The 2023–24 Leicester City W.F.C. season was the club's 20th season of existence and their third season in the Women's Super League, the highest level of the football pyramid. Along with competing in the WSL, the club also contested two domestic cup competitions: the FA Cup and the League Cup.
| 2023–24 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Willie Kirk (suspended from 8 March, sacked on 28 March) Jennifer Foster (interim, from 8 March) | |||
| Stadium | King Power Stadium, Leicester | |||
| WSL | 10th | |||
| FA Cup | Semi-finals | |||
| League Cup | Group stage | |||
| Top goalscorer | League: Jutta Rantala (6) All: Jutta Rantala (10) | |||
| Highest home attendance | 5,211 (vs. Manchester United, 28 April) | |||
| Lowest home attendance | 1,064 (vs. Aston Villa, 19 January) | |||
| Average home league attendance | 2,656 | |||
|
| ||||
On 8 March 2024, manager Willie Kirk was suspended pending an internal investigation over allegations of a relationship with one of the club's players. Assistant manager Jennifer Foster was placed in interim charge.[1] Kirk's permanent dismissal was confirmed on 28 March.[2]
Squad
edit- As of 1 February 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Out on loan
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
Transfers
editTransfers in
edit| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 July 2023 | DF | 
|
Courtney Nevin |  Hammarby
|
[3] |
| 7 July 2023 | GK | 
|
Janina Leitzig | Bayern Munich
|
[4] |
| 10 July 2023 | FW |
|
Lena Petermann |  Montpellier
|
[5] |
| 11 July 2023 | MF | 
|
Janice Cayman | Lyon
|
[6] |
| 1 August 2023 | MF | 
|
Aimee Palmer | Bristol City
|
[7] |
| 16 August 2023 | GK | 
|
Lize Kop | Ajax
|
[8] |
| 25 August 2023 | FW | 
|
Jutta Rantala | Vittsjö GIK
|
[9] |
| 31 August 2023 | DF |
|
Julie Thibaud | Bordeaux
|
[10] |
| 8 September 2023 | FW | 
|
Deanne Rose | Reading
|
[11] |
| 1 January 2024 | MF | 
|
Saori Takarada | Linköping FC
|
[12] |
| 5 January 2024 | FW |
|
Yuka Momiki | Linköping FC
|
[13] |
| 27 January 2024 | MF |
|
Emilia Pelgander | KIF Örebro DFF
|
[14] |
Loans in
edit| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 January 2024 | DF |
|
Asmita Ale | Tottenham Hotspur
|
End of season | [15] |
Transfers out
edit| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 June 2023 | GK |
|
Sophia Poor | Aston Villa
|
[16] |
| 6 June 2023 | DF |
|
Sophie Barker | Sheffield United
|
[17][18] |
| FW |
|
Natasha Flint | Liverpool
|
[17][19] | |
| GK |
|
Kirstie Levell | Burnley
|
[17][20] | |
| MF |
|
Charlie Devlin | Birmingham City
|
[17][21] | |
| FW | 
|
Lachante Paul | Burnley
|
[17][22] | |
| MF |
|
Molly Pike | Southampton
|
[17][23] | |
| FW |
|
Jessica Sigsworth | Sheffield United
|
[17][24] | |
| DF |
|
Abbie McManus | Retired | [17][25] | |
| MF |
|
Connie Scofield | London City Lionesses
|
[17][26] | |
| DF |
|
Jemma Purfield | Southampton
|
[17][27] | |
| FW |
|
Ellen Jones | Sunderland
|
[17][28] | |
| DF |
|
Georgia Eaton-Collins |  HB Køge
|
[17][29] | |
| FW |
|
Mackenzie Smith |  NC State Wolfpack
|
[17][30] | |
| 7 July 2023 | DF |
|
Erin Simon | Retired | [31] |
| 13 July 2023 | DF | 
|
Ashleigh Plumptre |  Al-Ittihad
|
[32][33] |
Loans out
edit| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 September 2023 | GK |
|
Demi Lambourne | Crystal Palace
|
End of season | [34] |
| 3 January 2024 | DF |
|
Jess Reavill[a] | West Bromwich Albion
|
End of season | [35] |
| 15 January 2024 | GK |
|
Holly Mears[a] | Nottingham Forest
|
End of season | [36] |
| 1 February 2024 | MF |
|
Monique Robinson | Burnley
|
End of season | [37] |
Preseason
edit
Women's Super League
editResults summary
edit| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 22 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 26 | 45 | −19 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 24 | −12 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 21 | −7 |
Last updated: 18 May 2024.
