AFC Bournemouth Women

Women's football club in Dorset, England

This article is about the women's football club based in England. For the men's team, see AFC Bournemouth. For other teams called Bournemouth, see Bournemouth (disambiguation) § Football.

Football club

AFC Bournemouth

Full name| AFC Bournemouth Women[a]
Nickname(s)| The Cherries
Founded| 1992; 33 years ago (1992) as Bournemouth
Ground| The Ringwood Community Hub
Capacity| 1,000
The Ringwood Community Hub
Chairman| Bill Foley
Manager| Steve Cuss
League| FA Women's National League South
2024–25| FA Women's National League Division One South West, 1st of 12
Website| https://www.afcb.co.uk/matches/women/

Home colours

Away colours

|

AFC Bournemouth Women (/ˈbɔːrnməθ/ ⓘ BORN-məth), commonly referred to as just Bournemouth, is an English semi-professional women's football club based in Dorset, England. The club plays in the FA Women's National League, Southern Premier Division, the third tier of English women's football, after winning promotion in the previous (2024-25) season.

In 2022, Bill Foley bought out AFC Bournemouth's women's team which was previously under the Community Sports Trust.[3][4][5]

## History

[edit]

### Early history

[edit]

Bournemouth won the 2003–04 Southern Region Division One.[6] The club achieved a league and cup double for the 2005–06 season, winning the Southern Region Premier Division, and beating Slough Town 3–1 in the final of the Southern Region League Cup.[7] The club reached the final of the 2007–08 South West Combination League Cup, but were beaten 4–1 by Plymouth Argyle.[8] Bournemouth were forced to withdraw from the league due to financial problems, and lack of managerial staff. The club ultimately folded in March 2009.[9]

### National League

[edit]

Bournemouth had reformed by 2012, playing in the Hampshire County Football League. The club achieved successive promotions, winning the 2014–15 Hampshire County Division Three,[10] and the 2015–16 Hampshire County Division Two.[11] Manager Steve Davies left the club in 2019,[12] with Bournemouth appointing Steve Cuss as manager ahead of the 2019–20 season.[13] The club successfully applied for promotion to the FA Women's National League Division One South West for the 2021–22 season.[14] Bournemouth made their competitive debut at Dean Court on 10 April 2022, in a 4–1 win against Chesham United.[15]

The 2023-24 season saw the players move to a semi-professional status.[16] The season itself came to a dramatic end, as the last match of the season between Bournemouth and Exeter City Women FC would decide which of the two teams would be promoted.[17] Exeter City chose to play the match in the familiar surroundings of the Exwick Sports Hub, their regular home venue and not at the main St James Park stadium, despite high interest in the match causing tickets to sell out.[18] Bournemouth could only manage a 1-1 draw, which saw Exeter City promoted as champions.[19] Despite not winning promotion, Bournemouth remained unbeaten in the league having last lost a league match against Cardiff City on 5th March 2023, in the previous season.[20]

The 2024-25 season was eventually the team’s most successful on record. The team lost the Determining Round match in the WNL to Moneyfields.[21] However, their 18th successive league game and 18th league win in a row saw them confirmed as champions and promoted to The Southern Premier Division in a match at Dean Court in front of over 7,000 fans.[22][23] Drawing only one subsequent league match made it the second successive season unbeaten in the league.[24][25] A strong defensive performance also saw them not concede a goal for over 1,000 minutes and assisted goalkeeper Erin Foley in winning the Golden Glove Award.[26] In attack, striker Jenna Markham won the Golden Boot award.[27] The team also won the National League Plate Trophy[28] and narrowly missed out on a third trophy, finishing runners up in The Hampshire Senior Cup just 3 days later.[29]

## Stadium

[edit]

Bournemouth normally play their home games at The Ringwood Community Hub, Ringwood. This is a shared facility with Ringwood Town F.C.

Address : Ringwood Community Hub 155 Long Lane Kingston, Upper Kingston, Ringwood BH24 3BX.[30]

The Ringwood Community Hub has undergone a major upgrade to the facilities following an investment of £3.4 million by the New Forest District Council, Ringwood Town Council, Ringwood and District Round Table, AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust and the Football Foundation.[31][32]

New floodlights have been installed on the main grass pitch. An artificial turf 3G pitch opened in February 2023 and is used for training, or if the main pitch is unavailable.[33]

Work started on the new pavilion clubhouse in June 2023.[34] The first game AFC Bournemouth Women played using the new pavilion was on Sunday 13 October 2024 against Bishops Lydeard Ladies AFC in the 3rd round qualifying match of the FA Cup. Although the formal opening of the pavilion, by the leader of the New Forest District Council, took place the following month.[35]

The old Ringwood Town FC clubhouse was subsequently demolished.

