West Ham United Ladies were founded in 1991.
Since then, the Hammers have risen through the ranks of the women's game to take their place in the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division.
Three times winners of the Essex FA County Cup and managed by West Ham legend Julian Dicks, the Ladies are hoping to continue to grow at all levels.
Ladies - Squad
Jess Barling
Position: Defender
Left-back who is now in her second spell with the Club...Previously spent a number of seasons with the Hammers before departing in summer 2013...Part of the Ladies squad which won the Essex FA County Cup in 2009, defeating Colchester United 9-0 in the final...Totalled 27 appearances and scored four goals for the Ladies in 2011/12...Made 21 appearances in all competitions in 2012/13...Returned to West Ham Ladies near the end of pre-season in summer 2014.
Ruby Baxter
Position: Defender
A centre-back who joined the Ladies from Bristol Academy in summer 2014...Returned to the Hammers after featuring for the club at U12 level... Appeared for Leyton Orient's Centre of Excellence when The FA introduced a one-club rule as a schoolgirl, preventing her from continuing to play for both clubs...Strong both in the air and on the floor...Started every one of the Ladies' pre-season fixtures in summer 2014...Made her competitive senior debut for the Ladies in a 2-1 league win at Queens Park Rangers on 24 August 2014.
Kelley Blanchflower
Position: Midfielder
Attacking midfielder who joined the Hammers at the start of the 2011/12 season, having formerly played for Arsenal Ladies Academy...After starting her career with West Ham positively, Blanchflower suffered a major injury setback in September 2012 when she fell awkwardly during a league game at Queens Park Rangers and broke her collarbone...Scored six goals in 18 games in her injury-affected 2012/13 season...Scored nine goals in 22 appearances in all competitions in 2013/14 to finish as the Club's top scorer...Netted the Ladies' second goal in their Essex FA County Cup final win over Barking in April 2014...Scored the winner in the Ladies' opening day league win at Queens Park Rangers on 24 August 2014.
Katie Bottom
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Initially oined West Ham United Juniors at the age of 12, becoming a firm part of the Academy side that dominated girls' football at that level...Made 15 appearances in all competitions in 2-2012/13, scoring one goal...Totalled 18 appearances and one goal for the Ladies in 2013/14...Started her career as a midfielder before moving to a new position at left-back in 2013/14...Is a lifelong Hammers fan who works for West Ham United Community Sports Trust as a coach.
April Bowers
Position: Midfielder
Attacking midfielder, winger or forward who joined the Ladies at the age of 15...Came through the Club's junior teams before breaking into the first-team squad in 2011/12, when she scored twice in 18 appearances...Netted four goals in a 13-2 Essex FA County Cup win over Witham Town in February 2013...Totalled seven goals in 20 appearances in 2012/13...Was a used substitute in the Essex FA County Cup final win over Barking in April 2014...Made eight appearances in 2013/14 as work commitments restricted her availability.
Alma Donohoe
Position: Midfielder
Joined West Ham United from Mile End-based KIKK United in summer 2014...Scored seven goals for KIKK United in 2013/14...A quick and skiful attacking midfield player...Made her competitive debut for West Ham United in
Studied for a BA and MA in Economics at the University of Cambridge...Studied for a Masters in Business Administration at Harvard Business School...Works in investment banking away from football.
Vicky King
Position: Defender
Experienced full-back who is the Ladies' longest-serving player, having initially joined West Ham United in 1998...Appeared as a substitute in the 2011 Essex FA County Cup final win over Hutton...Totalled 23 appearances in 2012/13...Started the Essex FA County Cup final win over Barking in April 2014...Scored once in 22 games in 2013/14...Scored twice in four pre-season fixtures in summer 2014, netting against C&K Basildon and Denham Ladies.
Vicky Kinsman
Position: Forward
One of five players to join West Ham United in summer 2014...Initially played for the Hammers as a teenager...Spent two seasons with Barking before giving up football to get married and start a family...Returned to Barking in summer 2013, starting their 5-1 Essex FA County Cup final defeat by the Hammers in April 2014.