Source: WSL
Results by matchday
editResults
edit| 1 October 2023 1 | Bristol City | 2–4 | Leicester City | Bristol |
| 14:00 | Report | Stadium: Ashton Gate Attendance: 4,132 Referee: Elizabeth Simms |
| 8 October 2023 2 | Leicester City | 1–0 | Everton | Leicester |
| 15:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: King Power Stadium Attendance: 2,150 Referee: Stacey Fullicks |
| 15 October 2023 3 | Manchester United | 1–1 | Leicester City | Leigh |
| 12:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Leigh Sports Village Attendance: 4,903 Referee: Adewunmi Soneye |
| 21 October 2023 4 | Leicester City | 0–1 | Manchester City | Leicester |
| 17:15 |
|
Report | Stadium: King Power Stadium Attendance: 2,447 Referee: Farai Hallam |
| 5 November 2023 5 | Liverpool | 2–1 | Leicester City | Birkenhead |
| 14:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Prenton Park Attendance: 1,783 Referee: Phoebe Cross |
| 12 November 2023 6 | Leicester City | 2–6 | Arsenal | Leicester |
| 18:45 | Report | Stadium: King Power Stadium Attendance: 4,179 Referee: Stacey Fullicks |
| 19 November 2023 7 | Leicester City | 1–1 | Tottenham Hotspur | Leicester |
| 15:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: King Power Stadium Attendance: 1,953 Referee: Andy Madley |
| 26 November 2023 8 | Chelsea | 5–2 | Leicester City | Kingston upon Thames |
| 14:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Kingsmeadow Attendance: 2,558 Referee: Marc Wilson |
| 10 December 2023 9 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2–2 | Leicester City | Crawley |
| 14:00 | Report | Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: 1,954 Referee: Melissa Burgin |
| 17 December 2023 10 | Leicester City | 1–1 | West Ham United | Leicester |
| 15:00 | Report | Stadium: King Power Stadium Attendance: 1,521 Referee: Abigail Byrne |
| 19 January 2024 11 | Leicester City | 0–1 | Aston Villa | Burton upon Trent |
| 19:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Pirelli Stadium Attendance: 1,064 Referee: Elizabeth Simms |
| 28 January 2024 12 | Everton | 0–1 | Leicester City | Liverpool |
| 12:30 | Report | Stadium: Walton Hall Park Attendance: 891 Referee: Cheryl Foster |
| 4 February 2024 13 | Manchester City | 2–0 | Leicester City | Manchester |
| 13:00 | Report | Stadium: Academy Stadium Attendance: 3,383 Referee: Lisa Benn |
| 18 February 2024 14 | Leicester City | 5–2 | Bristol City | Leicester |
| 15:00 | Report | Stadium: King Power Stadium Attendance: 2,219 Referee: Stacey Pearson |
| 3 March 2024 15 | Leicester City | 0–4 | Chelsea | Leicester |
| 18:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: King Power Stadium Attendance: 3,101 Referee: Phoebe Cross |
| 17 March 2024 16 | Tottenham Hotspur | 1–0 | Leicester City | Leyton |
| 14:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Brisbane Road Attendance: 1,507 Referee: Adewunmi Soneye |
| 24 March 2024 17 | Leicester City | 2–3 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Leicester |
| 15:00 | Report | Stadium: King Power Stadium Attendance: 2,714 Referee: Cheryl Foster |
| 30 March 2024 18 | Aston Villa | 2–2 | Leicester City | Walsall |
| 12:30 | Report | Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 2,182 Referee: Elizabeth Simms |
| 21 April 2024 19 | Arsenal | 3–0 | Leicester City | Holloway |
| 14:00 | Report | Stadium: Emirates Stadium Attendance: 42,820 Referee: Adewunmi Soneye |
| 28 April 2024 20 | Leicester City | 0–1 | Manchester United | Leicester |
| 15:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: King Power Stadium Attendance: 5,211 Referee: Megan Wilson |
| 5 May 2024 21 | West Ham United | 1–1 | Leicester City | Dagenham |
| 15:00 | Report | Stadium: Victoria Road Attendance: 1,904 Referee: Abigail Byrne |
| 18 May 2024 22 | Leicester City | 0–4 | Liverpool | Leicester |
| 15:00 | Report | Stadium: King Power Stadium Referee: Constantine Hatzidakis |
League table
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Everton | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 24 | 37 | −13 | 23 | |
| 9 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 22 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 26 | 48 | −22 | 19 | |
| 10 | Leicester City | 22 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 26 | 45 | −19 | 18 | |
| 11 | West Ham United | 22 | 3 | 6 | 13 | 20 | 45 | −25 | 15 | |
| 12 | Bristol City (R) | 22 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 20 | 70 | −50 | 6 | Relegation to the Championship |
Source: Women's Super League Table
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored.
