The England women's national under-23 football team, also known as England women Under-23s or England women U23(s), is an association football team operated under the auspices of The Football Association. Since 2021, it has replaced the now defunct England women's under-21 team.
| Nickname(s) | The Young Lionesses | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | The Football Association | ||
| Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | ||
| Head coach | Emma Coates | ||
| FIFA code | ENG | ||
| |||
| Nordic Cup | |||
| Appearances | 5 (first in 2004) | ||
| Best result | Third (2005) | ||
Its primary role is the development of players in preparation for the senior England women's national football team. As long as they were eligible, players can play for England at any level, making it possible to play for the U23s, senior side, and again for the U23s, as Natasha Dowie, Rachel Williams and Danielle Buet have in the 2008–2018 era, as well as Katie Robinson, Jess Park, Maya Le Tissier and Ebony Salmon in the current era.[1] In 2005 Casey Stoney played for the team in the Nordic Cup, despite already having 30 caps at senior level.[2] It is also possible to play for one country at youth level and another at senior level (providing the player is eligible). Helen Lander and Kylie Davies decided to play for Wales at senior level after playing for England U23s, while Sophie Perry elected to play for Ireland.
History
editBeginnings
editIn February 1987 the Women's Football Association (WFA) appointed Liz Deighan to run a women's national under-21 team. Deighan had been a star midfielder in the England team which reached the 1984 European Competition for Women's Football. Four years later Deighan was not re–appointed and John Bilton took over. The team folded shortly afterwards because the WFA had run out of money. Eight of England's squad at the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup had come through Deighan's U-21 team, including Pauline Cope, Karen Burke and Louise Waller.[3]
FA sanctioned team
editIn summer 2004, The Football Association (FA) decided to reconstitute the U-21 team in order to give women a higher level of play to better prepare them for the full national team. Senior team manager Hope Powell held a four-day camp in Shropshire and announced: "This is a major step forward for our international teams and will bridge the gap between Under-19 and Senior levels. We have been observing players in this age bracket for the last six months and with the clubs' assistance I believe we can make this a real success."[4] Powell installed her full-time assistant with the senior team, Brent Hills, as coach of the team, which remained an U-21 selection from 2004 through 2008.
Competing as an U-23 team (2008–2018)
edit2008 saw the change of England's youth national women's team moved to the U-23 level. The move was made by the FA in response to age-level changes FIFA had made to its oldest women's youth competition, now named FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. The age limit was raised from being a U-19 tournament to a U-20 tournament. This adjustment, coupled with a newly introduced U-23 age limit to the Nordic Cup, prompted the FA to rethink and eventually change the youth development team. The team continues to serve as a stepping-stone for players to the England women's national team. Brent Hills explained that it had become more of a challenge to break into the senior team: "When I started, if you were an extremely talented 18-year-old you may have been able to get into the senior team. I'll give you an example, Fara Williams. You would have to be the next Kelly Smith now to be able to do that."[5]
England U23s did not have a permanent home. When England hosted a tournament in 2010, the event was held at University of Warwick where it was possible to attend and watch without a ticket. Because of the smaller demand compared to the senior women's national team, much smaller grounds could be used.
The team's last competitive tournament was the 2012 Four Nations Tournament, in which England finished third. They also competed in a variety of competitions, including the annual Nordic Cup, which was previously the top competition for this age group.[6]
Move to U-21 system (2018–2021)
editIn a bid to better aid the transition between the youth pathway and senior football, the FA announced in September 2018 that they were scrapping the U23s and U20s levels in order to form an Under-21s age group, which would become the top tier of the nation's professional development phase. The move would align England's structure to that used in other European countries to allow for more age-appropriate games and better manage individual player development post-U20 World Cup for those who have genuine senior team potential. The then U20s manager Mo Marley was announced as head coach.
Return of U-23 level (2021–present)
editIn October 2021, the FA announced the return of an under-23 team as newly appointed senior manager Sarina Wiegman looked to increase international playing opportunities for promising players in the senior pathway, particularly those who had aged out of the under-21 squad. Mo Marley was appointed head coach and tasked with also mentoring Emma Coates and Fara Williams as coaches.[7] The move came off the back of the cancellation of two editions of the UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship and one FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, further limiting opportunities for youth international experience.[8]
In July 2023, a new U23 European League was announced for the 2023–2024 season, from September 2023 until April 2024. The league features nine European teams; England, Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. With the difficulty of transitioning from the under-19 team to the senior team, England women's technical director, Kay Cossington, wants the team to be "really connected with the senior team".[1]
In the summer of 2023, further coaches were added to the squad; Remi Allen, Anita Asante, and former Aston Villa manager Gemma Davies.[9] In April 2024, the under-23 team ended the U23 European League unbeaten, while competing against eight national teams.[10]
Current players
editThe following 24 players were named to the squad for the European U23 Leagues match against 
Netherlands on 24 October 2024.[11]
On 21 October, Missy Goodwin and Maisie Symonds withdrew due to injury and were replaced by Freya Godfrey and Ashanti Akpan.[12]
Names in italics denote players who have been capped for the senior team.