Since 2022, the club also play select matches at Dean Court:

Date  | Opposition  | Result  | Attendance

|
|
|

10 Apr 2022  | Chesham United  | W 4-1  | 1,592[36]
16 Apr 2023  | Maidenhead  | D 0-0  | 3,067[37]
5 Nov 2023  | Portishead Town  | W 4-0  | 6,805[38]
10 Dec 2023  | Charlton Athletic (FA Cup)  | L 0-6  | 1,450[39]
24 Mar 2024  | Keynsham Town  | D 1-1  | 6,162[40]
10 Nov 2024  | Swindon Town  | W 4-0  | 6,054[41]
23 Mar 2025  | Bristol Rovers  | W 2-0  | 7,076[42]

## Current squad

[edit]

As of 16 July 2025[43]

### Most recent squad changes

[edit]

At the end of the 2024-25 season AFC Bournemouth published their 'released and retained list', which saw large changes with the following players leaving: Alisha Buckingham, Ali Hall, Erin Bloomfield, Daniela Kosinska, Maisy Smith, Kelly Fripp and Chloe Gilroy. Helen Bleazard retired and Eloise Hall’s dual registration terms with Tottenham Hotspur ended.[44][45]

Before the new 2025-26 season started, the following players joined: Freya Meadows Tuson[46], Sophie Quirk[47], Elena Cole[48], Jessica Hennessy[49] and Georgia Wilson[50]

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

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

1  | GK |  ENG | Katie Scadding
2  | DF |  ENG | Abby Jones (Captain)
4  | DF |  IRL | Jessica Hennessy
5  | DF |  ENG | Holly Humphreys
6  | DF |  ENG | Freya Meadows Tuson
8  | MF |  ENG | Phoebe Williams
10  | MF |  ENG | Molly Barron-Clark
11  | FW |  IRL | Gemma McGuinness
13  | GK |  ENG | Erin Foley
14  | MF |  ENG | Katie James
15  | MF |  WAL | Elena Cole
16  | MF |  ENG | Ellie Strippel
20  | DF |  WAL | Caitlin Morris
22  | FW |  ENG | Jenna Markham
24  | DF |  ENG | Kelci Bowers
25  | FW |  BER | Kenni Thompson
27  | DF |  ENG | Amber Treweek
28  | DF |  ENG | Charlotte Harris
TBC  | FW |  ENG | Sophie Quirk
TBC  | MF |  ENG | Georgia Wilson

### Out on loan

[edit]

There are no Bournemouth players currently out on loan.

For a list of all former and current AFC Bournemouth Women players with a Wikipedia article, see Category:AFC Bournemouth Women players.

## Management

[edit]

### Current management and coaching staff

[edit]

As of March 2025[51]
Name  | Role

|

Steve Cuss  | Manager

## Honours and achievements

[edit]

League

* Southern Region Premier Division (level 4)
* Champions: 2005–06
* Southern Region Division One (level 5)
* Champions: 2003–04
* Hampshire County Division Two (level 8)
* Champions: 2015–16
* Hampshire County Division Three (level 9)
* Champions: 2014–15

Cup

* South West Combination League Cup
* Runners-up: 2007–08
* Southern Region League Cup
* Winners: 2005–06
* The Chairman's Cup
* Winners: 2018-19[52]
* The Hampshire Senior Cup
* Winners: 2022-23,[53] 2023-24[54]
* FA Women's National League Plate
* Winners: 2024-25[55]

## League history

[edit]

Champions | Runners-up | Promoted ↑ | Relegated ↓

|
|
|

Season  | League  | FA Cup | League Cup  | Other

|
|
|
|

Division  | Pld  | W  | D  | L  | GF  | GA  | Pts  | Pos  | Competition  | Res
2018–19  | Southern Region Premier (5)  | 18 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 93 | 16 | 48 | 2nd  | R1  | PR  | The Chairman's Cup

* * *

The Hampshire Senior Cup

* * *

2019–20  | Southern Region Premier (5)[b] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | \-  | Q3  | \-  | The Hampshire Senior Cup  | R2
2020–21  | Southern Region Premier (5)[b] | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 6th  | R1  | R1  | The Subsidiary Cup  | SF
2021–22 | Division One South West (4)  | 18 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 52 | 14 | 40 | 2nd  | R2  | R1  | The Hampshire Senior Cup  |

2022–23 | Division One South West (4)  | 22 | 13 | 4 | 5 | 59 | 21 | 43 | 4th  | R1  | DR  | FA League Plate

* * *

The Hampshire Senior Cup

| R1

* * *

2023–24 | Division One South West (4)  | 22 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 98 | 12 | 58 | 2nd  | R3  | R1  | The Hampshire Senior Cup  |

2024–25 | ↑Division One South West (4)  | 22 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 100 | 7 | 62 | 1st  | R3  | DR  | FA League Plate

* * *

The Hampshire Senior Cup

* * *

Key to league competitions:

* Southern Region Premier - Southern Region Women's Football League Premier Division. (The fifth tier of English women's football.
* Division One South West - The FA Women's National League Southern Division One South West. (The fourth tier of English women's football.