(R) Relegated
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored.
(R) Relegated
Women's FA Cup
editAs a member of the first tier, Leicester entered the FA Cup in the fourth round proper.
| 14 January 2024 Fourth round | Derby County | 0–4 | Leicester City | Mickleover |
| 14:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Don Amott Arena Attendance: 911 Referee: Phoebe Cross |
| 10 February 2024 Fifth round | Leicester City | 6–2 | Birmingham City | Burton upon Trent |
| 12:00 | Report | Stadium: Pirelli Stadium Attendance: 609 Referee: Megan Wilson |
| 9 March 2024 Quarter-final | Liverpool | 0–2 | Leicester City | Birkenhead |
| 12:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Prenton Park Referee: Melissa Burgin |
| 14 April 2024 Semi-final | Tottenham Hotspur | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Leicester City | London |
| 12:00 | Report | Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Attendance: 18,078 Referee: Emily Heaslip |
FA Women's League Cup
edit| 11 October 2023 Group Stage | Leicester City | 2–1 | Liverpool | Burton upon Trent |
| 19:00 | Report | Stadium: Pirelli Stadium Attendance: 485 Referee: Lisa Benn |
| 22 November 2023 Group Stage | Manchester City | 2–2 (3–4 p) | Leicester City | Manchester |
| 19:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Academy Stadium Attendance: 1,358 Referee: James Bell | |
| Penalties | ||||
| 14 December 2023 Group Stage | Manchester United | 3–1 | Leicester City | Leigh |
| 19:00 | Report | Stadium: Leigh Sports Village Attendance: 2,068 Referee: Phoebe Cross |
| 24 January 2024 Group Stage | Leicester City | 5–1 | Everton | Leicester |
| 19:00 | Report | Stadium: King Power Stadium Attendance: 231 Referee: Megan Wilson |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester City (Q) | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 7 | +3 | 10 | Advanced to knock-out stage |
| 2 | Manchester United | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 3 | +9 | 9 | Possible knock-out stage based on ranking |
| 3 | Leicester City | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 7 | +3 | 8 | |
| 4 | Liverpool | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 8 | −2 | 3 | |
| 5 | Everton | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 16 | −13 | 0 |
Source: FA Women's League Cup
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of wins; 5) Head-to-head record
(Q) Qualified to the phase indicated
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of wins; 5) Head-to-head record
(Q) Qualified to the phase indicated
Squad statistics
editAppearances
edit- As of match played 18 May 2024
Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances after the + symbol where applicable.
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | WSL | FA Cup | League Cup | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| 1 | GK | GER
|
Janina Leitzig | 18 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | AUS
|
Courtney Nevin | 22 | 1 | 13+3 | 1 | 1+1 | 0 | 3+1 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | ENG
|
Sam Tierney | 30 | 4 | 22 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 4 | DF |  NZL
|
CJ Bott | 26 | 0 | 14+6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 |
| 5 | DF |  SCO
|
Sophie Howard | 29 | 2 | 19+3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 6 | MF | ENG
|
Aimee Palmer | 11 | 2 | 4+3 | 1 | 0+2 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 7 | FW | CAN
|
Deanne Rose | 20 | 3 | 4+11 | 0 | 1+2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 8 | FW | FIN
|
Jutta Rantala | 30 | 10 | 20+2 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 0+4 | 1 |
| 9 | FW | GER
|
Lena Petermann | 26 | 5 | 18+2 | 4 | 2+1 | 1 | 0+3 | 0 |
| 10 | FW | ENG
|
Aileen Whelan | 26 | 3 | 11+8 | 1 | 1+2 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| 11 | MF | BEL
|
Janice Cayman | 29 | 7 | 20+1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3+1 | 1 |
| 12 | DF | ENG
|
Asmita Ale | 8 | 0 | 4+2 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | MF |  WAL
|
Josie Green | 24 | 0 | 11+5 | 0 | 3+1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 15 | MF | JPN
|
Saori Takarada | 17 | 2 | 11+1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 17 | DF | FRA
|
Julie Thibaud | 26 | 0 | 17+3 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 18 | MF | SWE
|
Emilia Pelgander | 10 | 0 | 1+6 | 0 | 1+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | FW | AUS
|
Remy Siemsen | 10 | 0 | 0+6 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 |
| 20 | FW | ENG
|
Missy Goodwin | 23 | 2 | 8+9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3+1 | 1 |
| 21 | FW | WAL
|
Hannah Cain | 10 | 1 | 4+4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1+1 | 1 |
| 23 | GK | NED
|
Lize Kop | 13 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 27 | MF | ENG
|
Shannon O'Brien | 14 | 3 | 8+1 | 0 | 2+1 | 2 | 1+1 | 1 |
| 29 | FW | JPN
|
Yuka Momiki | 17 | 2 | 11+1 | 2 | 2+2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 32 | MF | ENG
|
Ava Baker | 11 | 0 | 0+8 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 |
| 47 | MF | ENG
|
Simone Sherwood | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 49 | FW | ENG
|
Denny Draper | 4 | 1 | 0+4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
References
edit- ^ Wrack, Suzanne (8 March 2024). "Leicester Women investigate manager Willie Kirk over alleged player relationship". The Guardian.
