A beginner's guide to Southampton FC Women: Summer 2023 review

Where they're at, where they're going, who they are, how they're doing and how to go.

I owe a big thanks to Chris of Southampton FC Women Supporters Group for fact-checking this piece. Give them a follow for more regular (and better informed) SFC Women content.

What’s this article for?

Interest in Southampton FC Women is rising, as the team rises through leagues. But a weird bottleneck on that growth is basic information about the team, beyond their last result. Building a broad fanbase will take time, but I suspect there are loads of dedicated Saints fans right now who are curious about the women’s team, but don’t know how to connect with it. By dedicated Saints fans, I mean junkies, like me. People who obsess about the club, wait on hour-by-hour transfer updates, look up progressive passes received on fbref.com then write about them on the internet, and then argue with strangers about what they mean. These sociopaths are your gateway to the casuals.

So it’s strange that even I find it difficult to retrieve rudimentary information about fixture dates and venues, player positions, goal and appearance stats. Most apps don’t cover women’s football below the top flight, so it’s fiddly to even check a score while a game is on. The best way I’ve found to check the table is Google ‘FA Women’s Championship’. Season stats are scattered and unreliable, and match stats are almost non-existent. Meanwhile, club media channels focus on off-pitch content: interviews, videos, Q&As, community engagement, but you can’t tell if the new ‘defender’ we bought is a full-back or a centre-half.

So for those curious fans (and myself), I decided to write the most basic, elementary, bread and butter introduction to Southampton FC Women possible. Nothing is too obvious: I’ve started with what league they play in, who the gaffer is, and a two-paragraph potted history. Then I progress into some ropey tactical analysis, breakdown the squad, new signings, review their 2022-23 season and their prospects for 2023-24. I watched a fair bit of the women’s team last season, attending a handful of games and streaming about half of the rest. Hardly makes me an ultra, but because there’s so little out there, even if I get only half the claims I make right, most readers will still come away better informed than they were.

Writing this was a fun experiment. Hours of Googling and I still don’t know if Lexi-Lloyd-Smith is naturally left-sided. Why did we start three right-backs for half of last season? Why is the two-time Championship Player of the Season and Golden Boot winner not in double figures? Where will Molly Pike play? But for every question I haven’t answered, there are two more that I have by researching this piece. And that’s exciting. It’s so difficult to add anything original to the very noisy conversation about the men’s side. By writing this, I get to make a meaningful contribution by stating what should be the obvious.

If it works, I plan to do one every summer.

Southampton FC Women: the very, very basics.

Southampton FC Women compete in the second tier, the FA Women’s Championship. Like the Women’s Super League (WSL), it’s a national league, and about half the teams are fully professional. When Saints were promoted from the third tier, they made the whole team full pro and committed to playing all their home games at St. Mary’s. They still play the odd game at Snows Stadium in Totton when there is a fixture clash.

The league contains twelve teams, who play twenty-two games each from August till April, with an especially busy period September to November. They’ll also compete in the FA Cup and League Cup, where the gap to WSL teams has so far proved cavernous and Saints have been beaten handily by top flight sides. Having since defeated some top sides in the second division, perhaps next season they can make a go of it.

Which Saints?

There have been three women’s teams in the city to play under the name ‘Southampton’ or ‘Saints’, each having had different relationships with Southampton Football Club. This article is Southampton FC Women — established 2017 — not to be confused with eight-time FA Cup winners Southampton Women’s FC (nicknamed the Sirens), or with Southampton Saints Girls and Ladies FC (formerly Red Star Southampton). It is indeed as confusing as it sounds — there is even some debate as to which team won those FA Cups. If you want to get into the historical weeds, The Athletic’s Carl Anka did a good write up in 2019.

The Manager

Since 2018, the manager has been Marianne Spacey-Cale. Is she good? Well we win a lot. Her first coaching gig was Fulham Ladies (2003-2006) after retiring as a player. When Fulham disbanded their women’s team, she worked as development officer for the Worcestershire FA. From 2013 to 2017, she spent a number of years in the England coaching set-up, initially as assistant to Mark Sampson, then as manager of the u23s. In July 2018, after six months of Phil Neville as England manager she left to become the first Head of Women and Girls Football at Southampton. A decorated player who has grafted for two decades in women’s coaching, I really like that she’s building her own thing at Saints, with autonomy, security and resources.

