England women's national under-23 football team

England Women's under-23

Nickname(s)	The Young Lionesses
Association	The Football Association
Confederation	UEFA (Europe)
Head coach	Emma Coates [1]
FIFA code	ENG
First colours Second colours
Nordic Cup
Appearances	5 (first in 2004 )
Best result	Third (2005)

The England women's national under-23 football team, also known as England women Under-23s or England women U23(s), is an association football team operated under the auspices of The Football Association. Since 2021, it has replaced the now defunct England women's under-21 team.

Its primary role is the development of players in preparation for the senior England women's national football team. As long as they were eligible, players can play for England at any level, making it possible to play for the U23s, senior side, and again for the U23s, as Natasha Dowie, Rachel Williams and Danielle Buet have in the 2008–2018 era, as well as Katie Robinson, Jess Park, Maya Le Tissier and Ebony Salmon in the current era. ^[2] In 2005 Casey Stoney played for the team in the Nordic Cup, despite already having 30 caps at senior level. ^[3] It is also possible to play for one country at youth level and another at senior level (providing the player is eligible). Helen Lander and Kylie Davies decided to play for Wales at senior level after playing for England U23s, while Sophie Perry elected to play for Ireland.

History

Beginnings

In February 1987 the Women's Football Association (WFA) appointed Liz Deighan to run a women's national under-21 team. Deighan had been a star midfielder in the England team which reached the 1984 European Competition for Women's Football. Four years later Deighan was not re–appointed and John Bilton took over. The team folded shortly afterwards because the WFA had run out of money. Eight of England's squad at the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup had come through Deighan's U-21 team, including Pauline Cope, Karen Burke and Louise Waller. ^[4]

FA sanctioned team

In summer 2004, The Football Association (FA) decided to reconstitute the U-21 team in order to give women a higher level of play to better prepare them for the full national team. Senior team manager Hope Powell held a four-day camp in Shropshire and announced: "This is a major step forward for our international teams and will bridge the gap between Under-19 and Senior levels. We have been observing players in this age bracket for the last six months and with the clubs' assistance I believe we can make this a real success." ^[5] Powell installed her full-time assistant with the senior team, Brent Hills, as coach of the team, which remained an U-21 selection from 2004 through 2008.

Competing as an U-23 team (2008–2018)

2008 saw the change of England's youth national women's team moved to the U-23 level. The move was made by the FA in response to age-level changes FIFA had made to its oldest women's youth competition, now named FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. The age limit was raised from being a U-19 tournament to a U-20 tournament. This adjustment, coupled with a newly introduced U-23 age limit to the Nordic Cup, prompted the FA to rethink and eventually change the youth development team. The team continues to serve as a stepping-stone for players to the England women's national team. Brent Hills explained that it had become more of a challenge to break into the senior team: "When I started, if you were an extremely talented 18-year-old you may have been able to get into the senior team. I'll give you an example, Fara Williams. You would have to be the next Kelly Smith now to be able to do that." ^[6]

England U23s did not have a permanent home. When England hosted a tournament in 2010, the event was held at University of Warwick where it was possible to attend and watch without a ticket. Because of the smaller demand compared to the senior women's national team, much smaller grounds could be used.

The team's last competitive tournament was the 2012 Four Nations Tournament, in which England finished third. They also competed in a variety of competitions, including the annual Nordic Cup, which was previously the top competition for this age group. ^[7]

Move to U-21 system (2018–2021)

In a bid to better aid the transition between the youth pathway and senior football, the FA announced in September 2018 that they were scrapping the U23s and U20s levels in order to form an Under-21s age group, which would become the top tier of the nation's professional development phase. The move would align England's structure to that used in other European countries to allow for more age-appropriate games and better manage individual player development post-U20 World Cup for those who have genuine senior team potential. The then U20s manager Mo Marley was announced as head coach.

Return of U-23 level (2021–present)

In October 2021, the FA announced the return of an under-23 team as newly appointed senior manager Sarina Wiegman looked to increase international playing opportunities for promising players in the senior pathway, particularly those who had aged out of the under-21 squad. Mo Marley was appointed head coach and tasked with also mentoring Emma Coates and Fara Williams as coaches. ^[8] The move came off the back of the cancellation of two editions of the UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship and one FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, further limiting opportunities for youth international experience. ^[9]

In July 2023, a new U23 European League was announced for the 2023–2024 season, from September 2023 until April 2024. The league features nine European teams; England, Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. With the difficulty of transitioning from the under-19 team to the senior team, England women's technical director, Kay Cossington, wants the team to be "really connected with the senior team". ^[2]

In the summer of 2023, further coaches were added to the squad; Remi Allen, Anita Asante, and former Aston Villa manager Gemma Davies. ^[10]

Current players

The following 23 players were named to the squad for the European U23 League match against   Sweden on 4 April 2024. ^[11]

Mia Ross withdraw from the squad due to injury and was replaced by Neve Herron on 2 April 2024. ^[12]

Names in italics denote players who have been capped for the senior team.

