Four months ago, Wolviston FC had never had a senior women’s team. This Sunday, they will host Women’s FA Cup football at Metcalfe Park for the first time.
In between, the club has formed two senior women’s teams, celebrated its first competitive victory and created a pathway for local girls that simply did not exist a few months ago.
Wolviston is a small village within Billingham, an area already home to several established football clubs, including Billingham Town, Billingham Synthonia, Billingham United and Billingham Juniors. Yet, until this summer, none had a senior women’s team.
For local girls and women wanting to continue their football beyond the junior game, that often meant travelling to neighbouring areas such as Hartlepool, Norton or Stockton. Wolviston FC decided to change that.
Launched in May 2026, Wolviston FC Ladies became the first senior women’s football team in Billingham, immediately allowing local players to represent their home area.
The response was even greater than the club could have anticipated. The quality and experience within the group saw the Ladies placed into the Durham FA Women’s League Premier Division for their inaugural campaign, but the demand from players quickly made it apparent that one team wasn’t going to be enough.
Within weeks, Wolviston FC United was formed.
Rather than turning players away, the club created another senior side, initially intended to compete in the Development Division.
An unbeaten pre-season changed those plans. United were moved directly into Division One, bypassing Division Two before they had even played their first competitive league fixture.
Making history in Whitehaven
Wolviston Ladies’ first competitive fixture was also their first appearance in the Women’s FA Cup.
On 23 August, the newly formed side made the long journey north to face Whitehaven AFC in the Preliminary Round.
It was a trip that felt significant before a ball had even been kicked. A 55-seat coach carried the players, management and supporters towards Whitehaven, while those back in Billingham followed the action through updates and a live stream.
The players had only been together for a matter of months, but what followed was a performance that immediately gave the new team a piece of club history.
Whitehaven took the lead before Lexi Simmonette scored the first competitive goal in the history of Wolviston.
Substitute Connie Robinson then struck twice to put Wolviston 3-1 ahead.
The afternoon, however, was about to become considerably more difficult.
Robinson was stretchered off with an injury and, following another injury later in the match, Wolviston were forced to play the closing stages with just ten players.
Whitehaven pulled a goal back. But Wolviston held on to win 2-3, as sponsors of Whitehaven, I’ll just about forgive them. Just.
Their first competitive fixture. Their first competitive win. Their first Women’s FA Cup appearance. Their first FA Cup victory. All in the same afternoon.
Dan Booty, Wolviston FC Ladies coach, believes the result said everything about the character already developing within the group.
“The game against Whitehaven AFC was a clear reflection of the identity, character and togetherness that define this team and this club.
Regardless of the circumstances, we continue to work together towards one common goal. The heart, determination and passion shown by every player were truly outstanding.
To go down to 10 players, protect the lead and ultimately create history for the club demonstrates the incredible spirit within this group.
A huge amount of credit goes to every single player for their commitment, resilience and belief. What a special achievement. This is what being part of this club is all about. Together, we continue to make history”
That history will now continue on Sunday when the fledgling club welcome Wigginton Grasshoppers to Metcalfe Park in the First Round Qualifying of the Women’s FA Cup.
It will be the first competitive senior women’s match ever played at Metcalfe Park.
Club Secretary Helen Bigerstaff has watched the transformation unfold over the last few months.
“What has happened at Wolviston over the last few months has been incredible to see. In May we didn’t have a senior women’s team; now we have two, we’ve already celebrated our first Women’s FA Cup win and this Sunday we’ll host our first competitive senior women’s match ever played at Metcalfe Park. But for me, the most exciting part is what this could mean long term.
“Our younger girls can now look at the senior teams wearing the same badge and see somewhere they can aspire to be. None of this happens without the players, coaches, volunteers, local businesses, supporters and the fantastic guidance we’ve received from Durham FA. It really has been a whole-club and whole-community effort, and hopefully this is only the beginning of something very special for women’s and girls’ football at Wolviston.”
Because while winning an FA Cup tie is something nobody at Wolviston will forget, creating a sustainable pathway for the next generation could prove even more significant.
Wolviston already has an U12 girls’ team, while its mixed U15 squad includes three girls. Until this summer, those players could wear the Wolviston badge during their junior years, but there was no senior women’s team waiting for them when they reached that stage.
Lily Reynolds is one of the players who understands what that means, “Sunday is an exciting one for us. Our newly formed team heads into the next round of the FA Cup, it being our first ever competitive home game and this is only the beginning.
Being the only ladies’ team representing the Billingham area makes what we’re building even more special. But Wolvo is about so much more than football, it’s family. The girls give everything for each other, our coaches believe in every single individual, and the support around us is incredible, from sponsors, volunteers, family and friends”.
Michaela Garvey has also seen just how quickly the club has developed, “It’s hard to believe it’s been four months it feels like we’ve been here from the start. The interest has been incredible and to already have enough players for two teams shows how much a ladies team was needed in the area.
Winning our first ever competitive game was a massive moment for all of us, and doing it away from home in the FA Cup made it even more special. Now Sunday is another F.A game, our first competitive game at home — and we’re all really excited for it.
What’s probably meant the most is the support we’ve had. Local businesses, coaches, volunteers, friends and families have all got behind us from day one and made us feel like a real part of the club.
And personally, it’s brilliant having a ladies team in my home town Billingham. Also been on the map like Hartlepool, Norton Stockton and Middlesbrough to play football, so to now have a team representing a local area is something I’m really proud to be part of.”
The creation of United has also ensured that Wolviston’s women’s section isn’t simply about putting one team on the pitch. United manager Anth Antoniou sees the second team as an important part of that process.
“United is all about building a pathway, a route for talented young players from grassroots right through to the ladies game, and a platform to show what they can do. I believe in footballers being footballers, mastering the basics, learning to adapt to the opposition, and being free to express themselves. Come and watch United and you’ll see a side that plays with real identity and isn’t afraid to have a go!”
Jamie Blake, United coach, has been equally impressed by the way the group has come together.
“In one word – incredible! I am most impressed with the way the team have gelled so well in such a short time. Our pre-season results has seen us moved up a couple of divisions already, that’s two promotions in a few weeks! We can’t wait to get our debut season underway and if the determination and talent shown by the group so far is anything to go by it’s going to be a cracker.”
And that sense of belonging appears to be one of the defining features of the entire women’s section.
James Garvey believes the togetherness within the squad is something that has developed remarkably quickly.
“What’s impressed me most is the attitude of the whole squad, how hard they work for each other and the genuine friendship group we’ve created. It’s more than just turning up to play football; the players really want to be part of Wolviston and represent the club. Today, I want that togetherness and desire to show on the pitch.”
Marty Clennett believes the FA Cup can help establish them within their community.
“Playing in the Women’s FA Cup is huge for the team and for the local area. We hope it attracts new supporters, because it’s brought a real energy to the club and is helping bring our junior and senior teams closer together.
We want everyone to feel involved and, hopefully, inspired by what’s happening.
Being the first senior women’s team in Billingham, and currently the only one, is something we’re really proud of. We hope these FA Cup games capture the interest of local supporters and businesses and help us continue growing the club even further.”
And that is why Sunday’s match against Wigginton Grasshoppers feels like considerably more than a First Round Qualifying tie, but whatever happens on Sunday, something much bigger has already been achieved.
And girls growing up around Billingham now have something they didn’t have before, a local senior women’s team to watch, support and, perhaps one day, play for.
