Leeds United’s new 50% co-owner Andrea Radrizzani has taken to twitter to state his intentions about forming a new Leeds United ladies team, which the club do not currently have.
Leeds have previously had a womens team, however previous owner Ken Bates forced a split between the female team and Leeds United in 2005 to cut the clubs costs. Since then women’s team have being playing under Leeds’ name, but having to raise most of the money required to run their club because of the reduction of funding from Leeds United. At the end of the 2013/14 season, all funding was cut from the club forcing the Leeds United Ladies team to fold and reform under the name of Leeds Ladies FC.
Leeds’ newest Italian owner Andrea Radrizzani was questioned by a supporter on Twitter who was asking if the club would re-affiliate a womens team. Andrea replied stating that it is ‘on my agenda’, meaning that it must have crossed his mind about since his 50% takeover of the club on the 4th January 2017.
Leeds United Ladies had achieved some great successes since their formation in 1889, including an FA Cup Final against Arsenal in the 2005/06 season, which they lost 5-0. The club reached the FA Cup once again in the 2007/08 season and once again played arguably the best women team in the country at the time, Arsenal. The game was played at the City Ground, home to Nottingham Forest, in front of 24,582 spectators. The final once again resulted in a defeat for Leeds, who lost the game 4-1.
The Leeds Ladies FC team currently play at Wheatley Park, home to Garforth Town, and compete in the FA Women’s Premier League North Division One.
With the help of Radrizzani and Leeds United the women’s team could be back in partnership with the club, attracting a wider fan base, as well as increasing the popularity of women’s football in Leeds.
