Newcastle United W.F.C.
Women's association football club in England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Newcastle United Women's Football Club is a professional English women's football club, affiliated with Newcastle United F.C. They were founded in 1989 and are based at the Newcastle United Academy Training Centre, Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne, and play their home matches at Gateshead International Stadium, Gateshead. They are currently members of the Women's Super League 2.
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| Full name | Newcastle United Women's Football Club | |||
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| Nickname | The Magpies | |||
| Founded | 1989 as Newcastle United Ladies | |||
| Ground | Gateshead International Stadium | |||
| Capacity | 11,800 | |||
| Owners | Public Investment Fund (85%) RB Sports & Media (15%)[1] | |||
| Manager | Tanya Oxtoby | |||
| League | Women's Super League 2 | |||
| 2025–26 | Women's Super League 2, 6th of 12 | |||
| Website | newcastleunited.com/women | |||
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In the summer of 2016, they became officially affiliated with Newcastle United F.C, operating independently with the support of the Newcastle United Foundation. In August 2022, restructuring meant that the women's team was brought under the complete ownership of Newcastle United, with plans to transition to full-time football.[2]
History
The club was formed in 1989 and known at the time as Newcastle United Ladies.[3] In 1996, the team played Manchester United at Wembley, prior to a men's charity match between the two sides.[4]
By 2001, the club was well established in the top half of the Northern Combination League, and through its partnership with Newcastle City Council's Football Development Scheme, a five-year plan was put in place to reach the FA Women's Premier League. Those five years saw the club achieve major success on and off the field, winning the Northumberland FA Senior Cup on a record five consecutive occasions.[5]
The club gained promotion to the Women's National League North in 2003 off the back of conceding only 16 goals in 18 games.
During the 2005–06 season, the club reached the Women's FA Cup quarter finals for the first time ever, losing to Liverpool 9–8 on penalties following a 2–2 draw.
In August 2013 the club announced a deal with Wonga.com, who become the club's principal sponsor for the 2013–14 season. This was the first time an official Newcastle United sponsor had also committed to the women's team, demonstrating the growing importance of women's football.[6]
The club achieved their highest ever finish in the third tier of Women's football during the 2015–16 season, finishing 9th under manager Thomas Butler. They also reached the semi-final of the FAWPL Plate, where they were defeated 0–2 by Enfield Town.[7]
Ahead of the 2016–17 season, the club was renamed Newcastle United Women's Football Club.[8] Newcastle United Women also became part of the Newcastle United Foundation, a registered charity arm of Newcastle United F.C., while remaining independently owned.[9]
Newcastle United played their first game at St. James' Park on 1 May 2022, attracting a crowd of 22,134. The team won 4–0 against Alnwick Town Ladies.[10]
Following promotion to the third tier at the end of the 2022–23 season, the club turned professional, becoming the first professional side to compete in the English women's third tier.[11][12] Under the guidance of head of women's football Su Cumming and head coach at the time Becky Langley, a development squad was also introduced to help provide players with a talent pathway into the senior team.[13]
Newcastle United were promoted to the Women's Championship (WSL 2) as champions of the 2023–24 National League, after 10–0 win against Huddersfield Town on 14 April 2024.[14]
On 10 August 2024, Newcastle United maintained their 100% win record at St. James' Park with a 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory against AC Milan which saw them win the Sela Cup in front of 37,000 fans.[15]
Ahead of the 2025–26 Women's Super League 2 season, and with ambitions of earning promotion to the Women's Super League (WSL), Newcastle United moved to Gateshead International Stadium, which has a natural grass pitch and complies with WSL regulations.[16]
Current squad
As of 15 February 2026[17]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Former players
Under-21s squad
Updated 7 March 2026
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Under-16s squad
Updated 7 March 2026
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Management
First team
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Manager |  Tanya Oxtoby |
| Assistant Manager |  Claire Ditchburn |
| First Team Coach | Luke Thomas-Arayo |
| Goalkeeper Coach | Stephen Brass |
| Sports Scientist | Thomas Keeney |
| Sports Scientist | Matt Hill |
| Head Physio | Rhys Griffiths |
| Physio | Chris Walker |
| Physio | Becky Gray |
| Doctor | Ross Floyd |
| Development Team Manager | Courtney Vacher |
| Development Team Assistant Manager | Codie Nichols |
| Development Team Assistant Manager | Abi Giles-Haigh |
| Development Team Coach |  Cara Milne-Redhead |
Source: [citation needed]
Board
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Chairman |  Yasir Al-Rumayyan |
| CEO |  David Hopkinson |
| Director | Jamie Reuben |
| Sporting Director | Ross Wilson |
Source: [citation needed]
Managerial history
As of 20 April, 2026:
| Name | Tenure | Refs |
|---|---|---|
 Thomas Butler | 2015 | |
| Victoria Greenwell | 2016 – 2019 | |
| Becky Langley | 2019 — 20 October 2025 | [18] |
| Claire Ditchburn (interim) | 22 October 2025 – 22 November 2025 | [19] |
| Tanya Oxtoby | 22 November 2025 – | [20] |
Honours
- Winners: 2023–24
- FA Women's National League Division One North:
- Winners: 2022–23
- Winners: 2011–12
- Runners-up: 2003–04
- Combination League Cup:
- 2004–05
- Northern Combination League Cup:
- 1998–99
- 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2011–12
- Y.E.S Cup (Year of Exercise and Sport):
- 2006–07
- Lloret Cup:
- 2003–04
- Nationwide Club of the Year:
- 2006–07
- John O'Farrell Charity Cup:
- 2009–10
- FA Women's Premier League Reserve Division North: 1
- 2015–16
- Sela Cup:
- 2024
Awards
Jack Hixon Award
This award is after Jack Hixon, a local scout who found several North-East youngsters who went on to become professional footballers.
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Prior to 2023, it was awarded to emerging male footballers.