Club History

Chelmsford City were formed in 1986 and competed in a five-a-side League. In 1987 they formed a second team named ‘The Royals’ which also competed in the same competition, however, the competition folded and the two teams merged forming an eleven-a-side team. The Club entered the Greater London League in 1988 and finished as Runners-up in Division Three in their first season.

Only one of the original members still remains at the Club, General Secretary and Treasurer Dawn Barnard.

In 1992 there was sufficient interest for the Club to form a junior section, which has provided a number of players for the senior section over the years. The 1994/95 seasons saw them begin their most successful period to date when they won the inaugural Essex County Cup, Russell Cup and finished as Runners-up in Division Two in the same season as well as winning a number of 5-a-side tournaments during that summer.

The club continued to be successful and after making the switch into the Eastern Region League, won the Premier division Championship in 2000 and gained promotion to the South-East Combination League via the play-off system. During this time, the Club continued to be successful with the seniors, winning the Essex County Cup 5 times.

After two seasons, an exodus of 1^st Team players during the summer of 2002 saw the committee make the decision to withdraw from the Combination League and start again with the Reserve Team becoming the 1^st XI who were already competing in the County League.

2003/04 season saw a new era begin when under new management, the First Team immediately make an impact, becoming League Champions in the Essex County Women’s League and took the decision to move up into the Eastern Region League. They also reached the League Cup Final while the Reserves finished third in Division Two and were promoted into Division One. In the juniors, the Under 12’s were joint runners-up while the Under 14’s were League Champions in the Essex County Girls League.

2004/05 saw the 1^st Team reach the Memorial Shield Final where they defeated AFC Kempston Rovers and consolidated their first season in the Eastern Region League by finishing a creditable mid-table position. The Reserves, now managed by Alan Harding won the Essex County League Fair Play Award and were also runners-up in the Essex County FA Fair Play.

Clare Andrews then took over the role as 1^st XI Manager and has gelled a side containing a mixture of youth and experience and last season 2006/07; saw her side win the inaugural Essex County FA Women’s Charter Standard Tournament. They also were runners–up in Division 1 East, reaching the play-offs, eventually losing in the Final. They were also runners-up in the Division 1 East round robin plate.

Prior to the 2007/08 season they won The Mayador Cider Trophy Cup at Manchester Umbro International Cup and also retained the Essex County FA Women's Charter Standard Tournament. The domestic season for the first team reach the County Cup Final, losing 4 - 2 on Penalties after holding National League Colchester United 2 - 2 after extra time. They then clinched the Division 1 South title gaining promotion to the Premier Division. The U16s reached the Essex County Girls League Cup Final while the U12s were runners up in the League Spring Plate Completion.

Chelmsford City Ladies and Girls FC is a Charter Standard Club who are committed to improving the profile of Women’s and Girls football and look to provide the opportunity for females of all ages and ability to play football.

Roll Of Honor:

Essex County Cup: Winners 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002

Eastern Region League: Division 3 Runners-Up 1995-1996; Memorial Shield Runners-Up 1996; Premier Division Runners-Up 1998-1999; Premier Division Winners 1999-2000; Memorial Shield Winners 2005, Preimer Division Runners-Up 2008-09

Greater London Regional League: Division 3 Runners-Up 1988-1989; Division 2 Runners-Up 1994-1995; Russell Cup Winners 1995; Division 1 Runners-Up 1995-1996

Essex County League: Runners-Up 1997-1998; League Cup Runners-Up 1998; League Runners-Up 1998-1999; League Cup Runners-Up 1999; Division 1 Winners 2003-2004; League Cup Runners-Up 2004

Other Honors: I & J Trophy Runners-Up 1990; Rochford Sports Festival Runners-Up 1993, 1994, 1995, 1999; Rochford Sports Festival Winners 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002; Highfields Plate Winners 2001; Numerous 5-a-side honours won

U11s: Essex County Girls League Runners-Up 2002-2003; League Runners-Up 2005-2006, Essex County Girls League Champions 2008-09

U12s: Essex County Girls League Winners 1997-1998; Kim Farmer Invitation Trophy Runners-Up 2001; League Runners-Up 2003-2004

U13s: Essex County Girls League Winners 1998-1999; League Cup Winners 1999; League Runners-Up 2005-2006

U14s: Orminston League Runners-Up 1993-1994; Essex County Girls League Runners-Up 1997-1998; League Cup Winners 1998; League Cup Runners-Up 2000; League Winners 2003-2004, Essex County Girls League Runners-Up 2008-09.

