2023–24 Leicester City W.F.C. season

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Leicester City
2023–24 season
Head coachWillie Kirk
(suspended from 8 March, sacked on 28 March)
Jennifer Foster
(interim, from 8 March)
StadiumKing Power Stadium, Leicester
WSL10th
FA CupSemi-finals
League CupGroup stage
Highest home attendance5,211
(vs. Manchester United, 28 April)
Lowest home attendance1,064
(vs. Aston Villa, 19 January)
Average home league attendance2,656
2024–25 →

The 2023–24 Leicester City W.F.C. season was the club's 20th season of existence and their third season in the Women's Super League, the highest level of the football pyramid. Along with competing in the WSL, the club will also contest two domestic cup competitions: the FA Cup and the League Cup.

On 8 March 2024, manager Willie Kirk was suspended pending an internal investigation over allegations of a relationship with one of the club's players. Assistant manager Jennifer Foster was placed in interim charge.[1] Kirk's permanent dismissal was confirmed on 28 March.[2]

Squad[edit]

As of 1 February 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Germany GER Janina Leitzig
2 DF Australia AUS Courtney Nevin
3 MF England ENG Sam Tierney
4 DF New Zealand NZL C. J. Bott
5 DF Scotland SCO Sophie Howard
6 MF England ENG Aimee Palmer
7 FW Canada CAN Deanne Rose
8 FW Finland FIN Jutta Rantala
9 FW Germany GER Lena Petermann
10 FW England ENG Aileen Whelan (captain)
11 MF Belgium BEL Janice Cayman
12 DF England ENG Asmita Ale (on loan from Tottenham Hotspur)
14 MF Wales WAL Josie Green
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 MF Japan JPN Saori Takarada
17 DF France FRA Julie Thibaud
18 MF Sweden SWE Emilia Pelgander
19 FW Australia AUS Remy Siemsen
20 FW England ENG Missy Goodwin
21 FW Wales WAL Hannah Cain
23 GK Netherlands NED Lize Kop
27 MF England ENG Shannon O'Brien
29 FW Japan JPN Yuka Momiki
32 MF England ENG Ava Baker
47 DF England ENG Simone Sherwood
49 FW England ENG Denny Draper

Out on loan[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
13 MF England ENG Monique Robinson (at Burnley until end of season)
38 GK England ENG Holly Mears (dual registration with Nottingham Forest until end of season)
41 DF England ENG Jess Reavill (dual registration with West Bromwich Albion until end of season)
GK England ENG Demi Lambourne (at Crystal Palace until end of season)

Transfers[edit]

Transfers in[edit]

Date Position Nationality Name From Ref.
4 July 2023 DF Australia Courtney Nevin Sweden Hammarby [3]
7 July 2023 GK Germany Janina Leitzig Germany Bayern Munich [4]
10 July 2023 FW Germany Lena Petermann France Montpellier [5]
11 July 2023 MF Belgium Janice Cayman France Lyon [6]
1 August 2023 MF England Aimee Palmer England Bristol City [7]
16 August 2023 GK Netherlands Lize Kop Netherlands Ajax [8]
25 August 2023 FW Finland Jutta Rantala Sweden Vittsjö GIK [9]
31 August 2023 DF France Julie Thibaud France Bordeaux [10]
8 September 2023 FW Canada Deanne Rose England Reading [11]
1 January 2024 MF Japan Saori Takarada Sweden Linköping FC [12]
5 January 2024 FW Japan Yuka Momiki Sweden Linköping FC [13]
27 January 2024 MF Sweden Emilia Pelgander Sweden KIF Örebro DFF [14]

Loans in[edit]

Date Position Nationality Name To Until Ref.
24 January 2024 DF England Asmita Ale England Tottenham Hotspur End of season [15]

Transfers out[edit]

Date Position Nationality Name To Ref.
2 June 2023 GK England Sophia Poor England Aston Villa [16]
6 June 2023 DF England Sophie Barker England Sheffield United [17][18]
FW England Natasha Flint England Liverpool [17][19]
GK England Kirstie Levell England Burnley [17][20]
MF England Charlie Devlin England Birmingham City [17][21]
FW Jamaica Lachante Paul England Burnley [17][22]
MF England Molly Pike England Southampton [17][23]
FW England Jessica Sigsworth England Sheffield United [17][24]
DF England Abbie McManus Retired [17][25]
MF England Connie Scofield England London City Lionesses [17][26]
DF England Jemma Purfield England Southampton [17][27]
FW England Ellen Jones England Sunderland [17][28]
DF England Georgia Eaton-Collins Denmark HB Køge [17][29]
FW England Mackenzie Smith United States NC State Wolfpack [17][30]
7 July 2023 DF United States Erin Simon Retired [31]
13 July 2023 DF Nigeria Ashleigh Plumptre Saudi Arabia Al-Ittihad [32][33]

