London Bees

London Bees is an English women's football club affiliated with Barnet F.C.. They play in the FA Women's Championship. The club has been in existence under several names since 1975, originally being called District Line Ladies F.C.. The team were re-branded as London Bees after joining the new WSL 2 for the 2014 season. The club have a first team and a youth academy at present which all train and play at the Hive Stadium.

London Bees
Full nameLondon Bees
Nickname(s)The Bees
Founded1975 (1975) (as District Line Ladies F.C.)
GroundThe Hive Stadium, Edgware
Capacity6,500 (5,419 seated)
ChairmanAnthony Kleanthous
ManagerLee Burch
LeagueFA Women's Championship
2019–20FA Women's Championship, 5th of 11
WebsiteClub website

History

The club began in 1975 as District Line Ladies FC then tied up with Wembley FC in 1993 to become Wembley Ladies FC. In 1997 the club moved to play at Hanwell Town FC but kept the Wembley Ladies name. Then in 1998 the club became affiliated to Barnet FC, amalgamating with the existing Barnet Ladies FC from the Greater London League to form Barnet FC Ladies.

In March 2010 Barnet F.C. Ladies were announced as an unsuccessful bidder for the FA Women's Super League.[1][2] In 2013, they were successful in their bid to join the WSL under their new name of London Bees for the 2014 season.

In the 2016 FA WSL summer season, London Bees became the first WSL 2 club to reach the semi-finals of the FA WSL Cup, after notable wins against Chelsea Ladies on penalties and Sheffield Ladies in their quarter-final fixture. They were later defeated in the semi-final by Birmingham City Ladies.

Stadium

London Bees play at The Hive Stadium in Edgware, the home of Barnet F.C..

The Hive Stadium is a stadium in Canons Park, on the former site of the Prince Edward Playing Fields in the London Borough of Harrow. The stadium is home to National League football club Barnet, London Bees of the FA Women's Championship

The stadium's official total capacity is 6,500 and its current record attendance is 6,215, set on 28 January 2019 for Barnet's 3–3 draw with Brentford.

Current squad
London Bees team with their player escorts in May 2018 after a match against Tottenham Hotspur
As of 18 January 2020.[3]
No. Position Player Nation
1 Goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill  England
2 Defender Ellie Wilson  England
3 Defender Megan Alexander (captain)  England
4 Defender Hayley West  England
5 Defender Georgia Roberts  England
6 Defender Billie Brooks  England
7 Forward Lauren Pickett  England
8 Midfielder Bonnie Horwood  England
10 Midfielder Brooke Nunn  England
11 Midfielder Rosie Kmita  England
12 Midfielder Courtney Ward-Chambers  England
13 Midfielder Taylor O'Leary  England
14 Defender Georgina Giddings  England
15 Goalkeeper Megen Lynch  England
16 Midfielder Nicola Gibson  England
17 Forward Nikita Whinnett  England
18 Forward Mathilda Finburgh  England
19 Defender Mollie Dench  England
20 Forward Connie Forman  England
21 Midfielder Flo Gamby  England
22 Midfielder Amelia Hazard  England
23 Midfielder Merrick Will  England
24 Goalkeeper Faye Hazleton  England
25 Defender Evie Gane  Wales

Current technical staff
First team manager Lee Burch in April 2017 while manager of Millwall Lionesses.

As of February 2019.

Position Name
General Manager Ricky Bartlett
First Team Manager Lee Burch
First Team Coach Sian Osmond
Goalkeeping Coach Craig Booth
Club Doctor Christian Kleanthous
Lead physiotherapist Luigi Cerullo

Notable former players

Players who played for District Line Ladies, Wembley Ladies, Barnet FC Ladies or London Bees and received recognition at full international level

Former managers

Rachel Yankey left her role as manager in May 2019.[4]

Honours
  • FA Women's Premier League Southern Division:
    • Winners (2): 1992–93 (as District Line), 2009–10 (as Barnet F.C. Ladies)
  • FA Women's Premier League Cup:
    • Winners (2): 1995–96 (as Wembley Ladies), 2010–11
  • FA WSL Cup:
    • Semi-Finalist: 2016, Continental Cup

Player honours
  • FA WSL 2 Golden Boot Award
    • Winner: Jo Wilson with 10 League goals in 2016
  • FA WSL 2 Player of the Month (April 2017/18)
    • Winner: Katie Wilkinson
  • FA Championship Player of the Month (January 2019/20)
    • Winner: Sarah Quantrill

Manager honours
  • LMA Women's Championship Manager of the Month (September 2019/20)
    • Winner: Lee Burch
  • LMA Women's Championship Manager of the Month (January 2019/20)
    • Winner: Lee Burch

References
  1. "Lincoln Ladies FA Women's Super League bid success". BBC. 22 March 2010. Archived from the original on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  2. Leighton, Tony (21 March 2010). "Lincoln City the surprise name in newly formed Women's Super League". London: The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  3. Rowe, Adam (21 August 2019). "Confirmed squad numbers 2019/20 season!". London Bees Official Website.
  4. "Rachel Yankey: England legend leaves role as London Bees head coach". BBC Sport. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
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