Leanne Ross achieves Glasgow City legendary status
LEADING the team out on to the field on Sunday was Glasgow City Vice Captain Leanne Ross. Not only did Leanne help marshal her side to a 3-0 victory over Celtic, but she started her 100th Premier League match for the club.
Leanne first joined City back in July 2007 and since then has won six League titles, three League Cups and three Scottish Cups. She has played every position in a City shirt with the exception of goalkeeper and only six other City players, past and present, have ever started more games than this true Glasgow City legend.
Captain this season with the absence of Rachel Corsie through injury, Leanne is a true leader and will without doubt be one of the most revered players ever to wear the City orange.
Rachel Corsie and Leanne Ross (right) lift the Scottish Cup. Photo by Graeme Berry
Speaking of her achievement, Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black said: “Considering the women’s league only plays 20 - 22 matches then it really shows a remarkable consistency to be selected that often at this club in just under six years.
"Leanne is mentally very strong and tactically aware, so much so she has filled in a number of areas for us throughout her time here. It takes a strong character to play in a team where the demands are so high.
"There are also a lot of big personalities in this dressing room and the environment can swallow you up if you are not performing. Therefore it’s to her immense credit that she continues to reach new landmarks at this stage of her career.
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A Different League: Where next in the evolution of women's football?
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My mentality was always wanting to play football and nothing was never, ever going to stop this" - Stephanie Houghton, Arsenal & England
A Different League: Where Next in the Evolution of Women's Football? is a feature length documentary focusing on the success, development and future of the women's game played in England.
Produced by Plus44 Films, A Different League joins women's football after the phenomenal success of the London 2012 Olympic games. With extensive access to leading figures within the women's game at the Football Association, as well as in-depth focus on Arsenal Ladies and Charlton Athletic Women, ADL kicks opens the door to women's football as never seen before.
"If I could sum up what the Olympics did for women's football in one word... It would be empowerment" - Andy Brassell, European football expert, BBC, ESPN, Talksport
Over a six-month production period, ADL follows Arsenal Ladies, undoubtedly the most successful England women's side in history, as new manager Shelley Kerr* prepares to defend their Women's Super League title, and win the UEFA Women's Champions League in their home city of London**.
Interviews with England internationals Stephanie Houghton, Jordan Nobbs and England's highest-capped player, Rachel Yankey will give the viewer an unrivalled insight into the lives of these players and the sacrifices made to climb to the highest level of women's football. Along with first team manager Shelley Kerr, they talk about their past experiences playing the game, and where they see it progressing to in the future.
"I joined England when I was 12 and I think as soon as that happened… I knew that was a massive career" - Jordan Nobbs, Arsenal and England
ADL also follows Charlton Athletic Women, managed by Bill Long and captained by former England Under-23 international Kim Dixson, as they claim the London FA Women's Cup***. ADL gained exclusive access to Charlton Women's Premier League fixtures and training sessions, and interviewed Bill Long, Kim Dixson and first-team regulars Rosie Paye and Courtney Gibson who give further insight into being a part of the FA Women’s Premier League.
My mentality was always wanting to play football and nothing was never, ever going to stop this" - Stephanie Houghton, Arsenal & EnglandA Different League: Where Next in the Evolution of Women's Football? is a feature length documentary focusing on the success, development and future of the women's game played in England.
Produced by Plus44 Films, A Different League joins women's football after the phenomenal success of the London 2012 Olympic games. With extensive access to leading figures within the women's game at the Football Association, as well as in-depth focus on Arsenal Ladies and Charlton Athletic Women, ADL kicks opens the door to women's football as never seen before.
"If I could sum up what the Olympics did for women's football in one word... It would be empowerment" - Andy Brassell, European football expert, BBC, ESPN, Talksport
Over a six-month production period, ADL follows Arsenal Ladies, undoubtedly the most successful England women's side in history, as new manager Shelley Kerr* prepares to defend their Women's Super League title, and win the UEFA Women's Champions League in their home city of London**.
Interviews with England internationals Stephanie Houghton, Jordan Nobbs and England's highest-capped player, Rachel Yankey will give the viewer an unrivalled insight into the lives of these players and the sacrifices made to climb to the highest level of women's football. Along with first team manager Shelley Kerr, they talk about their past experiences playing the game, and where they see it progressing to in the future.