Head coach: Emma Coates
Recent call-ups
editThe following players have also been called up to the England squad within the last 12 months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Lucy Thomas | 21 March 2000 | - | - |  Birmingham City
|
v.  Sweden, 4 April 2024
|
| GK | Emily Ramsey | 16 November 2000 | - | - | Everton
|
v.  Spain, 4 December 2023
|
| DF | Neve Herron | 27 June 2003 | - | - | Birmingham City
|
v. Sweden, 4 April 2024
|
| DF | Ella Morris | 23 September 2002 | - | - | Tottenham Hotspur
|
v. Sweden, 4 April 2024
|
| DF | Poppy Pattinson | 30 April 2000 | - | - | Brighton & Hove Albion
|
v. Sweden, 4 April 2024
|
| DF | Kiera Skeels | 20 November 2001 | - | - | Charlton Athletic
|
v. Sweden, 4 April 2024
|
| DF | Mia Ross | 28 April 2003 | - | - | Charlton Athletic
|
v. Sweden, 4 April 2024 INJ
|
| DF | Naomi Layzell | 29 February 2004 | - | - | Manchester City
|
v. Netherlands, 26 February 2024
|
| MF | Maisie Symonds | 2 February 2003 | - | - | Brighton & Hove Albion
|
v. Netherlands, 24 October 2024 INJ
|
| MF | Molly Pike | 22 January 2001 | - | - | Southampton
|
v. Sweden, 4 April 2024
|
| MF | Jess Park | 21 October 2001 | - | - | Manchester City
|
v. Spain, 4 December 2023
|
| FW | Missy Goodwin | 27 January 2003 | - | - | Leicester City
|
v. Netherlands, 24 October 2024 INJ
|
| FW | Aggie Beever-Jones | 27 July 2003 | - | - | Chelsea
|
v. Sweden, 4 April 2024
|
| FW | Jessica Naz | 24 September 2000 | - | - | Tottenham Hotspur
|
v. Sweden, 4 April 2024
|
| FW | Ebony Salmon | 27 January 2001 | - | - | Aston Villa
|
v. Sweden, 4 April 2024
|
| FW | Shannon O'Brien | 5 October 2001 | - | - | Leicester City
|
v. Netherlands, 26 February 2024
|
| ||||||
Recent schedule and results
edit2023
edit| 21 September 2023 European U23 League | Norway  | 1–1 | England | Bryne, Norway |
| 17:30 | Report |
|
Stadium: Bryne Stadion |
| 25 September 2023 European U23 League | England | 3–0 |  Belgium | Shrewsbury, England |
| 18:45 |
|
Report | Stadium: New Meadow Attendance: 2,500+ |
| 26 October 2023 European U23 League | Italy  | 1–1 | England | Vercelli, Italy |
|
Report | Stadium: Stadio Silvio Piola |
| 30 October 2023 European U23 League | England | 2–0 |  Portugal | Manchester, England |
| 19:00 GMT | Report |
|
Stadium: Academy Stadium, Attendance: 1,449 |
| 30 November 2023 European U23 League | France  | 0–1 | England | Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, France |
| Report |
|
Stadium: INF Clairefontaine |
| 4 December 2023 European U23 League | England | 1–1 | Spain | Burton upon Trent, England |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: St George's Park | |
| Note: Venued changed from Pirelli Stadium due to waterlogged pitch. | ||||
2024
edit| 22 February 2024 Friendly | Spain | 3–1 | England | Marbella, Spain |
| 11:00 GMT | Report |
|
Stadium: Banús Football Centre |
| 26 February 2024 European U23 League | Netherlands | 1–1 | England | Marbella, Spain |
| 12:00 GMT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Banús Football Centre |
| 4 April 2024 European U23 League | England | 3–1 | Sweden | Wellington, England |
| Report |
|
Stadium: New Bucks Head Attendance: 2,335 |
| 24 October 2024 2024/25 European U23 League Group Stage | Netherlands | 1-1 | England | Velp, Netherlands |
| 17:00 BST | 1-1 | Stadium: EGS'20 |
| 29 October 2024 2024/25 European U23 League Group Stage | England | 1-0 | Portugal | Shrewsbury, England |
| 17:30 GMT | 1-0 | Stadium: New Meadow |
Coaching history
edit
Liz Deighan (1987–1992)- Brent Hills (2004–2013)
- Marieanne Spacey (2013–2018)
- Mo Marley (2021–2023)
- Emma Coates (2023–present)
References
edit- ^ a b "England WU23s' new season schedule revealed". England Football. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
- ^ "Nordic challenge for U21s". The Football Association. 29 June 2005. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ^ Lopez 1997, p. 68
- ^ "Soccer: Heatherson looks for England place". Evening Echo. 16 June 2004. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
- ^ "U23s begin 'rigorous programme'". The Football Association. 7 July 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ^ "The Official Site of U.S. Soccer – U-23 WNT". Archived from the original on 2 January 2009.
- ^ Association, The Football. "England Women's U23s squad named for Belgium trip in October 2021". englandfootball.com.
- ^ Frith, Wilf (18 November 2020). "FIFA U-20 and U-17 Women's World Cups cancelled". SheKicks.
- ^ Sanders, Emma (13 November 2023). "England Under-23s thriving with Wiegman support". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ Frith, Wilf (5 April 2024). "England Women's U-23s win to end European League campaign unbeaten". She Kicks. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ McHugh, Beth (16 October 2024). "England WU23s squad named for October games". England Football.
- ^ "England squad updates: WU23s and WU19s changes". England Football. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
Bibliography
edit- Lopez, Sue (1997). Women on the Ball: A Guide to Women's Football. London, England: Scarlet Press. ISBN 1857270169.