Loans out[edit]

Date Position Nationality Name To Until Ref.
28 September 2023 GK England Demi Lambourne England Crystal Palace End of season [34]
3 January 2024 DF England Jess Reavill[a] England West Bromwich Albion End of season [35]
15 January 2024 GK England Holly Mears[a] England Nottingham Forest End of season [36]
1 February 2024 MF England Monique Robinson England Burnley End of season [37]
  1. ^ a b Dual registration

Preseason[edit]

9 September 2023 Friendly Leicester City 3–2 Everton Leicester
Report
Stadium: Belvoir Drive
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
17 September 2023 Friendly Leicester City 1–3 Liverpool Leicester
Report
Stadium: Belvoir Drive
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

Women's Super League[edit]

Results summary[edit]

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
20 4 5 11 25 40  −15 17 2 2 6 12 20  −8 2 3 5 13 20  −7

Last updated: 28 April 2024.
Source: WSL

Results by matchday[edit]

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122
GroundAHAHAHHAAHHAAHHAHAAHAH
ResultWWDLLLDLDDLWLWLLLDLL
Position11257777881077778991010
Source: [citation needed]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Results[edit]

1 October 2023 1 Bristol City 2–4 Leicester City Bristol
14:00
Report
Stadium: Ashton Gate
Attendance: 4,132
Referee: Elizabeth Simms
8 October 2023 2 Leicester City 1–0 Everton Leicester
15:00
Report
Stadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 2,150
Referee: Stacey Fullicks
15 October 2023 3 Manchester United 1–1 Leicester City Leigh
12:00
Report
Stadium: Leigh Sports Village
Attendance: 4,903
Referee: Adewunmi Soneye
21 October 2023 4 Leicester City 0–1 Manchester City Leicester
17:15
Report
Stadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 2,447
Referee: Farai Hallam
5 November 2023 5 Liverpool 2–1 Leicester City Birkenhead
14:00
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 1,783
Referee: Phoebe Cross
12 November 2023 6 Leicester City 2–6 Arsenal Leicester
18:45
Report
Stadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 4,179
Referee: Stacey Fullicks
19 November 2023 7 Leicester City 1–1 Tottenham Hotspur Leicester
15:00
Report
Stadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 1,953
Referee: Andy Madley
26 November 2023 8 Chelsea 5–2 Leicester City Kingston upon Thames
14:00
Report
Stadium: Kingsmeadow
Attendance: 2,558
Referee: Marc Wilson
10 December 2023 9 Brighton & Hove Albion 2–2 Leicester City Crawley
14:00
Report
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: 1,954
Referee: Melissa Burgin
17 December 2023 10 Leicester City 1–1 West Ham United Leicester
15:00
Report
Stadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 1,521
Referee: Abigail Byrne
19 January 2024 11 Leicester City 0–1 Aston Villa Burton upon Trent
19:00
Report
Stadium: Pirelli Stadium
Attendance: 1,064
Referee: Elizabeth Simms
28 January 2024 12 Everton 0–1 Leicester City Liverpool
12:30 Report
Stadium: Walton Hall Park
Attendance: 891
Referee: Cheryl Foster
4 February 2024 13 Manchester City 2–0 Leicester City Manchester
13:00
Report
Stadium: Academy Stadium
Attendance: 3,383
Referee: Lisa Benn
18 February 2024 14 Leicester City 5–2 Bristol City Leicester
15:00
Report
Stadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 2,219
Referee: Stacey Pearson
3 March 2024 15 Leicester City 0–4 Chelsea Leicester
18:00
Report
Stadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 3,101
Referee: Phoebe Cross
17 March 2024 16 Tottenham Hotspur 1–0 Leicester City Leyton
14:00
Report
Stadium: Brisbane Road
Attendance: 1,507
Referee: Adewunmi Soneye
24 March 2024 17 Leicester City 2–3 Brighton & Hove Albion Leicester
15:00 Report
Stadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 2,714
Referee: Cheryl Foster
30 March 2024 18 Aston Villa 2–2 Leicester City Walsall
12:30
Report
Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 2,182
Referee: Elizabeth Simms
21 April 2024 19 Arsenal 3–0 Leicester City Holloway
14:00
Report Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 42,820
Referee: Adewunmi Soneye
28 April 2024 20 Leicester City 0–1 Manchester United Leicester
15:00
Report
Stadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 5,211
Referee: Megan Wilson
5 May 2024 21 West Ham United v Leicester City Dagenham
15:00 Stadium: Victoria Road
18 May 2024 22 Leicester City v Liverpool Leicester
15:00 Stadium: King Power Stadium