U15s: Essex County Girls League Winners 1997-1998

U16s: Essex County Girls League Runners-Up 2002-2003

U17s: Essex County Girls League Runners-Up 2002-2003

Darel Poole was playing within our junior section when she was scouted for England trials. Darel got through the trials and was selected to play for the England international U16 team. She left the club in 2002 and now plays her football in the Women's Premier League with Bristol City, and she also plays for England U19s.

Carly Waters our First Team goalkeeper, was selected to play for the Great Britain Deaf Squad at the Deaflympics in Australia in the 2004-2005 season. After an outstanding tournament Carly and the squad came away with bronze medals. Carly has been playing with the club since she was a youngster, and she is another product of our successful junior ranks.

In the 2003-2004 season, we had five of our junior players selected to play for the highly-rated Leyton Orient Centre of Excellence. From the U14s, Ashleigh Harding and Rachel Armstrong were both scouted, and from the U12s, Jo Gigg, Rosie Gliddon and Chloe Argent were all scouted. We have also had a number of junior players scouted for the Colchester United Centre of Excellence over the years, including England international Darel Poole.

In the summer of 2004, five of our U14s were selected to represent the Chelmsford & Maldon district at the Essex Youth Games: Laura Kendle, Amber Thomson, Emma Sharpe, Nicola Medici and Ashleigh Harding.

In the summer of 2005, seven of the U15s were selected for the Chelmsford & Maldon district team to play at the Essex Youth Games: Laura Kendle, Emma Sharpe, Jayne Wood, Olivia Pinder, Catherine MacGregor, Nicola Medici and Ashleigh Harding.

In the summer of 2006, three of our U11s were selected for the district team to play at the Essex Youth Games: Sophie Wander, Brogan Lambert and Nicole Parish.

England make Swiss roll

England 10-1 Switzerland
World Deaf Futsal Championship
Sofia, Bulgaria
Wednesday 14 November 2007

Lisa Nepean scored a hat-trick as England moved into the Quarter Finals following a 10-1 demolition of Switzerland.

With three wins and a walkover victory banked before Wednesday's game, England needed to continue their perfect run to ensure they finished as group winners.

The Three Lions started well and were the width of the post away from taking a third minute lead when Esther Maycock struck the upright.

But Julie Callaghan's side did not have to wait long for their opening goal which arrived three minutes later when Jess Everhurst tucked in a rebound after Maycock's shot was saved.

The lead was doubled within 60 seconds, Cath Eyley firing home from 15 yards after a clever one-two with Everhurst.

Nepean scored the first of her treble in the ninth minute after Annie Straw's looping pass caused chaos in the Swiss ranks.

Straw then got in on the act moments later as the roles were reversed, her header from Nepean's corner putting England 4-0 up.

The avalanche of goals kept coming with Everhurst adding a fifth a minute later.

Nepean then converted a rebound after Maycock's shot was spilled as England pressed hard on the accelerator. Laura Wiseman then cracked home as England reached a magnificent seven, but they were not content with single figures.

Sarah Page continued the rout with a deflected strike from distance before Lydia Docker made it 9-0 following a smart return pass from Wiseman.

It was unlikely England would be able to match their efforts after the break but in scoring their tenth goal on 32 minutes they became the first side to hit double figures in the tournament. It was Nepean who grabbed the goal, sliding a shot under the keeper to complete her hat-trick.

England conceded their first goal of the tournament a minute later but The Three Lions responded with Maycock hitting the post three times before the final whistle.