"I joined England when I was 12 and I think as soon as that happened… I knew that was a massive career" - Jordan Nobbs, Arsenal and England
A Different League - Official Trailer from +44 Films on Vimeo.
ADL also follows Charlton Athletic Women, managed by Bill Long and captained by former England Under-23 international Kim Dixson, as they claim the London FA Women's Cup***. ADL gained exclusive access to Charlton Women's Premier League fixtures and training sessions, and interviewed Bill Long, Kim Dixson and first-team regulars Rosie Paye and Courtney Gibson who give further insight into being a part of the FA Women’s Premier League.
Hamilton Ladies go international
HAMILTON Accies Ladies went international this week when Scotland hosted the second qualifying round of the U19's European Championships. Accies stars Megan Cunningham and Carolina Richardson were part of a very talented young Scottish side which agonisingly missed out on qualification on goal difference.
Hamilton manager Kevin Murphy is also the co-manager of the national side's U19s alongside Michelle Barr.
Scotland finished second in group three alongside Austria, Denmark and Ukraine. After an opening 1-0 defeat to the Danish side the Scots went on to claim two victories including a hard fought 4-2 win over Ukraine at New Douglas Park.
Young Hamilton goalkeeper Cunningham was delighted to be representing her country with the added incentive of playing in front of a home crowd.
Young Hamilton goalkeeper Cunningham was delighted to be representing her country with the added incentive of playing in front of a home crowd.
Gordon Parks gets his boots on after women's football article
GORDON Parks caused quite the stir last week with his Daily Record article on women's football.
After the backlash, and some persuasion from the Accies' Helen Templeton, Parks came along to join Hamilton Ladies at training on Thursday night.
Templeton (Dibsy to her team-mates) contacted The Record and invited him down, urging the sports writer to come see what women's football was really all about.
Templeton (Dibsy to her team-mates) contacted The Record and invited him down, urging the sports writer to come see what women's football was really all about.
Word quickly spread throughout the Accies camps, with the premier side being joined by the U17s and many of the backroom staff turning out to put on a show for Parks.
They hoped to change his perceptions and opinions on the “ladies’ version of a game played in men’s shorts”.
After the meet and greet with everyone involved with the club, Parks changed into his boots, ready to be thrown into the lions’ den. With three bases set up at Ravenscraig, Parks took part in the circuit, involving passing and running drills, of which he appeared to be struggling to keep up with the high standard that the Accies Ladies had to offer.
After the meet and greet with everyone involved with the club, Parks changed into his boots, ready to be thrown into the lions’ den. With three bases set up at Ravenscraig, Parks took part in the circuit, involving passing and running drills, of which he appeared to be struggling to keep up with the high standard that the Accies Ladies had to offer.
A sheepish Parks faced the music at Hamilton's training session Photo courtesy of Hamilton Ladies
With a grilling both on and off the pitch for Parks, it was clear he had been impressed with the setup of the club, and after being put through the paces already, he then took part in a training game.
There was no doubt amongst the club that Parks coming to the training session was a great opportunity for Accies, with staff from the Daily Record also attending to produce video and print content, the women had the chance to showcase their talents and women’s football to Parks and the Record’s readership.
Youth set-up is way forward for Raith Rovers Ladies
WITH Raith Rovers Ladies having already dived head first into pre-season, they're planning to ensure they're still here in 25 years.Last season was a testing one for the club, but player-manager Pauline Harley says a flurishing youth system could be set to launch a new era for the Fifers.
Harley is currently in her fourth spell with the oldest affiliated women’s team in the country (approximately 25 years), and also coaches the club’s under 15 side.
The team - who train twice a week in Kirkcaldy - have so far knocked up one win, one draw, and two losses in preseason friendlies, however, with changes to the set-up from last season, Harley sees a way forward for the club.
She said: “The Ladies suffered last season as a result of a previous lack of interest in the importance of girls’ football in club development.
The team - who train twice a week in Kirkcaldy - have so far knocked up one win, one draw, and two losses in preseason friendlies, however, with changes to the set-up from last season, Harley sees a way forward for the club.
She said: “The Ladies suffered last season as a result of a previous lack of interest in the importance of girls’ football in club development.
"The girls and ladies amalgamated last year. From the age of 5, girls can play football to their pleasure.”