London Bees is an English women's football club affiliated with Barnet F.C. They play in the FA Women's National League South. The club has been in existence under several names since 1975, originally being called District Line Ladies F.C.. The team were re-branded as London Bees after joining the new WSL 2 for the 2014 season. The club have a first team and a youth academy; both train and play at the Hive Stadium.

London Bees
Full nameLondon Bees
Nickname(s)The Bees
Founded1975; 49 years ago (1975) (as District Line Ladies F.C.)
GroundThe Hive Stadium, Canons Park
Capacity6,500 (5,419 seated)
ChairmanAnthony Kleanthous
ManagerDaniel McKimm
LeagueFA Women's National League Division One South East
2023–24FA Women's National League South, 12th of 12 (relegated)
Websitehttps://www.londonbeesfc.com/
Current season

History

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The club began in 1975 as District Line Ladies FC, then merged with Wembley FC in 1993 to become Wembley Ladies FC. In 1997 the club moved to play at Hanwell Town FC but kept the Wembley Ladies name. In 1998, the club became affiliated with Barnet FC, amalgamating with the existing Barnet Ladies FC from the Greater London League to form Barnet FC Ladies.

In March 2010 Barnet F.C. Ladies were announced as an unsuccessful bidder for the FA Women's Super League.[1][2] In 2013, they were successful in their bid to join the WSL under their new name of London Bees for the 2014 season.

In the 2016 FA WSL summer season, London Bees became the first WSL 2 club to reach the semi-finals of the FA WSL Cup, after notable wins against Chelsea Ladies on penalties and Sheffield Ladies in their quarter-final fixture. They were later defeated in the semi-final by Birmingham City Ladies.

In the 2020–21 season, London Bees finished bottom of the Championship and were relegated to the third tier of English women's football.

Current squad

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As of 1 January 2023.[3]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   ENG Megan Lynch
2 DF   ENG Jessica Burke
3 DF   ENG Ryah Vyse
4 MF   ENG Danielle Puddefoot
6 DF   ENG Ellena Finneran
7 FW   ENG Juliet Adebowale
8 MF   ENG Janaye Beaufort
9 FW   ENG Kayla Potter
10 MF   ENG Courtnay Ward-Chambers
11 FW   ENG Nikita Whinnett
12 DF   ENG Amy Jarvis
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 DF   ENG Lisa Milliken
18 FW   ENG Angie Dunbar-Bonnie
19 FW    Akane Miyoshi
21 FW   ENG Summer Roberts
22 FW   ENG Bolu Fisher
23 MF   ENG Ashleigh Goddard
26 DF   ENG Sokhara Goodall
44 GK   ENG Mia North
MF    Ronnell Humes

Current technical staff

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Position Name
First Team Coach Gavin Murphy

Tim Abramyan

Goalkeeping Coach James McKimm

Michelle Breezley

S & C Coach
Lead therapist Dusan Panic
Performance Analyst
Sports Psychologist
Media & Communications

Notable former players

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Players who played for District Line Ladies, Wembley Ladies, Barnet FC Ladies or London Bees and received recognition at full international level

Former managers

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Manager Dates
Lee Burch May 2019 – February 2021
Rachel Yankey February 2019 – May 2019
Luke Swindlehurst July 2017 – February 2019
David Edmonson February 2016 – May 2017
Julian Broomes August 2014 – October 2015

Honours

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, 2010–11

Player honours

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  • FA WSL 2 Golden Boot Award
    • Winner: Jo Wilson with 10 League goals in 2016
  • FA WSL 2 Player of the Month (April 2017/18)
    • Winner: Katie Wilkinson
  • FA Championship Player of the Month (January 2019/20)
    • Winner: Sarah Quantrill

Manager honours

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  • LMA Women's Championship Manager of the Month (September 2019/20)
    • Winner: Lee Burch
  • LMA Women's Championship Manager of the Month (January 2019/20)
    • Winner: Lee Burch

References

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  1. ^ "Lincoln Ladies FA Women's Super League bid success". BBC. 22 March 2010. Archived from the original on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  2. ^ Leighton, Tony (21 March 2010). "Lincoln City the surprise name in newly formed Women's Super League". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 25 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  3. ^ Rowe, Adam (21 August 2019). "Confirmed squad numbers 2019/20 season!". London Bees Official Website.
  4. ^ Pete Davies (11 March 1996). "Wembley's flair rewarded in shoot-out". The Independent.
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