League table[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
8 Everton 21 5 5 11 20 37 −17 20
9 Brighton & Hove Albion 21 5 4 12 26 43 −17 19
10 Leicester City 20 4 5 11 25 40 −15 17
11 West Ham United 20 3 5 12 18 41 −23 14
12 Bristol City (R) 20 1 3 16 20 58 −38 6 Relegation to the Championship
Updated to match(es) played on 4 May 2024. Source: Women's Super League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored.
(R) Relegated

Women's FA Cup[edit]

As a member of the first tier, Leicester entered the FA Cup in the fourth round proper.

14 January 2024 Fourth round Derby County 0–4 Leicester City Mickleover
14:00
Report
Stadium: Don Amott Arena
Attendance: 911
Referee: Phoebe Cross
10 February 2024 Fifth round Leicester City 6–2 Birmingham City Burton upon Trent
12:00
Report
Stadium: Pirelli Stadium
Attendance: 609
Referee: Megan Wilson
9 March 2024 Quarter-final Liverpool 0–2 Leicester City Birkenhead
12:00 Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Referee: Melissa Burgin
14 April 2024 Semi-final Tottenham Hotspur 2–1 (a.e.t.) Leicester City London
12:00
Report
Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Attendance: 18,078
Referee: Emily Heaslip

FA Women's League Cup[edit]

11 October 2023 Group Stage Leicester City 2–1 Liverpool Burton upon Trent
19:00
Report
Stadium: Pirelli Stadium
Attendance: 485
Referee: Lisa Benn
22 November 2023 Group Stage Manchester City 2–2
(3–4 p)
Leicester City Manchester
19:00
Report
Stadium: Academy Stadium
Attendance: 1,358
Referee: James Bell
Penalties
14 December 2023 Group Stage Manchester United 3–1 Leicester City Leigh
19:00
Report
Stadium: Leigh Sports Village
Attendance: 2,068
Referee: Phoebe Cross
24 January 2024 Group Stage Leicester City 5–1 Everton Leicester
19:00
Report
Stadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 231
Referee: Megan Wilson

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Manchester City (Q) 4 3 0 1 0 10 7 +3 10 Advanced to knock-out stage
2 Manchester United 4 3 0 0 1 12 3 +9 9 Possible knock-out stage based on ranking
3 Leicester City 4 2 1 0 1 10 7 +3 8
4 Liverpool 4 1 0 0 3 6 8 −2 3
5 Everton 4 0 0 0 4 3 16 −13 0
Source: FA Women's League Cup
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of wins; 5) Head-to-head record
(Q) Qualified to the phase indicated

Squad statistics[edit]

Appearances[edit]

As of match played 28 April 2024

Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances after the + symbol where applicable.

No. Pos Nat Player Total WSL FA Cup League Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK Germany GER Janina Leitzig 16 0 12 0 1 0 2+1 0
2 DF Australia AUS Courtney Nevin 21 1 13+2 1 1+1 0 3+1 0
3 DF England ENG Sam Tierney 28 4 20 3 4 0 4 1
4 DF New Zealand NZL CJ Bott 24 0 13+5 0 3 0 2+1 0
5 DF Scotland SCO Sophie Howard 27 1 17+3 0 4 0 3 1
6 MF England ENG Aimee Palmer 11 2 4+3 1 0+2 0 2 1
7 FW Canada CAN Deanne Rose 20 3 4+11 0 1+2 2 2 1
8 FW Finland FIN Jutta Rantala 28 10 18+2 6 4 3 0+4 1
9 FW Germany GER Lena Petermann 24 5 16+2 4 2+1 1 0+3 0
10 FW England ENG Aileen Whelan 25 3 11+7 1 1+2 1 4 1
11 MF Belgium BEL Janice Cayman 27 7 18+1 4 4 2 3+1 1
12 DF England ENG Asmita Ale 6 0 2+2 0 0+2 0 0 0
14 MF Wales WAL Josie Green 24 0 11+5 0 3+1 0 4 0
15 MF Japan JPN Saori Takarada 15 2 9+1 1 4 1 1 0
17 DF France FRA Julie Thibaud 24 0 15+3 0 2+1 0 3 0
18 MF Sweden SWE Emilia Pelgander 10 0 1+6 0 1+2 0 0 0
19 FW Australia AUS Remy Siemsen 9 0 0+5 0 0+1 0 2+1 0
20 FW England ENG Missy Goodwin 21 2 6+9 1 2 0 3+1 1
21 FW Wales WAL Hannah Cain 10 1 4+4 0 0 0 1+1 1
23 GK Netherlands NED Lize Kop 13 0 8 0 3 0 2 0
27 MF England ENG Shannon O'Brien 14 3 8+1 0 2+1 2 1+1 1
29 FW Japan JPN Yuka Momiki 15 2 10 2 2+2 0 1 0
32 MF England ENG Ava Baker 9 0 0+6 0 0+1 0 1+1 0
47 MF England ENG Simone Sherwood 1 0 0 0 0 0 0+1 0
49 FW England ENG Denny Draper 4 1 0+4 1 0 0 0 0

