Middlesbrough Football Club Women (/ˈmɪdəlzbrə/ ⓘ MID-əlz-brə) is an English women's football club. Founded in 1976, they currently play in the FA Women's National League North, with home games played at Bishopton Road West, Stockton.
Middlesbrough were founding members of the Northern Combination in 1998, and spent much of their early history in the third and fourth tiers of woman's football, aside from a brief spell in the second tier FA Premier League Northern Division from 2002 to 2006. The club officially became re-affiliated with the men's team in 2023, following a period of independent ownership beginning in 2017.
Middlesbrough also have a reserve side competing in the FA Women's National League Reserve Northern Division. Their home games are played at Middlesbrough College.[1]
Middlesbrough Football Club Women was formed in 1976.[2] Originally known as Cleveland Spartans, they played in the Nottinghamshire Ladies League,[3] and were coached by Middlesbrough players Mark Proctor and David Hodgson.[4] The club reached the 1982 WFA Cup Final, losing 2–0 to Lowestoft.[5] Middlesbrough later played in the Yorkshire and Humberside Ladies League.[6]
In 1996 Marrie Wieczorek became full time manager. Under her guidance Middlesbrough won the 2001–02 Northern Combination, and were promoted to the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division.[7] They remained in the Northern Division for four seasons, returning to the Northern Combination following relegation at the end of the 2005–06 season.[8]
In September 2010, Middlesbrough travelled to North Korea and played two friendly matches against April 25, losing 6–2, and Kalmaegi, losing 5–0.[9] In 2012 Gemma Grainger was appointed manager, and the club finished the 2012–13 season in fourth place.[10] Grainger left the club in 2013 due to commitments to the England U19 team, and was replaced by player-manager Samantha Leigh.[11]
As a result of the restructuring of the FA Women's Premier League for the 2014–15 season, Middlesbrough competed in the newly formed FA Women's Premier League Northern Division One.[12] Under new manager and owner Lindsey Stephenson,[13] the club finished the season in fourth place.[14] Middlesbrough won the 2015–16 Northern Division One, and were promoted to the Northern Premier Division.[15] In their first season back in the third tier of woman's football, Middlesbrough achieved a second-place finish.[16] In June 2017 the club unveiled a new crest.[17]
In January 2020, Ben Fisher was announced as new chairman,[18] while Marrie Wieczorek returned to the club as an ambassador.[19] Middlesbrough reached the semi-finals of the 2019–20 FA National League Plate, losing 2–0 to Watford.[20] On 24 August 2021, former Middlesbrough player Andy Campbell was appointed manager.[21] Middlesbrough were relegated to the National League Division One North at the end of the 2021–22 season.[22]
On 26 May 2023, the club officially became re-affiliated with the men's team, and Michael Mulhern was announced as manager.[23] Middlesbrough played their first game at the Riverside Stadium on 17 September, a 0–0 draw against Stockport County.[24] The club won the 2024–25 Division One North, and were promoted back to the National League North after three seasons.[25]
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 2010–2015 | Adidas | Wells Solutions[26] |
| 2015–2017 | Amigos Pizza[27] | |
| 2017–2018 | Northern Coffee[28] | |
| 2018–2020 | Hummel | |
| 2020–2021 | Team Stokes Limited (TSL)[29] | |
| 2021–2022 | Map Group (UK)[30] | |
| 2022–2023 | Erreà | |
| 2023–2025 | Durata[31] | |
| 2025– | Castore | Unibet[32] |
During the 2000s, Middlesbrough played their home games at Central Avenue, Billingham Synthonia,[33] before moving to Teesdale Park, Thornaby Football Club, in 2010. In July 2018, the club moved to Bedford Terrace, Billingham Town.[34]
Since June 2022, Middlesbrough have played their home games at Bishopton Road West, Stockton Town.[35] The stadium underwent a £1 million redevelopment in 2015, and now includes modern facilities and a 3G pitch.[36] With affiliation into Middlesbrough Football Club in 2023, the team have select matches at the Riverside Stadium.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Middlesbrough operate a reserve team who compete in the FA Women's National League Reserve Northern Division, and play home games at Middlesbrough College.[38] The club also operate a development team, who play in the North Riding Women's Premier League.[39]
| Executive Members | |
|---|---|
| Role | Person |
| Chair of club |  Steve Gibson
|
| General manager | Ben Fisher
|
| Management & Backroom Staff | |
|---|---|
| Role | Person |
| First Team Manager | Michael Mulhern
|
| Assistant Manager | Joe Lillie
|
| Goalkeeping Coach | Iain Longstaff
|
| Fitness Coach | Lee Phoenix
|
| Lead Physiotherapist | Sarah Stones
|
| Performance Analyst | Jason Elgie
|
| Under-23's Manager | Matt Gatiss
|
| Under-16's Manager | Ben Fisher
|
| Dates | Name |
|---|---|
| 1996–2012 | Marrie Wieczorek
|
| 2012–2013 | Gemma Grainger
|
| 2013–2014 | Samantha Leigh
|
| 2014–2018 | Lindsey Stephenson
|
| 2018 | Kelsey Byrne
|
| 2018–2021 | Steph Fairless
|
| 2021–2023 | Andy Campbell
|
| 2023– | Michael Mulhern
|
League
| Reserves and Academy | |
|---|---|
| Records and Satistics | |
| History | |
| Home stadium | |
| Training ground | |
| Rivalries | |
