London Seaward FC

London Seaward FC
Full nameLondon Seaward Football Club
Founded2004
GroundOakside Stadium, Barkingside
ManagerGeorge Murphy
LeagueFA Women's National League Division One South East
2023–24FA Women's National League Division One South East, 8th of 12

London Seaward formerly Leyton Orient Women F.C. (2015-2021) is a women's football team based in Barkingside in east London in England.[1] The team compete in the FA Women's National League Division One South East. The club play home games at Oakside Stadium in Barkingside.

History

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The club was founded in 2004 as KIKK United by Andrea Berg and Karin Revelj. The team used Mile End Stadium as its home ground.[2]

In 2015 the club was given permission by Leyton Orient FC to use the name Leyton Orient W.F.C.[3] The club would compete in the Greater London Women's Football League, in division 1 (North) during this time. Despite the name change the club would continue to be run separately from the men's side. In March 2021 Leyton Orient announced that they were planning to form their own women's side and that the existing team would no longer be able to use the name Leyton Orient WFC.[4] [5]

As a result of the loss of their ability to compete as Leyton Orient W.F.C. the club was left in search of a new identity, with the club settling on the name London Seaward as a reference to the historic connection of London with the sea. At the same time, the club began playing its home matches at Wadham Lodge, Walthamstow.[6][7]

In May 2023, London Seaward announced that from the 2023-24 season the club would play home matches at Oakside Stadium, the ground of Redbridge F.C.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Who Are We?". London Seaward FC Website.
  2. ^ "About Us". KIKK United FC.
  3. ^ "Home Page". KIKK United FC.
  4. ^ "Women's team cast aside by Leyton Orient out 'to pave a better way for girls in the future'". Evening Standard.
  5. ^ "Leyton Orient FC Dump FAWNL Side Leyton Orient WFC". Since 71.
  6. ^ "Players take the helm at London Seaward". The FA Womens Leagues and Competitions.
  7. ^ "What's in a name?". London Seaward FC.
  8. ^ "Club Statement: Long-term groundshare secured". London Seaward FC.
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