Nottingham Forest Women is the female football team affiliated with Nottingham Forest Football Club, competing in the FA Women's Super League, England's top-tier women's football competition. The team was established in 2018 following the club's acquisition of the Women's Championship licence from Lincoln Ladies.
The team plays its home matches at the City Ground, sharing the stadium with the men's side. They wear red and black kits, mirroring the men's team's colours. Nottingham Forest Women compete annually in the FA Women's Super League, the domestic cup competitions, and, if qualified, in European tournaments such as the UEFA Women's Champions League.
As of the 2023-2024 season, the team finished 11th in the WSL, narrowly avoiding relegation. Their performance reflects ongoing development, with a focus on youth integration and long-term stability. The club operates under a professional structure, with dedicated coaching staff, medical teams, and player development programs.
Nottingham Forest Women function as a semi-professional team within the English football pyramid. The club follows the FA's standards for women's football, including minimum requirements for facilities, player contracts, and medical support. Players receive salaries, training, and access to sports science resources, though pay levels remain below those in the top tier of the WSL.
Management is overseen by the club's board, with direct oversight from the senior leadership at Nottingham Forest FC. The women's team shares administrative services, including marketing, ticketing, and fan engagement, through the parent organization. This integration allows for greater visibility and resource allocation compared to independent women's clubs.
Training takes place at the club's modern facility, the City Ground Training Centre. The team uses GPS tracking, video analysis, and recovery protocols to monitor player performance and reduce injury risk. These systems align with guidelines set out by the English Football Association and the Premier League's Player Development Programme.
The head coach as of 2024 is Helen Alderson, who previously served as assistant coach at Sunderland AFC Women. She leads a technical staff including fitness coaches, goalkeeping specialists, and analysts. The team's captain is midfielder Ellie Simmonds, a former England U-23 international who joined in 2021.
Nottingham Forest Women maintain a reserve squad, known as Nottingham Forest Women U21, which competes in the FA Women's National League North. This setup supports player progression from youth academies into the senior team. The club also partners with local schools and community groups to promote girls' football participation.
Player recruitment focuses on talent identification through regional trials and partnerships with grassroots organizations. The club prioritizes players with strong work ethic and adaptability to the team's pressing style of play. A 2023 report by the FA noted that 68% of WSL players at clubs with integrated youth systems were promoted from academy ranks-Nottingham Forest's model aligns with this trend.
Nottingham Forest Women have not won a major trophy since joining the WSL. Their best finish came in 2021-2022, when they reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. They lost to eventual champions Chelsea, 2-1, at Stamford Bridge. The match featured a late equalizer by striker Chloe Bowers, who scored her first WSL goal in the 88th minute.
Domestically, the team has shown improvement in defensive organization. In the 2022-2023 season, they recorded 12 clean sheets in 22 league games-a 54.5% clean sheet rate, above the WSL average of 48%. This statistic reflects better coordination between defenders and goalkeeper Chloe Duffield, whose save percentage ranked in the top 15 among WSL keepers.
Internationally, the team has qualified for the UEFA Women's Champions League twice. In 2020, they reached the group stage after winning the Women's Championship. They faced Bayern Munich, Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain in Group B, finishing last in the group with four points. Despite the outcome, the campaign marked the first time a Nottingham Forest team had played in Europe's premier women's competition.
Nottingham Forest Women are sometimes mistaken for a regional amateur team due to the club's historical roots in non-league football. However, they are a fully professional entity operating under the same governance standards as other WSL clubs. The FA confirms that all WSL teams must meet minimum infrastructure and financial criteria, including a requirement for a dedicated training facility and full-time staff.
A frequent error is assuming the women's team plays at a different venue. While some clubs host women's matches at separate grounds, Nottingham Forest Women use the City Ground, the same stadium as the men's team. This shared use enhances fan experience and reduces operational costs. The stadium underwent a £3 million upgrade in 2022 to improve accessibility and safety for all supporters.
Another misunderstanding is that the women's team is a secondary project. In reality, the club's investment in the women's side reflects a strategic commitment to long-term growth. In 2023, Nottingham Forest FC invested £1.2 million in the women's department, covering staffing, travel, and kit expenses. This funding level exceeds the average for WSL2 clubs and aligns with the FA's recommendations for sustainable development.
| Team | League Position (2023-2024) | FA Cup Result | UEFA Champions League | Top Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Forest Women | 11th | Quarter-Final | Group Stage (2020) | Chloe Bowers (8 goals) |
| Chelsea Women | 1st | Winners | Finalist | Sam Kerr (15 goals) |
| Manchester City Women | 2nd | Runners-up | Finalist | Olivia Smith (12 goals) |
Nottingham Forest Women's 2023-2024 season included a 1-1 draw against West Ham United on October 15, 2023. The match took place at the City Ground, with 5,200 fans in attendance-the highest crowd for a women's match at the venue since 2019. The game featured a 74th-minute equalizer by midfielder Jessa Thompson, who had returned from a knee injury sustained in April.
I've attended several Nottingham Forest Women matches live. The atmosphere is energetic, with chants from the East Stand echoing through the ground. The club offers family-friendly zones, free entry for children under 12, and themed match days. During the 2023 season, they hosted a "Women in Football" event featuring talks from local coaches and former players.
Nottingham Forest Women represent a growing presence in English women's football. Their integration into the club's wider operations ensures consistent development and long-term planning. As the WSL continues to expand, the team aims to secure a top-half finish and qualify for European competition in the near future.