In 2001 Exeter City FC were looking to form a women's team, and having heard of Elmore's success they contacted the Club and asked if they would be interested in becoming Exeter City Ladies FC. The girls jumped at the chance and so Exeter City Ladies Football Club was reformed.

Exeter City Ladies AFC 2001-02
The players 

Rachel Watts, Lynsey Newcombe, Anne-Marie Dodds, Jo Kingwell, Sara Walker, Jo Goldsworthy, Helen Pring, Lisa Clark, Mandy Earle, Hannah Courtney, Erica Mason, Maxine Coupe, Jo Chumbley, Becky Folds, Eleanor Clarke, Jo Tretheway. Shanaz Mackiem, Vikki Courtney, Becky Batten, Josie Copp, Anita James, Helen Pring.

Management 
Tommy Wheeldon (ECFC Community Officer)
James Mason (Chairman)
Jamie Vittles (Manager),

An Article from She Kickd 

In 1993 there were only 80 girls teams, today there are over 3,500 in schools and clubs and an estimated 45,000 under-16 players. There is a women's Premier League, FA Cup and a League Cup for domestic competitions, as well as school competitions, festivals and girls' leagues. Exeter City FC ladies, have had a very successful season so far, making progress in the FA Cup as well as being unbeaten at the time of writing in their league. The interest in ladies football in this area has grown as a result of their success. At England international level there are now Under 16, under 18 and senior sides, so you can play for fun or for the chance to wear the England three lions. The three England teams are run by one National Coach, Hope Powell. Hope had a fantastic career as a player. She played 66 times for England and made her debut when she was only 13-years old. "I started playing just by kicking around with the boys in the yard and never believed one day would be playing for England," she said. "Not only have played for them, but am now managing them as well! am really lucky when I see new players coming into the game and the opportunities they have to play at all levels. I wish I was 20 years younger!" Hope lifted the FA Cup for her team Croydon, winning the league and cup double in 1996 and retired two years later to take over the running of the three England teams. England play around eight matches per year home and away. When England are at home they play in stadiums all over the country to give everyone an opportunity to see them. From this season Sky will show at least three England internationals live, so whether from your sofa or in the stands you should be able to watch the top English players take on international opposition. The first ever women's international was in 1972 when England played Scotland, winning 3-2 at Greenock in Scotland. Last season record crowds of 7,000 were recorded at games, some of the highest 'attendances for an amateur sport in this country. The England Under-18 team were only set up in 1997 and takes part in the annual UEFA European competition and have won nearly all their matches. Of the nearly 50 players who have already earned caps at this level half have gone on to play for the full England team with many others well on their way. In only their second year together the Under-18 team reached the quarter-finals of the European Championships. The record win for the England Under-18 tea,is 15-0 against Moldova in November 1999. Kelly Shimmin (Everton) and Amanda Barr (Doncaster Belles) are top scorers in this age group with fourteen goals in twelve appearances each. 17-year old midfielder Fara Williams (Chelsea) has played eight games, four as a substitute, yet scored a total of six goals. The England Under 16s are a development squad who are mainly selected from the 1,400 girls playing in the Centres of Excellence all around the country. There is no official international tournament at this level, but the F.A. work with other nations to arrange fixtures. England beat the USA at this level and have even played at Wembley. From September 2001 the first FA international Player development Centre for potential and current internationals, players aged 16 plus, kicked off at Loughborough University. The Centre will provide a full football programme to run alongside academic courses. Each year 20 of the most talented English footballers will be selected to attend the Centre and all costs will be covered by the F.A. Women's Football Academies are the next step down for players who want to play football and get an education at the same time. You can expect qualified F.A. coaches, coaching and a coach/student ration of 1/15. You don't need to be an international, just have a passion for football. There are currently 20 Football Academies all over the country, with the nearest to Exeter being Filton College in Bristol. There are also 31 Centres of Excellence around the country, most of which are based at Premiership or Football League clubs. The most talented players from around England aged between 10 and 16 get top level coaching and the best facilities. There are about 1,400 players registered to the Centres and every year they all come together at one big festival in May where they can test their skills against the rest of the best players in the country. The AXA Women's FA Cup has been running since 1971 when Southampton WFC became the first winners. Every year around 200 teams enter all hoping to reach the final in May. The final is shown live on TV and attracts big crowds. The FA Women's Premier League is made up of three divisions, with the National Division of ten teams at the top. The league title has been won by Arsenal, Croydon and Everton in recent years. There are a number of feeder and regional leagues, one of which the Exeter City Ladies take part in. There are clubs that are linked in with men's clubs, like Arsenal, Southampton, Charlton, Exeter City and the first professional club in the country, Fulham, who get full backing of the men's club. They wear the same colour kit, have qualified coaches and top training facilities. Doncaster Belles is the only top level independent club, and want to be the first women's club in England to own its own ground. The benefits of being a full time woman footballer was explained by striker Rachel Yankey, an England international, who left Arsenal to join Fulham. She said: "It was very hard to leave Arsenal, but wanted to improve my football and my chances of playing for England. It is great to be around the ball all day and it has made a big difference to my fitness levels. I also coach kids at Fulham so I am able to put something back into the club as well. It's good for everyone." Throughout the year festivals are run around the country to encourage new players to get involved or provide another chance for a fun day of football. The majority are run in school holidays, especially in the summer. There are over 1,100 girls clubs around the country at under 12, 14 and 16 levels., they take part in league and cup competitions. Devon County FA will be able to tell you of the leagues and clubs in their area. To help all these new clubs and players there is a need for more coaches and if you are interested your local County FA will tell you how to go about becoming a coach. It can also help your playing level if you understand more about the game. If you want to be a woman referee then again your County FA will be able to tell you about local courses. The top woman referee in the country is Wendy Toms who has refereed at the Olympic Games. Doing a refereeing course will help you understand the laws of the game.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS OF EXETER CITY LADIES F.C.- contact  JAMIE VITTLES

Or alternatively for general information onto women's football log on to www.the-fa.org. There is a women's football monthly magazine called 'She Kicks'. For copies log onto www.shekicks.net

In 2023 She Kicks