Zoe Lipley-Hinton
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Joined West Ham United from Herongate Athletic Girls at the age of 15...Came through the Hammers' U16 side and Development Squad before joining the first-team squad in the 2012/13 season...Totalled 19 first-team appearances in 2012/13, scoring one goal...Netted her maiden goal for the Club in a League Cup preliminary round tie against Colchester United in November 2012...Netted once in 19 first-team appearances in 2013/14...Started the 2014 Essex FA County Cup final victory over Barking.
Stacey Little
Position: Midfielder
Club and first-team captain...Goal-scoring midfielder...Lifelong West Ham United supporter...Played junior football for Hatfield Youth...Began her career with Queens Park Rangers before spending three seasons with Charlton Athletic...Joined West Ham United in summer 2010...Scored once in 28 appearances in 2011/12...Started the 2012 Essex FA County Cup final win over Hutton...Netted once in 25 games in 2012/13...Suffered a serious ankle injury in October 2013 that threatened her career...Returned to fitness and was appointed captain in February 2014 and led the Hammers to Essex FA County Cup final glory against Barking two months later...Scored three goals in 17 appearances in all competitions in 2013/14...Launched the social media campaign that saw Julian Dicks appointed first-team manager in summer 2014...Works in facilities management outside football.
Whitney Locke
Position: Forward
Joined West Ham United from West Billericay Ladies in summer 2014 after training with the Club during the latter part of the 2013/14 season...Spent five seasons with West Billericay Ladies...Scored twice on her Development Squad debut for the Hammers in a 3-2 home league win over C&K Basildon on 7 September 2014.
Sarah McCrea
Born: 3 February 1989, Carlisle, England
Position Midfielder
Attacking midfielder or winger who joined West Ham United from Charlton Athletic in December 2013...Started her career with junior club Newlaithes in her home city of Carlisle...Played for Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End...Scored five goals in 12 appearances in her first half-season with the Club...Netted in the 5-1 Essex FA County Cup final victory over Barking in April 2014...Works as a primary school teacher away from football...Supports Everton.
Lily Mellors
Position: Midfielder
Began her career with Colchester United as an Under-10 before joining West Ham United in November 2012...Scored once in eight first-team appearances in 2011/12...Netted five goals in 19 games in all competitions in 2013/14, including three in three Essex FA County Cup ties...Opened the scoring in the 5-1 Essex FA County Cup final win over Barking in April 2014.
Danica Revell
Position: Defender
Spent time with Leyton Orient's Centre of Excellence as a youngster...Joined West Ham United as a teenager in 2009 and has graduated from the Club's junior sides into the first-team squad...Started the 2012 Essex FA County Cup final win over Hutton...Totalled 25 first-team appearances in 2011/12...Named 2011/12 Young Player of the Year...Made 23 first-team appearances in 2012/13...Totalled 14 appearances in 2013/14, with a knee injury restricting her availability...Started the 2014 Essex FA County Cup final victory over Barking.
Nikita Runnacles
Position: Goalkeeper
Arsenal-supporting goalkeeper who joined the Ladies from Millwall Lionesses in summer 2014...Began her senior career with Colchester United Ladies, where she became No1 goalkeeper and an assistant coach...Spent the 2013/14 season with Millwall Lionesses...Made her competitive debut for West Ham United in the 2-1 league win at Queens Park Rangers on 24 August 2014...Is a full-time sports coach when not playing and also coaches the U15s at the Essex FA Centre of Excellence.
Emma Sherwood
Position: Forward
Skilful striker who was the second of two players to join West Ham United from Millwall Lionesses in summer 2014...Began her career with Chelsea before joining Watford in summer 2011...Scored five goals in pre-season in summer 2014, including a 'perfect' hat-trick at Denham Ladies...Opened her competitive account for the Hammers in a League Cup first-round defeat at Keynsham Town on 31 August 2014.