CORINTHIAN-CASUALS LADIES

In 2002 it became apparent that ladies and girls football teams were becoming more and more sought after and, after receiving 30 applications from girls in the local area, three girls teams were formed within the youth section (U12s, U14s and U15s) and were registered with the Surrey County Girls League. The U14s won their first Cup Final against Meadow Sports, scoring the winning goal just five minutes before the end of the match. The U14s, under the guidance of the previous manager, were the only team to bring home the silver.

Playing as U15s last season they had rather a rocky start. With no manager and no coach quite a few good players were lost to other teams and, just hours before the team was disbanded, two parents volunteered to keep the team together. After a period of doubt and uncertainty on both sides, the girls grew in confidence and settled down to play the game they love.

On 12th April 2004 the U15 Girls represented Corinthian-Casuals Youth FC at the American Friendly game against Taughannock Soccer Club Lady Raiders, New York State. The result was 3-1 to Corinthian-Casuals.

Back row: L. Hollobone, G. Jones, F. Fernandez, K. Offen, K. French-Wollen, S. Harding, A. Kountouros, K. Duffin Front row: L. Page, K. Johncock, C. Pepperrell, L. Marshall, K. Robson, C. Alderton

Greater London Regional Womens Football League
At the end of the season the team reached another hurdle - a lack of youth leagues available in which Under 16 girls could play. After a lot of thought and discussion the management, the players and the parents agreed that we would enter a Ladies league. The Ladies team was formed during the closed season of 2004 as a result.

The management and the Corinthian-Casuals Honorary Youth Secretary, Anne Burnell, approached the league for membership. As 15 year-olds the girls were thought to be a little young to play as ladies but, following a meeting with the league officials who knew of our historic club and of the Corinthian spirit for which we are renowned, they were granted the opportunity to join as they had proven to be a strong, committed team of players. Corinthian-Casuals Ladies FC was registered with the GLRWFL Division 4 West and affiliated to the Surrey FA.

GLRWFL Division 4 West Season 2004-05
Season 2004-2005 saw the newly formed Ladies vying for the Championship of GLWRFL Division 4 West against teams of varying quality, skills, fitness and age. It soon became clear that their biggest threat was to come from Wandsworth Westside or Morden United. The season closed on a high note for the Ladies by beating Championship rivals Wandsworth Westside 9 - 0. The Ladies finished the season with the following stats: P16, W16, D0, L0, GF135, GA4, PTS48.

People were now looking at the Corinthian-Casuals Ladies as a serious team. Players from other teams were approaching us to join the squad for next season, and the League have received e-mails from teams we have played, praising our talent, spirit and hospitality, even when we lost in the League Cup 3rd Round.

Comments such as: "The Corinthians, their players and management, displayed attitudes and qualities that went beyond what we would expect from any club. The players' attitude on the pitch was exemplary. As a club we usually pride ourselves in promoting a fair and positive attitude on (and off) the pitch, but on that day I am embarrassed to say that if attitude had decided the outcome of the game, we would have lost to the Corinthian-Casuals Ladies." (Anne-Sophie Brieussel, Club Secretary, Hackney Womens FC)

GLWFL Division 2 Season 2005-06
In season 2005-06 the Ladies played in Division 2 South of the GLWFL. Although the bulk of the squad had left for other clubs (Chelsea Ladies, Fulham Academy & Crystal Palace) new players were recruited and we held our own finishing just above relegation.

GLWFL Division 2 South Season 2006-07
In 2006-07 we managed to strengthen our squad and signed a new goalkeeper, Beccy Musial, coming out of retirement from Fulham and England. This signing attracted more players and the Ladies went on to win Division 2 South and the League Cup.

GLWFL Division 1 Season 2007-08
For the season 2007-08 we managed to sign ex-Charlton & England goalkeeper Toni-Anne Wayne who has also agreed to take over as the new manager. However this partnership did not last long as Toni-Anne returned to Charlton, once their funding and resurrection from the ashes was confirmed. Unfortunately she took with her Beccy and Jade Johnson. This affected the team's moral and led to a number of strange results. On one occasion the team played an away match with 8 players, and they won!, at other times they could not even secure a win against the bottom teams. With the team just holding their own in the League and with no-one volunteering to take over the team management or administration for season 2008-09 it was agreed to fold the team at the end of the season. A tragic end to what was looking to be a promising future for Ladies football at Corinthian-Casuals.