Palace Women v Blackburn Rovers matchday programme 2223

Thank you to all our sponsors

Anna FILBEY

Jamie Grubb

Aimee EVERETT Impact Sponsorship

Rianna DEAN

Annabel BLANCHARD

Alan Dean

Eagle Eye View

Kirsten REILLY Andy Davis

Leigh NICOL

Shauna GUYATT

Charley CLIFFORD

Fran KITCHING (GK)

Natalia NEGRI (GK)

Hope SMITH (GK)

The Brand Masters London Ltd

Eagle Eye View

Blue Motor

CPFC USA

Today’s match falls in Women’s Football Weekend, a celebration of the growing community which makes up domestic women’s football in England.

What I love about being in women’s football is the amount of people I work with every day who are paving the way for the game. It’s becoming so much bigger, as you can see with the crowd here today, and I hope many of you will continue to be a part of the Palace fanbase who support us home and away, every game.

It’s my fourth season here now, and third as captain. You get used to seeing familiar faces in the crowd, and we always make sure we go to clap the fans at the end! We have fantastic supporters we can always hear singing for us, so thank you to those who are always there for us. Your consistency of support is fantastic, and it just means everything to the girls.

Having extra fans in today will just be even more amazing. I know the girls absolutely love it when they have the chance to sign autographs and take pictures with you after

the game. It gives us that extra boost, so it’ll be fantastic to have a big crowd supporting us today.

As Palace’s captain, I know the struggles that all of the girls have been through to get to where they are today. A lot of them probably don’t necessarily even see them as ‘struggles’; they just get their heads down, keep working, and keep inspiring the next generation by doing better for the team. I love being a part of that kind of environment.

Looking ahead to today, we know from experience that

captain

A very warm welcome to Hayes Lane to each and every Palace fan here today, and welcome also to Blackburn Rovers’ players, staff and visiting supporters.

What I love about being in women’s football is the amount of people I work with every day who are paving the way for the game. It’s becoming so much bigger, as you can see with the crowd here today

Blackburn are a very difficult team to play against in the Women’s Championship, so we’re expecting a tough game. They can disrupt play very well and challenge you when you’re trying to break them down, but they can also catch you out on the counter-attack, and get goals as well.

We know that Blackburn come here today after a difficult run of results. When a team’s not in great form, it can often mean they’ll be doing everything to go above and beyond to break that run, so that could make it more difficult for us today.

Although we won the reverse fixture 3-1 earlier this season, it was a really tough place for us to go, and a very physical game. The girls put in a fantastic performance and found solutions to the problems that Blackburn posed, ultimately coming out with a deserved win.

I’m writing these notes before our trip to Birmingham City on Wednesday evening, so our last result was that 1-0 win against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane – our third win in our previous four games.

It was an interesting game because we’d only played them a couple of weeks beforehand! The girls put in a dominant performance and I think we could’ve scored more goals against them – although, as a defender, a clean sheet is all you can ask for! We prepared fantastically, and got the result that we deserved.

Confidence is growing again within the group. When you have a bad run of form, naturally it can be knocked, but individuals’

confidence is growing, as well as trust within each other. There have been a lot of learning curves for us this season. On reflection, as a group, we couldn’t have asked any more of the girls. They’ve come in, believed in the club and given everything for the badge. Especially as a captain, trying to get everyone to gel, they’ve

result. They’re a great bunch of girls, and I feel very supported and valued by them, so I’m very lucky to be in this position.

It’s incredible how much the club has changed since I’ve been here. When I first came in, we were training twice a week on astroturf at ten ‘o clock at night.

Each year, we’ve taken the next step towards professionalism, whether that’s increasing the training, increasing our gym time, or helping the girls with those transitions. Now, it’s a completely different club.

There are still some areas we know we can improve, but from where I came in with the club, I’m very proud to have helped us make the transition to where we are today.

We’re always looking up the table and looking ahead to where we can gain points. There are still a few games left. We know what this league is like – it’s very competitive – so anyone can get a result at any time, which would allow us to jump up the table.

This club has so much potential. We’re in the Academy more nowadays for training, and I can see what a big impact that’s had on the girls’ morale and how we’re playing for the badge all the time.

been fantastic in those elements. Over time, this team will just get stronger and stronger, and keep producing more positive results.