MBE, Arsenal legend, Hall of Famer and one of the best deep-lying forwards England ever had, with 91 caps and 28 international goals, don’t-cha know.

History in two paragraphs

In 2001, Southampton FC invited one of the two women’s teams (SSGLFC) competing under the city’s name into the club fold (affiliated since 1995). When the men’s side got relegated in 2005, the women’s team was one of the first things to go (they carried on independently). In the Liebherr era, interest has ramped back up, and at the same time the FA started putting money and thought into the women’s game. Off the back of their prestigious academy and the appearance of a genuinely well-run club, Saints were granted a licence for a Women and Girls Centre of Excellence in partnership with Hampshire FA in 2015. The Centre of Excellence was later replaced by one of four Tier 1 Regional Talent Clubs (there are now twelve), and an u16 side was formed, followed by an u21 side. For the 2017-18 season, the club fielded adult side in the Hampshire Women’s League Division One under the name ‘Southampton FC Women’.

A big club in a small pond, Saints ran riot in Hampshire and Southern regional leagues. In their first season, they won 11 of 12 games, scoring 42 goals and conceding 5. In 2018-19, they won all 18 games in the Southern Region Premier Division with goal difference of +86, but early curtailment of the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons due to COVID twice denied them further promotion. When they finally achieved promotion to the Women’s National League South it was by application to the FA. Getting out of the third tier is brutal. Winning the National League South title (against Pompey at St. Mary’s) only earnt them a playoff against National League North champions, Wolves. Saints won 1-0.

What happened last season?

In their debut Championship season Saints finished 6th (of 12). It’s the first time they haven’t just pissed the league, but they didn’t just step up a division, but also to being a fully professional outfit who train everyday. It’s a massive gradient and there wasn’t much telling how they’d handle it. As it turned out, they kept pace with eventual winners Bristol City for half the season, then fell away. You’ll note the excellent defensive record (15 GA) is marred by a lack of goals scored (22 GF). More on that later.

How do they play?

Don’t want to be too bold here, but the system is 4-4-2-ish. MSC usually favours a back four, Kendall and Griffiths in the middle, and the wingers generally stay wide (though I’ve noticed them swap wings mid-game a few times). Saints play two strikers, with Katie Wilkinson as the deeper one. Arguably the second striker plays as a no. 10, which is why I’m unsure exactly what new signing Molly Pike will be doing. Below, I’ve suggested she’ll compete with Kendall/Griffiths, but I feel increasingly convinced she’ll take a spot off one of the strikers instead. That’s what I feel I can tell you with confidence.

Then again, Saints have signed three new strikers (giving us five in total), so surely we can expect two of them to start? To be honest, with so many reinforcements Spacey-Cale could experiment with all sorts of setups. In defence, with the addition of Milne and Purfield on the left Spacey-Cale now has plenty of assets from which to build a back five, if she so wishes. Something is cooking, anyway.

Where are they good?

Basically, the team has a really sound base but goalscoring at Championship level has been an issue. Second best defence in the league (15 GA) was let down last season by the fourth worst attack (22 GF).

As such, the summer transfer window has seen major spinal surgery, weighted to the top of the pitch, and little change on the flanks. Six players have been released and eight have arrived, including three centre-forwards, two central-midfielders, a right-sided attacker, a left wing-back, and a left centre/full-back. Spacey-Cale made clear on BBC Solent that the focus has been bringing in players who know what it takes to compete at the highest level — five of eight have WSL experience, the three that don’t are teenagers.

I don't see any further additions being made, but then, that’s what I said last week before Izzy Milne arrived. And then Atlanta Primus. And then Emma Thompson.

Defence

Rendell (GK), Howard (GK). Purfield (LB, LW), Milne (LB, LCB), Parnell (CB), Rafferty (CB), Peake (CB), Collett (RB), Morris (RB, RW), Mott (RB).

