Newcastle United Women will compete in the Championship next season after securing back-to-back promotions in front of a record crowd at Kingston Park.
Becky Langley’s side, who became the first ever FA Women’s National League team to turn full-time professional at the start of this season, beat Huddersfield Town 10-0 on Sunday.
Newcastle co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi were on hand alongside 7,382 supporters as Emma Kelly opened the scoring after 15 seconds. There were also two goals from Beth Lumsden, another for Kelly, two for Katie Barker and one for Jasmine McQuade, Charlotte Potts, Kacie Elson and Georgia Gibson as Newcastle ran riot.
After being placed under the umbrella of Newcastle’s charitable foundation, the women’s team was officially brought under the control of the club in 2022, when Langley was appointed full-time manager.
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The team’s development has been remarkable, with consecutive promotions as champions of the fourth and third tiers of women’s football. This season encompassed a 399-day unbeaten run in all competitions, which only ended when they lost to Manchester United in the Women’s FA Cup and a defeat in the FA Women’s National League Cup final.
Newcastle has the same ambitions for its women’s team as for its men’s team. “Absolutely – competing for everything and winning a long-awaited trophy for both men and women,” Staveley said. Athleticism earlier this season. “There is no difference in ambition. We are just as proud of the women who are leading their championships as we are of the men who finished in the top four last season.
“But women have a different story to tell. I tell them: “You inspire”. Being there every day encourages young girls to play football, to dream of playing for Newcastle.
Staveley believes that in time, women’s football will be as lucrative as men’s. “What we see is an opportunity to invest in the women’s team now because in the future it will probably match or even exceed the men’s team,” she said. “I have no doubt about it, although there is now a huge disparity.”
Champions again! These are consecutive promotions for@NUFCWomenwho beat Huddersfield Town 10-0. Brilliant scenes. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/6lzUb9eM8p
– George Caulkin (@GeorgeCaulkin) April 14, 2024
(Stu Forster – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)