Blackburn Rovers Ladies - History

Formed in 1991, Blackburn Rovers Ladies have enjoyed a glorious rise to the pinnacle of women's football.

Under the supervision of the club's Community Department and the watchful eye of BRFC, the ladies team needed only seven seasons to reach the Northern Combination League.

Following a move to the club's magnificent £20m Brockhall training complex in 2003, Rovers went on to lift the Lancashire Cup and become the first team to win the Northern Combination title with a 100% league record.

Rovers then made a massive impact in their first year of Premier League football, retaining the Lancashire Cup and narrowly missing out on promotion after suffering just three league defeats and ending the season third.

However, an undefeated Rovers set a Northern Division record in 2005-06, wining 20 of their 22 league games and lifting the Lancashire Cup for the third year running, whilst Andy McNally became the first coach from outside the top flight to be named Nationwide Manager of the Year.

Adam Lakeland replaced McNally at the helm in January 2007, as Rovers ended their first ever season of top-flight football in fine form.

Lakeland guided the team to a fourth successive Lancashire Cup, the historic achievement of two successive FA Women's Cup Team of the Round awards, en route to the semi-final stage, and a top-half finish in the National Division table.

Few clubs survive a second season in the top tier, but Rovers ended a mixed 2007-08 campaign (which also included a run to the quarter-finals of the Premier League Cup) in eighth place. They also retained their country crown for the fifth year running.

Rovers endured a disappointing season in 2008-09, losing the Lancashire Cup final on penalties to Rochdale and ending their Premier League campaign in ninth place.

However, they bounced back last term, winning the Lancashire Cup for the sixth time in seven seasons and ending the league season strongly, which included an historic 1-1 draw against Arsenal at Ewood Park, in seventh place. Rovers' Reserves also lifted their league title.

With an exciting crop of young players coming through the ranks, Rovers have much to look forward to in 2010.

Blackburn Rovers Ladies - Honours

2003-04
* Northern Combination - winners (with 100% record)
* Lancashire Challenge Cup - winners

2004-05
* Lancashire Challenge Cup - winners

2005-06
* Premier League Northern Division - winners (with unbeaten record)
* Lancashire Challenge Cup - winners
* Nationwide Manager of the Year - Andy McNally

2006-07
* Lancashire Challenge Cup - winners
* FA Women's Cup - Team of the Fifth Round
* FA Women's Cup - Team of the Sixth Round (historic achievement)

2007-08
* Lancashire Challenge Cup - winners

2008-09
* Lancashire Challenge Cup - runners up

2009-10
* Lancashire Challenge Cup - winners
* (Reserves) Mid/North Division One - winners

2010-11
* Lancashire Challenge Cup - winners