The backline is excellent right through, and this season goalkeeper Kayla Rendell (22) became the team’s first England u23 call-up. Fullbacks Ella Morris (20) and Milly Mott (19) are among the best established players in the squad despite their ages; adventurous, energetic fullbacks who like to get forward. Both have represented England, Morris at every level up to u21. Rosie Parnell (29) has been an assured captain in central defence, but Paige Peake (21, pictured) is the star. She has Van Dijk vibes. Just glides about the pitch dominating 1v1s seemingly without effort, pinging long diagonals left and right. If that wasn’t enough, she takes free kicks from centre-back. Peake arrived last summer, claiming the starting spot from Laura Rafferty (27, CB), a seasoned WSL player and Northern Ireland international that came out of the Saints/Hampshire women and girls programme even before the women’s team itself.

Since the departure of Shelly Provan, Southampton have been a little short on the left. Ashleigh Ward (28, LB) is on the club’s 2023 retained list but I am told she has left the club. Mott and Morris are both right-backs by trade, and have taken turns to deputise on the left. Academy graduate Megan Collett (18, RB) has just signed her first professional contract, and her introduction has allowed Ella Morris to push up to right-wing, with Mott behind and Collett on the left.

Marianne Spacey-Cale spoke about the rarity of left-footed players in the women’s game on BBC Solent recently, and expressed that her priority in the transfer market was WSL experience. This summer she has stocked up on both. Jemma Purfield (26, LB) comes with bags of WSL experience and can play as a fullback or a winger, so if Marianne wants two flying backs she now has one to partner Morris. Izzy Milne arrives straight from Chelsea’s academy on her first pro contract and I can’t even find her age, but she plays left-back and left centre-back, padding out the left side nicely.

Midfield

Lloyd-Smith (LW), Kendall (CM), Griffiths (CM), Pike (CM, CAM), Peplow (CM), Wynne (RW), Primus (RW, CAM).

Lucia Kendall (19, pictured) is the jewel of the youth system, one of several products of Saints’ nascent women and girls programme that have come up through the leagues with a Saints side she broke into at 16. She’s represented England at every youth level up to u19, scoring both goals for them last summer in a 2-1 win over Norway. In our 2021-22 National League campaign she scored 22 goals in 27 appearances. I know less about Alice Griffiths (22) but she’s young, trusted and a regular. Chloe Peplow (24) was brought in from Reading on loan in January and has just made the move permanent. She comes with several seasons of top flight experience to balance the youth of Kendall and Griffiths. Southampton seem just fine at centre mid. Phoebe Williams was released this summer.

New signing Molly Pike (22) is an interesting one. Scored goals for fun in her youth career (Chelsea) and breakout season at Everton, and Jacob Tanswell recalls being given the run around by her in training as a CB. He suggested she’s perhaps now a no. 10, but her stats over last few seasons suggest a deeper role. This was my thinking, until she started the friendly against Billericay Town alongside Griffiths and Peplow at the expense of a second striker and scored a hattrick. This lends credence to the theory that she is indeed a no.10, and will play in front of Kendall and Griffiths (or Peplow), as does the straight swap she made with Kendall at half-time (who also bagged a hattrick). Alternatively, she’ll compete with Kendall, Griffiths and Peplow to be in a midfield two, likely the attacking one. That is my best guess. With bags of top flight experience and still so young, she should be strong competition for Kendall or Griffiths, or one of the forwards, depending on her remit.

The wings have seen a lot of turnover, and there’s less I can say with confidence. Academy graduate Georgie Freeland was released this summer having made a serious contribution to the team’s ascent. Megan Wynne (30, RW) is an older but decidedly joyful player to watch who has something to offer every game. Lexi Lloyd-Smith (19, LW) arrived last summer and has made herself a regular fixture with 2 goals in 15 appearances, and can operate on either flank and through the centre. Then there’s Sophia Pharoah (22, FW), a versatile forward who can also play wide and centrally, and has a long association with Saints marked by some outrageous and crucial goals, mazy runs, a long injury lay-off, a stint at Brighton. She’s 22 and if her future at Saints is as eventful as her past we’ll be hearing more about her.