I’m always so proud to lead this group. I’ve told them, whenever we’ve been in some difficult places in matches, that I’m always proud to lead this group, whatever the

The facilities are excellent at Crystal Palace, everybody knows that, and the ceiling is very high for us as a team. I can see this club, with your support, progressing, and becoming a big force in women’s football in the future.

Thank you once again for your support – and come on Palace! .

whenever we’ve been in some difficult places in matches, I’m always proud to lead this group, whatever the result. They’re a great bunch of girls, and I feel very supported and valued by them, so I’m very lucky to be in this position

captain

Free

At Palace for Life, we’ve been providing free football sessions for young people in south London for over 15 years, and we’re excited to offer even more opportunities for girls of all ages and abilities to get out there and play. Our free weekly sessions are a great way to make new friends, stay fit, and improve skills under the guidance of our highly-trained coaches.

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Palace celebrates Women’s Football Weekend

This weekend marks Women’s Football Weekend: a collective celebration of the incredible talent, unmissable match action and vibrant community that makes up domestic women’s football in England.

Since the brilliant summer last year which saw the Lionesses crowned European Champions, women’s football has gone from strength-to-strength across the country, with more girls getting involved and record crowd numbers attending women’s games.

Rest in Peace, Charlie

This year, in recognition of Women’s Football Weekend, Palace have already given away a massive 1,000 tickets to today’s match, in order to encourage every supporter possible to get behind the Eagles in their bid for Barclays FA Women’s Championship success.

With just a handful of games remaining in 22/23, every point – and every supporter getting behind Palace Women – will count come the season’s end, and so we thank you for being in attendance at today’s game, and ask you to be loud, be proud, and be Palace.

Earlier this season, Palace Women twice attracted clubrecord attendances to Selhurst Park, with a brilliant 1,969 supporters watching on as the

Eagles took on Charlton Athletic in SE25 in November.

Palace for Life Foundation, meanwhile, continue to provide free football sessions for young girls and women in south London, aiming to inspire them to engage with football, develop fundamental skills, and create a lifelong love of the game. You can find out more about these sessions by visiting the Foundation’s website.

It is with great sadness that Crystal Palace F.C. learned the news that young Palace fan Charlie Ellacott passed away after a battle with cancer.

Everyone at the club shares their deepest condolences to Jon and Sarah Ellacott and all of Charlie’s loved ones at this difficult time. Charlie will forever be in our hearts.

palace √ blackburn sun 26 mar | 12:00

Did you know -

Palace Women have been members of the FA Women’s Championship since 2018/19, playing home matches at Hayes Lane, Bromley. Growing to a long-term plan, the Eagles broke club records with a fourth-place finish in 2021/22, and are aiming to reach the top-flight for the first time in the club’s history.

palace palace

A raft of new arrivals in the summer saw Crystal Palace admittedly take time to gel at the start of this season – but now, back in form and playing with renewed confidence, they are only looking upwards in the Women’s Championship table.

palace preview

Writing ahead of the Eagles’ clash with Birmingham City at St Andrews’ on Wednesday evening, just three points separate Palace from Southampton in fourth place –the position in which they attained a record-breaking finish last season.

Having won three of their opening four league fixtures this season, Palace subsequently went three without a win at the turn of the year. They have since bounced back, however, to again win three of their last four games, including a league double over Sheffield United.

In the reverse fixture against Blackburn Rovers at Bamber Bridge in September, a clinical Elise Hughes hat-trick saw Palace run away with a 3-1 win in treacherous conditions – and the Eagles will be hoping for similar from today’s match-up.

Hollie Olding

Recently voted Palace’s cinch Player of the Month for February in recognition of her outstanding form in the centre of the park – including scoring a 25-yard rocket to open the scoring in a 2-1 win over Sheffield United.

last five

Recent clash

F. Kitching

P. Doran

L. Waldie

A. Everett

H. Olding

C. Haines

A. Filbey

K. Reilly

A. Blanchard

M. Sharpe

E. Hughes

one to watch Coral Haines

The matchwinner against Sheffield United twice in the space of two weeks, versatile midfielder Haines is a former England Under-23 international. She previously featured in the Champions League run which saw Birmingham City reach the competition’s semi-finals, and also enjoyed

N. Negri

A. Johnson

F. Gibbons

C. Arthur

15 apps eng u20

5

clean sheets

Kitching arrived at Crystal Palace last summer with great credentials to her name, having pulled off the Women’s Championship Save of the Season and won the division’s Golden Glove with Sheffield United in 20/21. Kitching formerly played for Chelsea, Liverpool and the Blades, and has twice scooped Palace’s Player of the Month award since joining.