Key to cup competitions:

* DR = Determining Round[c]
* PR = Preliminary Round
* R1, R2, etc. = Round 1, Round 2, etc.
* Q1, Q2, etc. = Qualifying Round 1, Qualifying Round 2, etc.
* SF = Semi-finals
* RU = Runners Up
* W = Winners

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ The full name of the club is AFC Bournemouth, without expansion.[1][2]
2. ^ a b Cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. ^ All National League clubs are entered at the Determining Round, with the winners continuing in the League Cup competition and the losers going into the National League Plate tournament.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Company details". AFC Bournemouth. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
2. ^ "Club trademarks". AFC Bournemouth. Archived from the original on 21 June 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
3. ^ "Women's team brought under Foley control, with investment planned". Bournemouth Echo. 9 June 2023.
4. ^ "AFC Bournemouth acquired by Bill Foley-led partnership". AFCB. 13 December 2022.
5. ^ "AFC Bournemouth". www.bournemouth.ac.uk.
6. ^ "AFC Bournemouth Ladies – History". AFC Bournemouth Ladies. Archived from the original on 12 May 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
7. ^ "AFCB Ladies do the Double!". Vital Bournemouth. 23 May 2006. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
8. ^ "Ambassador League Cup 2007/08". South West Combination Women's Football League. Archived from the original on 23 July 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
9. ^ "Lanahan: Upset to see the club fold". Vital Bournemouth. 5 March 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
10. ^ "2014–15 Hampshire County Division Three". The FA. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
11. ^ "2015–16 Hampshire County Division Two". The FA. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
12. ^ "New Ladies Manager Appointed". Eastleigh F.C. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
13. ^ "Steve Cuss". AFC Bournemouth. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
14. ^ "Women's Team Promoted to National League". AFC Bournemouth. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
15. ^ "Bath Does the Trick as Cherries keep Alive Promotion Hopes". AFC Bournemouth. 10 April 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
16. ^ "AFC Bournemouth's Steve Cuss on changes to women's team". Bournemouth Echo. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
17. ^ "AFC Bournemouth manager Steve Cuss on facing Exeter City". Bournemouth Echo. 4 May 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
18. ^ "Exeter City Women vs AFC Bournemouth tickets SOLD OUT!". Exeter City FC. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
19. ^ "AFC Bournemouth women captain on 'heartbreaking' draw at Exeter". Bournemouth Echo. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
20. ^ "The FA Women's National League". The FA. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
21. ^ "FA WNL Cup_2024 - 2025 Determining Round". The FA. 29 August 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
22. ^ "AFC Bournemouth crowned league champions: In pictures". Bournemouth Echo. 23 March 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
23. ^ "Record crowd sees 'incredible' Cherries seal title". BBC.CO.UK. 24 March 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
24. ^ "AFC Bournemouth beat Portishead Town 5-1 in National League". Bournemouth Echo. 29 April 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
25. ^ "Cuss hails 'dream' campaign as Cherries go two league seasons unbeaten". AFC Bournemouth. 27 April 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
26. ^ "Shot-stopper Foley on Bournemouth's title win". The FA. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
27. ^ "Cherries duo pick up FAWNL awards". AFC Bournemouth. 20 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
28. ^ "AFC Bournemouth beat Cheltenham to win National League Plate". 14 April 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
29. ^ "AFC Bournemouth beaten by Southampton U21s in Hampshire Senior Cup". Bournemouth Echo. 17 April 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
30. ^ "AFC Bournemouth Women". AFC Bournemouth.
31. ^ "£3.4million boost for Ringwood football facilities project to help future Lionesses". The New Milton Advertiser and Lymington Times. 31 August 2023.
32. ^ "Ringwood Round Table grant towards Long Lane development". Bournemouth Echo. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
33. ^ "Progress as 3G pitch opens at Ringwood Town Football Club". Bournemouth Echo.
34. ^ "Work starts on Ringwood Football Club clubhouse project". Bournemouth Echo.
35. ^ "Ringwood Community Hub Opens New Facilities". Bournemouth Echo. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
36. ^ "'It was unreal' - Bath nets hat-trick as Cherries Women maintain push for promotion". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
37. ^ "AFC Bournemouth's women set to play in front of a record crowd". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
38. ^ "AFC Bournemouth women's head coach Steve Cuss on record crowd". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
39. ^ "AFC Bournemouth women defeated 6-0 by Charlton Athletic in FA Cup". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
40. ^ "AFC Bournemouth women draw 1-1 with Keynsham Town". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
41. ^ "AFC Bournemouth close gap on Swindon Town with 4-0 win". Bournemouth Echo. 10 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
42. ^ "Cherries on the up after victory at Vitality". AFC Bournemouth. 23 March 2025. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
43. ^ ""AFC Bournemouth Women"". AFC Bournemouth. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
44. ^ "Women's 2024/25 released and retained list". AFCB. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
45. ^ "Fairytale finish for retiring Bleazard". AFCB. 27 April 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
46. ^ "Freya Meadows Tuson joins AFC Bournemouth". Bournemouth Echo. 14 July 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.`{{cite news}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
47. ^ "AFC Bournemouth sign Sophie Quirk from WSL 2 side Portsmouth". Bournemouth Echo. 16 July 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.`{{cite news}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
48. ^ "Wales under-19 international Cole signs for Cherries". AFC Bournemouth. 18 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
49. ^ "Hennessy becomes women's latest summer signing". AFC Bournemouth. 23 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
50. ^ "New recruit Wilson hails club's ambition". AFC bournemouth. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
51. ^ "AFC Bournemouth Women's Team". AFC Bournemouth. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
52. ^ "The FA". 19 May 2019.
53. ^ "AFC Bournemouth women defeat Portsmouth in Hampshire Senior Cup". Bournemouth Echo. 20 March 2023.
54. ^ "Steve Cuss on AFC Bournemouth women winning Hampshire Senior Cup". Bournemouth Echo. 15 May 2024.
55. ^ "AFC Bournemouth claim FA WNL Plate". The FA. 28 April 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