Truth be told, I thought Molly Pike marked the conclusion of our summer business. So to learn late in August that Atlanta Primus (26, RW/CAM) would be returning from Jamaica’s excellent World Cup run to join Southampton was huge news. As a WSL and Championship winner who collected 8 goals and 5 assists for direct promotion rival London City Lionesses last term, it will also raise eyebrows in the division. Primus started three of Jamaica’s four World Cup games (and played half the other) at wide-right, inside-right and no.10 positions, so I expect she’ll compete with Wynne, Morris, and perhaps Pike and Pharoah. Yes she is related to notable skate Linvoy Primus, who is her father.

Forwards

Wilkinson (CF), Pharoah (FW), Dean (CF), Kraft (CF), Thompson (CF).

Not unlike the men’s team, there’s been a bit of an issue at centre-forward. Beth Lumsden was signed at the start of last season and released at the end, after scoring twice in 16 appearances. Long-serving no. 9 Ella Pusey was also released this summer with over 100 appearances and over 50 goals to her name (4 goals in 2022-23). Sophia Pharoah scored 16 goals in 16 games in the National League South (2021-22), including a sublime promotion-winner in the play-off, but her long injury lay-off means she’s not been properly tested at this level. She’s having a good pre-season and seems to be up front a lot.

Katie Wilkinson (28, CF, pictured) won Championship Player of the Season and the Golden Boot two seasons running with Sheffield United, scoring 19 goals in 20 games in 2020-21, but has failed to replicate this output. She was our top scorer last season with 7 goals. This may be because she’s been used as the deeper of the two strikers, almost as a no. 10. You’ll be seeing her lot again this season, perhaps more advanced, perhaps sometimes as a lone striker, with a much revamped support system.

As such, Saints have sought to reinforce at no. 9. In July, Saints signed centre-forwards Rianna Dean (24) and Emily Kraft (21). My best guess is they’ll compete to partner Wilkinson as the runner. Dean is a striker whose impressive CV (Arsenal, Millwall, Spurs, Liverpool) has been blighted by injury. Kraft scored 3 goals in 15 appearances for league rivals Lewes last season, and feels like a cheeky dip into a rival’s youth assets. Just in case Lewes hadn’t had enough of us, Southampton announced Emma Thompson (19, CF) late in August after impressing as a trialist in preseason. She signed for Chelsea last summer after scoring 17 goals in 15 games in the WSL Academy League, and immediately went on loan to Lewes, where on the club website she describes herself as an “old school No 9”. Chelsea fanzine Pride of London suggests her debut season of senior football at Lewes was one of highs and lows.

Three centre-forwards feels like a lot to add in one summer, on top of Wilkinson and Pharoah, and two no. 10s. Exciting, but somebody has to lose out. Best of luck to them all.

Expectations for this season

Since the reformation of the women's team Southampton have made no secret of their desire to get to the WSL as fast as possible. Last season was probably the first where consolidation in the new league was considered acceptable. On BBC Solent in July Spacey-Cale suggested her team should be looking at the top two. By the end of last season, Bristol City (promoted), London City Lionesses and Birmingham City had decisively broken away from the mid-table, each winning over two thirds of their games. Saints will look to break into that elite. Will be interesting to see whether the men’s or women’s chances of reaching the top flight turn out to be more realistic. In the Championship, only one team is promoted and one relegated.

What are matchdays like?

It’s great. Difficult to compare with going to men’s games because it’s fantastic on very different terms. If you’ve been to much grassroots football you’ll recognise the vibe. Everyone hears everything said by anyone — players, fans, officials, coaches, so it’s intimate and spicy. Spectacle is great, it’s dirt cheap, no queues and you can always get prime seats. The club doesn’t skimp on festivities: Saints Brass are usually there, as are the programme sellers, Sammy and Mary Saint. Also you can basically park at St. Mary’s in the industrial estate. Just easy, cheap, honest fun. Go.

First home game is against Blackburn on Sunday 3rd September, tickets should appear here in time.

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