career history: Chelsea, Watford, Sheffield United, Liverpool, Sheffield United

20

Age 28

From Erskine

Joined August 1st, 2022

Debut August 21st, 2022 v London City Lionesses

career history:

Celtic, Hibernian, Bristol City, Birmingham City, Aston Villa

12 Apps

0 goals sco senior

Tough-tackling midfielder Arthur began her career at Celtic from where she moved to Hibernian Ladies. After making her senior international debut for Scotland at the age of 20 – she has since gone on to win over 30 caps – Arthur moved to Bristol City, Aston Villa and Birmingham, before assisting the winner on her Palace debut last summer.

POS DEFENDER NAT ENGLAND

Lizzie Waldie

POS DEFENDER NAT ENGLAND

Emily Wilson-White

POS DEFENDER NAT AUSTRALIA

Polly Doran Chloe Arthur

POS MIDFIELDER NAT SCOTLAND

Leanne Cowan

POS DEFENDER NAT ENGLAND

Kirsten Reilly

POS MIDFIELDER

NAT SCOTLAND

POS MIDFIELDER

NAT ENGLAND

Hollie Olding 16

Ellie Noble

POS MIDFIELDER

NAT ENGLAND

Age 21

Shauna Guyatt

POS MIDFIELDER

NAT ENGLAND

Annabel Blanchard

POS FORWARD

NAT ENGLAND

player profile

From Liverpool

Joined August 1st, 2022

Debut August 21st, 2022 v London City Lionesses goals

career history:

Liverpool, Leicester, Blackburn

16 apps eng u19 5

Blanchard goes up against the side for whom she last season finished joint-top goalscorer, and was named Coaches’ and Supporters’ Player of the Season. A twofooted forward who began her career as a 16-year-old with Liverpool, Blanchard has represented England up to U19 level, including scoring twice in three appearances at the 2018 UEFA U17 Euros.

0 goals eng u21

Age 24

From Uxbridge Joined August 1st, 2022

Debut January 22nd, 2023 v Coventry United

Recently returned from a 16-month long injury, former Arsenal, Millwall, Tottenham and Liverpool goalscorer Dean possesses a proven track record in the Women’s Championship, having won the competition with Liverpool in 2021/22 and finished second-top scorer in the 18/19 season with Spurs.

career history:

Arsenal, Millwall, Tottenham, Liverpool

Molly Sharpe

Elise Hughes

Rianna Dean

Paige Bailey-Gayle

There are 4.36 million of us and we are tomorrow’s female future.

We’re part of every community and come from all social backgrounds, cultures and religions with different skills and abilities. We’re an unstoppable force for good if we’re given the chance. The chance to play football.

We want to play in the school curriculum, at breaktime, after school, at local clubs wherever, whenever we want.

Seasonal Stats

Player stats league table fixtures & results

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Taking small steps today can dramatically improve your wellbeing tomorrow, adding more life to your years. And, it’s never too late to start.

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Crystal palace f.c.

Fran KITCHING (GK)

Annabel JOHNSON

Fliss GIBBONS

Chloe ARTHUR

Anna FILBEY

Aimee EVERETT

Molly SHARPE

Rianna DEAN

Annabel BLANCHARD

Kirsten REILLY

Lizzie WALDIE

Natalia NEGRI (GK)

Paige BAILEY-GAYLE

Hollie OLDING

Ellie NOBLE

Issy SIBLEY

Emily WILSON-WHITE

Elise HUGHES

Polly DORAN

Shauna GUYATT

Hope SMITH (GK)

Coral HAINES

Leigh NICOL

Leanne COWAN

Charlie ELLACOTT

blackburn rovers f.c.

Alex BROOKS

Chloe DIXON

Hannah COAN

Natasha FENTON

Helen SEED

Jade RICHARDS

Farah CROMPTON

Emma DOYLE

Saffron JORDAN

Camilla KUR LARSEN

Meg HORNBY

Kayleigh McDONALD

Ellie LEEK

Annie HUTCHINGS

Millie CHANDARANA

Evie SMITH

Chloe WILLIAMS

Lauren THOMAS

Milly ROBERTSON

Niamh MURPHY

Nicola WORTHINGTON

Faith NOKUTHULA

Shanell SALGADO

For Ticketing, reaction and highlights download the Official Palace App