The OOH Lincoln Ladies
by Patricia Montgomery, LincsMag Writer.
Date: 07 April 2010
The Beginning of a First Class Team
In 1995 Stuart Donnelly formed the impressive OOH Lincoln Ladies out of an initial Lincoln Ladies trial team. It was then known as the Lincoln City Ladies and has now flourished to where there are now six teams, these being; U-14's, U-15’s, U-16's, U-18’s, Reserves and 1st. Team with plans already in the pipeline to increase this to eight teams for future seasons.
Sam Willett & Ron Morris manages the four younger teams through the OOH Lincoln Youth Charity. (Lincoln City Girls School of Excellence run four teams completely separately to OOH.)
In the beginning (1995) the Lincoln Ladies started playing in the Unison East Midlands League and apart from only one season, they gained steady promotion each year until reaching the Northern Premier League in 2002 led by the long standing Manager Glen Harris.
Rod Wilson Takes Over
The year 2004 saw Rod Wilson now take over from Harris and steer the formidable 'Lady Imps' to a strong 4th in the league, the highest position ever reached until then. In 2006/2007 they finished in second place, just five points behind Liverpool.
The following season 07/08 the Lincoln Ladies led the league table all season, losing just 3 games along the way, only to be pipped to the title by Nottingham Forest on the last day of the season.
The Lincoln Ladies also reached the FA Cup semi final going down to record breaking Arsenal in front of a crowd of 3,000 at Sincil Bank.
Last season, 2008/2009, they again just narrowly were beaten into 2nd place by a very good Sunderland Ladies'.
The Club have played at various grounds including Lee Rd., Moorlands and Collingham. The Lincoln Ladies played one season (2002/2003) at Sincil Bank becoming the first women’s side to play a full season at a Professional League ground.
From this season (2010/2011) they will be playing At Lincoln United’s Ground at Ashby Avenue in Lincoln. Lincoln United play in the Unibond League – Div. One South.
The Club has won the Lincs County Cup on no less than 6 occasions, reclaiming it last season from local rivals, Scunthorpe Utd. Ladies'.
OOH Name
A few years ago, as support from Lincoln City FC started to diminish, it became apparent to the Club that it would have to financially stand on its own feet in the future. Sponsorship kept the team afloat for five years until it was decided in 2008 that, as the only thing a team like the Lincoln Ladies had to sell, was its name, they would accept an offer from OOH Media PLC and so became OOH Lincoln Ladies. The Club also gained Charter Standard status.
New signings with national experience, have fitted effortlessly into the proudly predominant homegrown outfit, bringing with them valuable knowledge and experience of the women's game.
Lincoln have developed several England trialists and youth players over the seasons including Ellie Gilliatt, Jade Moore, Nicola Hobbs and Katie Holtham, and they continue to strengthen the side at every opportunity with players such as England Goalkeeper Kay Hawke and ex-Blackburn defender/midfielder Mel Cook.
This season (2010/2011) OOH Lincoln Ladies are now play in the Northern Division of the Women's Premier League, which is the second tier of women's football in England.
A Bright Future
The future is bright for OOH Lincoln Ladies as their bid to join the new elite FA Summer Super League was successful. This means OOH Lincoln Ladies will now play in the Super League which is due to kick off around March 2011.
OOH Lincoln Ladies will be one of 8 clubs playing in this new televised league (ESPN), which will make them one of the top 8 clubs in the country.
With a respected squad that will include several England international players as well as some of the squad that are playing this season, they will be playing their home matches at both Ashby Avenue, the home of Lincoln Utd, and Sincil Bank Stadium, the home of Lincoln City F.C.
Complete Squad list
|
1. Kay Hawke (GK) |
 |
11. Kirsty Richardson |
Manager;- Rod Wilson
GK Coach: Steve Harris
Physio: Rachel Stagg
Asst. Neil Snelson