AFC Bournemouth

General|

* Seasons
* Academy teams
* Players
* Managers
* Women's team

Ground|

* Dean Court

Matches|

* 1984 Associate Members' Cup final
* 1998 Football League Trophy final
* 2003 Football League Third Division play-off final
* Liverpool 9–0 Bournemouth (2022)

* v
* t
* e

FA Women's National League

Seasons|

| Top level|

* 1991–92
* 1992–93
* 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96
* 1996–97
* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–2000
* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10

|

Below WSL|

* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25
* 2025–26

Clubs
2024–25|

| Northern Division|

* Burnley
* Derby County
* Halifax
* Hull City
* Liverpool Feds
* Loughborough Lightning
* Middlesbrough
* Rugby Borough
* Sporting Khalsa
* Stoke City
* West Bromwich Albion
* Wolverhampton Wanderers

|

Southern Division|

* AFC Bournemouth
* AFC Wimbledon
* Billericay Town
* Cheltenham Town
* Exeter City
* Gwalia United
* Hashtag United
* Lewes
* Oxford United
* Plymouth Argyle
* Real Bedford
* Watford

Div. One North|

* Blackburn Rovers
* Cheadle Town
* Chester-le-Street Town
* Chorley
* Doncaster Rovers Belles
* Durham Cestria
* Huddersfield Town
* Leeds United
* Norton & Stockton Ancients
* Stockport County
* Wythenshawe
* York City

Div. One Midlands|

* Barnsley Women
* Boldmere St. Michaels
* Kidderminster Harriers
* Leafield Athletic
* Lincoln United
* Northampton Town
* Notts County
* Peterborough United
* Sheffield
* Stourbridge
* Sutton Coldfield Town
* Worcester City

Div. One South East|

* Actonians
* AFC Sudbury
* Cambridge United
* Chatham Town
* Chesham United
* Dulwich Hamlet
* Fulham
* London Bees
* Luton Town
* Milton Keynes Dons
* Norwich City
* Queens Park Rangers

Div. One South West|

* Abingdon United
* Ascot United
* Bournemouth Sports
* Bridgwater United
* Bristol Rovers
* Keynsham Town
* Maidenhead United
* Marine Academy Plymouth
* Moneyfields
* Portishead Town
* Swindon Town
* Worthing

Associated
competitions|

* FA Women's National League Cup
* FA Women's National League Plate
* FA Women's Premier League National Division (defunct)
* Combination Women's Football Leagues (defunct)

*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
*[DF]: Defender
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[FW]: Forward
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*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template