Everton’s women’s team will now be known simply as Everton, the Merseyside club has announced.
Known as Everton Ladies since their formation in 1995, the name change comes on the eve of the new Women’s Super League season, which begins this weekend.
However, to avoid any confusion with the men’s side, Everton Women will continue to be used for formal purposes on the club website if videos and images do not make it clear.
“Everton has played a significant role in the development of women’s football,” Professor Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Chief Executive Officer at Everton, said.
“As well as winning silverware, Everton has produced a number of players that have represented not just their club with distinction but gone on to represent their countries.
“The identity change is an important and progressive step and part of our desire to bring our men’s and women’s teams closer in identity and location. It is a clear symbol of togetherness and unity and part of our ‘one club’ vision.”
Everton’s decision to homogenise across the male and female teams follows similar moves in football and other sports.
Last month World Rugby announced that forthcoming Rugby World Cups would no longer be prefaced by ‘Women’s’, with the tournaments instead being differentiated by the year in which they occur.
Everton begin their WSL season with a trip to face Birmingham City Women.
Manager Willie Kirk has made a number of intriguing signings this summer, including Netherlands and Finland internationals Kika van Es and Tinja-Riikka Korpela.
“Willie Kirk is in charge of the squad during an exciting period with quality additions made this summer, a new home a stone’s throw away from Goodison Park at Walton Hall Park on the horizon, with extra focus on the women’s game and new commercial opportunities ahead – highlighted by our recent ‘women’s exclusive’ deal with feminine hygiene brand Lil-Lets.” Barrett-Baxendale commented.
