So that’s it over, the most widely watched Women’s World Cup ever.
A total of 24 nations whittled down to one winner.
There was much hope for many of the participants in the beginning, not least for Scotland, who were regarded as plucky underdogs. The nation were behind the team, with an enthusiasm that has been missing from those following the men’s side.
Over six million people tuned into watch England v Scotland in the group stages but hopes were dashed early on as they failed to make it out of the group.
Despite the obvious disappointment at not making it further, Scotland can be proud at having qualified for their first World Cup ever, 21 years since the men’s team last made the finals.
Whilst their place has been firmly cemented in Scottish women’s football history, what remains to be seen is whether their success leaves a lasting legacy.
The profile of the sport has never been higher and it would be a shame to see attention wane, and so with that in mind we’ve sought out the top women’s clubs in and around the Glasgow area. We’ve opted to include only those in the top two tiers of women’s football, the SWPL1 and the SWPL2.
So here they are:
SWPL1 (the cream of the crop)
Glasgow City F.C.
Founded: 1998
Head Coach: Scott Booth
Ground: Petershill Park, Glasgow
2019 final position: 1st (Qualified for Champions League qualifying round)
Glasgow City are the team to beat in the Scottish game. They are serial winners, having taken the SWPL1 13 times in a row. They carried an unbeaten run in the league for six years between 2008-2014.
Five of their players were in the Scotland team that travelled to France this summer (Lee Alexander, GK, Nicola Docherty, DF, Hayley Lauder, DF, Joanne Love, MF, and Leanne Crichton, MF).
Glasgow City forward, Kirsty How, was the top scorer in the league for the 2019 season.
They made it to the last 16 of the champions league in 2018, where they came unstuck againsta rampant Barcelona team, who beat them by eight goals over two matches. Their previous best in the tournament was in 2014 where they reached the quarter final, becoming the most successful Scottish team in Europe.
Celtic F.C.
Founded: 2007
Head Coach: Eddie Wolecki Black
Ground: K-Park Training Academy, East Kilbride
2019 final position: 3rd
Celtic Women are the first ever professional women’s football team in Scotland after moving to a full-time training regime in December 2018.
Despite that fact, the women’s team have been unable to emulate the success of the men’s team so far.
They’ve reached the final of the Scottish Women’s cup twice, losing both, the most recent in 2018 when they lost 9-0 to Hibernian.
Defender Emma Black is married to Eddie Wolecki Black and was signed by him in 2018.
Natalie Ross was player of the year for the club in 2018. The 2019 player of the year has yet to be announced.
Rangers W.F.C.
Founded: 2008
Head Coach: Amy McDonald
Ground: New Tinto Park, Glasgow
2019 final position: 4th
Otherwise known as the Blue Belles, the club formed in partnership with Paisley City Ladies F.C. who had been members of the league since 1999. Paisley City Ladies was replaced by Rangers L.F.C in 2008, who took on most of their players.
Their best performance in the league came in 2014, when they finished 2nd.
Motherwell L.F.C.
Founded: 2014
Head Coach: Donald Jennow
Ground: Braidhurst, Motherwell
2019 final position: 6th
Motherwell achieved promotion to the WSPL1 in 2019 after topping the SWPL2 in 2018.
In the first half of the 2015 season the team scored 176 goals in 18 matches, an average of 9.7 goals per game.
SWPL2 (just a step below the SWPL1)
Hamilton Academical W.F.C.
Founded: 1999
Head Coach: Gary Doctor
Ground: New Douglas Park, Hamilton
2019 final position: 1st
In 1999, Hamilton Academical were one of the founding members of the Scottish Women’s Football League, a precursor to the SWPL forming in 2002.
They suffered relegation from the league in 2018 but have been promoted again this year after finishing top of the SWPL2.
Glasgow Girls F.C.
Founded: 2008
Head Coach: John Doyle
Ground: Greenfield Football Centre, Glasgow
2019 final position: 4th
Having initially operated at under-13 level as Clyde Girls the team expanded to include an adult team and became Glasgow Girls.
Partick Thistle W.F.C.
Founded: 2013
Head Coach: James McCafferty
Ground: Petershill Park
2019 final position: 6th
Formerly known as Thistle Weir Ladies Football Club. They finished third and below the promotion spot in the SWFL 1 South in 2018 but were promoted because league regulations prevented Hibernian U23s and Celtic Academy (who finished 1st and 2nd respectively) from being promoted as they’re subsidiaries of top division clubs.
So it seems that Scottish women’s football is in good hands. There’s a thriving scene for those who want to get involved in the sport, with 45 teams listed by Scottish Women’s Football in the Glasgow area.
With so many clubs in around the city, which one will you choose to join. Who knows? Maybe next time the World Cup rolls around your name will be on the team sheet.
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