIRONMENTS: FOR HER". www.faw.cymru. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
- ^ "She Kicks - News Section: Cardiff City FC Win Welsh Cup". Archived from the original on 2016-05-08. Retrieved 2016-04-21.