References[edit]

  1. ^ Wrack, Suzanne (8 March 2024). "Leicester Women investigate manager Willie Kirk over alleged player relationship". The Guardian.
  2. ^ "Leicester sack Kirk after relationship allegation". BBC Sport.
  3. ^ "Leicester sign full-back Nevin on permanent deal". BBC Sport.
  4. ^ "Janina Leitzig completes LCFC Women return". Leicester City F.C. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  5. ^ "LCFC Women sign German international Lena Petermann". 10 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Janice Cayman switches to LCFC Women". Leicester City F.C. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  7. ^ Frith, Wilf (1 August 2023). "Leicester City Women sign midfielder Aimee Palmer". She Kicks.
  8. ^ "LCFC Women Confirm Lize Kop Signing". Leicester City FC. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  9. ^ "LCFC Women sign Finland international Jutta Rantala". Leicester City F.C. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  10. ^ "Julie Thibaud signs for LCFC Women". Leicester City FC. 31 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Deanne Rose agrees LCFC Women move". Leicester City FC. 8 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Saori Takarada Signs Pre-Contract With LCFC Women". Leicester City F.C. 8 December 2023.
  13. ^ "LCFC Women Sign Japan International Yuka Momiki". Leicester City F.C. 5 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Emilia Pelgander Makes Leicester Switch". Leicester City F.C. 27 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Asmita Ale completes LCFC Women loan". Leicester City FC. 24 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Aston Villa Women squad numbers for 2023/24". Aston Villa Football Club. 24 August 2023.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "LCFC Women Confirm End-Of-Season Departures". Leicester City FC.
  18. ^ "Sheffield United women announce 'full-time' plan". BBC Sport.
  19. ^ "Liverpool sign striker Flint from Leicester City". BBC Sport.
  20. ^ "Levell is a claret". Burnley Football Club. 18 August 2023.
  21. ^ "Blues sign Charlie Devlin". Birmingham City Football Club.
  22. ^ "Duo sign for Burnley FC Women". www.burnleyfootballclub.com.
  23. ^ "Molly Pike joins Saints following Leicester City exit". Daily Echo. 20 July 2023.
  24. ^ Frith, Wilf (21 July 2023). "Sheffield United Women sign Jess Sigsworth".
  25. ^ "Former Lionesses defender McManus retires aged 30". BBC Sport.
  26. ^ Frith, Wilf (21 July 2023). "London City Lionesses sign midfielder Connie Scofield".
  27. ^ "Southampton FC Women sign experienced defender Jemma Purfield". www.southamptonfc.com.
  28. ^ "Ellen Jones joins the Lasses". Sunderland Association Football Club. 1 August 2023.
  29. ^ Ebbesen, Anders (22 July 2023). "Welcome Georgia". HB Køge (in Danish).
  30. ^ "NC State women's soccer adds four freshmen to 2023 signing class". SoccerWire.
  31. ^ "LCFC Women defender Erin Simon announces retirement". Leicester City FC. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  32. ^ "Ashleigh Plumptre departs Leicester City". Leicester City FC. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  33. ^ "Ashleigh Plumptre: Former England youth international signs for Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad Ladies". Sky Sports.
  34. ^ "Demi Lambourne completes Crystal Palace loan switch". Leicester City FC. 28 September 2023.
  35. ^ "Jess Reavill links up with West Brom on dual-registration loan". Leicester City FC. 3 January 2024.
  36. ^ "Dual-Registration Loan For Holly Mears". Leicester City FC. 15 January 2024.
  37. ^ "Monique Robinson Joins Burnley On Loan". Leicester City FC. 1 February 2024.