Woodlanders FC make history in grassroots league

The players and coaches of Woodlanders FC have been reflecting on a historic season and their remarkable grassroots story.

Having initially formed a girls' only team to cater for the interest in playing football from local girls two years ago, Woodlanders FC U10s enjoyed a prolific 2023-24 season.

After a chastening first campaign in 2022-23 when they lost all 28 of their games in the Huddersfield Junior Football League, the girls bounced back with vigour this season in a league of mainly boys' teams.

They enjoyed a 28-match winning streak in their league, before becoming the first all-girls team to win the Huddersfield Junior Football League Vase.

And their achievements are even more impressive with their 3-2 victory in the final against a team who were five divisions above them.

Based at the Woodland Glade Sports and Leisure Centre, the team was formed for a group of local girls who were keen to take their footballing exploits beyond the school playground.

"We wanted to show girls could play football and we should have our own leagues, so lets enter into a boys' [league] and see how we get on and that's what we've done," said coach and parent David Gilroy.

"The girls don't get a lot of opportunities so they all came in pretty raw and we got appointed to a very tough league and we lost every game.

"You kind of think, do we want to keep doing that?' but I spoke to the girls and I gave them the choice and all the girls went 'yeah, lets do it!'

"So we just worked extra hard during the pre-season. We lost 28 games last season and then we won 28 in a row this season, which is a miracle.

"It was a dream come true, the girls were all crying and even I'm trying to hold back the tears like 'don't cry, don't cry'"

Woodlanders now operate girls' teams at multiple age groups and you can find out more via their website here.