Gwalia United F.C.

Gwalia United F.C.

Founded	1975; 49 years ago (1975), as Llanedeyrn LFC
Ground	Newport Stadium, Newport
Capacity	5,058 (3,246 seated)
Owner	Michele Adams, Julian Jenkins & Damien Singh
Club Chairwoman	Michele Adams MBE
Manager	Fern Burrage-Male
2023–24	FA Women's National League South, 8th of 12
Website	https://gwaliaunited.com
Home colours Away colours Third colours

Gwalia United is a Welsh women's football club playing in the FAWNL Southern Premier Division. The club was renamed Gwalia United prior to the start of the 2024–25 season.^[1] Prior to this, the club was most recently called Cardiff City Ladies F.C. but has also played as Llanedeyrn L.F.C., Inter Cardiff F.C. and Cardiff County L.F.C.^[2]

The club was founded in 1975 as Llanedeyrn L.F.C. after a local charity match.^[3] In 1981 the name was changed to Cardiff L.F.C., and in 1993 the club linked up with Inter Cardiff F.C. and started playing at the Cardiff Athletic Stadium.^{[citation needed]} In 1997, the connection with Inter Cardiff was terminated and the club changed its name to Cardiff County L.F.C while affiliating with the Cardiff County Council.^{[citation needed]} In 2001 the club began affiliating with Cardiff City, the professional men’s club from the same city.^[4]

At the beginning of the 2003 season, however, the club severed its connection with its male counterpart when its members voted against the men’s club's proposals and its operations became an independent outfit again.^[5] Although they were allowed to keep use of the Cardiff City name and kit colours, their crest is very different, and no longer uses the famous moniker 'Bluebirds', incorporating the Welsh red dragon instead.

In 2006 Cardiff City Ladies won the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division and were promoted to the National Division for the first time.^[6] Relegated in the 2007–08 season, the club again were promoted to the National Division in 2010–11.^[7]

In the 2021/2022 season, Cardiff City Ladies were relegated from the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division and were demoted to the National Division. Club Chair Michele Adams said "We'll be back!" and in the following season; 2022/2023, the Dragons returned to the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division at the first time of asking.

In 2022 the club opened their youth training centre for girls aged 6–16.^[8]

The Dragons Training Centre uses the Soccer Profile to measure and track players' progress, enabling them to develop their technical skills. The sessions run at the centre are open to all players regardless of team affiliation or ability.^{[citation needed]}

The centre is based at the FAW facility, Amdani Hi @ Ocean Way. This is a pioneering hub for women's and girls' football, funded by the FAW.^[9]

As of 11 August 2024.

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  WAL Laura O'Sullivan 2 DF  ENG Libby Piggott 3 DF  ENG Tia Asker 4 MF  WAL Emily Poole 5 MF  WAL Ellie Lake 6 MF  WAL Elena Cole 7 MF  ENG Ellie Sargent 8 MF  WAL Chloe Lloyd (footballer) (Vice-Captain) 11 MF  WAL Jessie Taylor 12 FW  WAL Cori Williams-Mills (captain) 14 DF  WAL Lauren Davies (footballer) 15 DF  WAL Shurima Vine 17 FW  ENG Isobel Newns 18 DF  WAL Caitlin Williams 19 DF  WAL Thierry-Jo Gauvain 21 MF  ENG Ruby Scahill 23 DF  WAL Cerys Jones 25 MF  WAL Keira O'Keeffe 26 DF  WAL Maisie Miller 27 FW  WAL Kylie Nolan 28 MF  WAL Casi Gregson 31 GK  WAL Yasmin Davies

• Welsh Women's Cup (11): 1995, 2003 to 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016^[10]

• 2003–04: first qualifying round, 4th
• 2004–05: first qualifying round, 4th
• 2005–06: first qualifying round, 3rd
• 2006–07: first qualifying round, 2nd
• 2007–08: first qualifying round, 4th
• 2008–09: first qualifying round, 4th
• 2009–10: qualifying round, 3rd

51°28′36.7″N 3°09′24.5″W / 51.476861°N 3.156806°W / 51.476861; -3.156806

• Official website