- ^ "Leicester sack Kirk after relationship allegation". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Leicester sign full-back Nevin on permanent deal". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Janina Leitzig completes LCFC Women return". Leicester City F.C. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
- ^ "LCFC Women sign German international Lena Petermann". 10 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ "Janice Cayman switches to LCFC Women". Leicester City F.C. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ Frith, Wilf (1 August 2023). "Leicester City Women sign midfielder Aimee Palmer". She Kicks.
- ^ "LCFC Women Confirm Lize Kop Signing". Leicester City FC. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ^ "LCFC Women sign Finland international Jutta Rantala". Leicester City F.C. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ "Julie Thibaud signs for LCFC Women". Leicester City FC. 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Deanne Rose agrees LCFC Women move". Leicester City FC. 8 September 2023.
- ^ "Saori Takarada Signs Pre-Contract With LCFC Women". Leicester City F.C. 8 December 2023.
- ^ "LCFC Women Sign Japan International Yuka Momiki". Leicester City F.C. 5 January 2024.
- ^ "Emilia Pelgander Makes Leicester Switch". Leicester City F.C. 27 January 2024.
- ^ "Asmita Ale completes LCFC Women loan". Leicester City FC. 24 January 2024.
- ^ "Aston Villa Women squad numbers for 2023/24". Aston Villa Football Club. 24 August 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "LCFC Women Confirm End-Of-Season Departures". Leicester City FC.
- ^ "Sheffield United women announce 'full-time' plan". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Liverpool sign striker Flint from Leicester City". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Levell is a claret". Burnley Football Club. 18 August 2023.
- ^ "Blues sign Charlie Devlin". Birmingham City Football Club.
- ^ "Duo sign for Burnley FC Women". www.burnleyfootballclub.com.
- ^ "Molly Pike joins Saints following Leicester City exit". Daily Echo. 20 July 2023.
- ^ Frith, Wilf (21 July 2023). "Sheffield United Women sign Jess Sigsworth".
- ^ "Former Lionesses defender McManus retires aged 30". BBC Sport.
- ^ Frith, Wilf (21 July 2023). "London City Lionesses sign midfielder Connie Scofield".
- ^ "Southampton FC Women sign experienced defender Jemma Purfield". www.southamptonfc.com.
- ^ "Ellen Jones joins the Lasses". Sunderland Association Football Club. 1 August 2023.
- ^ Ebbesen, Anders (22 July 2023). "Welcome Georgia". HB Køge (in Danish).
- ^ "NC State women's soccer adds four freshmen to 2023 signing class". SoccerWire.
- ^ "LCFC Women defender Erin Simon announces retirement". Leicester City FC. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
- ^ "Ashleigh Plumptre departs Leicester City". Leicester City FC. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
- ^ "Ashleigh Plumptre: Former England youth international signs for Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad Ladies". Sky Sports.
- ^ "Demi Lambourne completes Crystal Palace loan switch". Leicester City FC. 28 September 2023.
- ^ "Jess Reavill links up with West Brom on dual-registration loan". Leicester City FC. 3 January 2024.
- ^ "Dual-Registration Loan For Holly Mears". Leicester City FC. 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Monique Robinson Joins Burnley On Loan". Leicester City FC. 1 February 2024.