Head coach: Emma Coates

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Club
	1 GK	Kayla Rendell	(2001-06-29) 29 June 2001 (age 22)	Southampton
	1 GK	Fran Stenson	(2001-04-27) 27 April 2001 (age 22)	Sheffield United
	1 GK	Lucy Thomas	(2000-03-21) 21 March 2000 (age 24)	Birmingham City
	2 DF	Tara Bourne	(2003-07-16) 16 July 2003 (age 20)	Sheffield United
	2 DF	Anouk Denton	(2003-05-09) 9 May 2003 (age 20)	West Ham United
	2 DF	Freya Gregory	(2003-01-12) 12 January 2003 (age 21)	Aston Villa
	2 DF	Neve Herron	(2003-06-27) 27 June 2003 (age 20)	Birmingham City
	2 DF	Ella Morris	(2002-09-23) 23 September 2002 (age 21)	Southampton
	2 DF	Poppy Pattinson	(2000-04-30) 30 April 2000 (age 23)	Brighton & Hove Albion
	2 DF	Hannah Silcock	(2004-09-18) 18 September 2004 (age 19)	Blackburn Rovers (loan)
	2 DF	Kiera Skeels	(2001-11-20) 20 November 2001 (age 22)	Charlton Athletic
	3 MF	Laura Blindkilde	(2003-09-09) 9 September 2003 (age 20)	Manchester City
	3 MF	Ruby Grant	(2002-04-15) 15 April 2002 (age 21)	BK Häcken
	3 MF	Missy Bo Kearns	(2001-04-14) 14 April 2001 (age 22)	Liverpool
	3 MF	Lucia Kendall	(2004-05-20) 20 May 2004 (age 19)	Southampton
	3 MF	Ruby Mace	(2003-09-05) 5 September 2003 (age 20)	Manchester City
	3 MF	Molly Pike	(2001-01-22) 22 January 2001 (age 23)	Southampton
	3 MF	Maisie Symonds	(2003-02-02) 2 February 2003 (age 21)	Brighton & Hove Albion
	4 FW	Aggie Beever-Jones	(2003-07-27) 27 July 2003 (age 20)	Chelsea
	4 FW	Missy Goodwin	(2003-01-27) 27 January 2003 (age 21)	Leicester City
	4 FW	Jessica Naz	(2000-09-24) 24 September 2000 (age 23)	Tottenham Hotspur
	4 FW	Katie Robinson	(2002-08-08) 8 August 2002 (age 21)	Brighton & Hove Albion
	4 FW	Ebony Salmon	(2001-01-27) 27 January 2001 (age 23)	Aston Villa

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the England squad within the last 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Emily Ramsey	(2000-11-16) 16 November 2000 (age 23)	-	-	Everton	v.   Spain, 4 December 2023
GK	Fran Bentley	(2001-06-26) 26 June 2001 (age 22)	-	-	Bristol City	v.   Belgium, 25 September 2023
DF	Mia Ross	(2003-04-28) 28 April 2003 (age 20)	-	-	Charlton Athletic	v.   Sweden, 4 April 2024 INJ
DF	Naomi Layzell	(2004-02-29) 29 February 2004 (age 20)	-	-	Bristol City	v.   Netherlands, 26 February 2024
DF	Brooke Aspin	(2005-07-01) 1 July 2005 (age 18)	-	-	Bristol City (loan)	v.   Spain, 4 December 2023
DF	Asmita Ale	(2001-11-03) 3 November 2001 (age 22)	-	-	Tottenham Hotspur	v.   Belgium, 25 September 2023
MF	Jess Park	(2001-10-21) 21 October 2001 (age 22)	-	-	Manchester City	v.   Spain, 4 December 2023
MF	Melisa Filis	(2002-07-30) 30 July 2002 (age 21)	-	-	West Ham United	v.   Portugal, 30 October 2023
MF	Grace Clinton	(2003-03-31) 31 March 2003 (age 21)	-	-	Tottenham Hotspur (loan)	v.   Belgium, 25 September 2023
FW	Shannon O'Brien	(2001-10-05) 5 October 2001 (age 22)	-	-	Leicester City	v.   Netherlands, 26 February 2024
FW	Emma Harries	(2002-03-29) 29 March 2002 (age 22)	-	-	West Ham United	v.   Portugal, 30 October 2023
INJ = Withdrew due to injury

Recent schedule and results

2023

Norway   v   England

21 September 2023European U23 League	Norway	1–1	England	Bryne, Norway
17:30	Kyvåg 79' Tandberg  84'	Report	Mace  34' Beever-Jones 76'	Stadium: Bryne Stadion

England   v   Belgium

25 September 2023European U23 League	England	3–0	Belgium	Shrewsbury, England
18:45	Beever-Jones 24' Skeels 72' Morris 82'	Report		Stadium: New Meadow Attendance: 2,500+

Italy   v   England

26 October 2023European U23 League	Italy	1–1	England	Vercelli, Italy
	Correlli 65'	Report	Bo Kearns  18' Pattinson 32'	Stadium: Stadio Silvio Piola

England   v   Portugal

30 October 2023European U23 League	England	2–0	Portugal	Manchester, England
19:00 GMT	Naz 47' Skeels 76'	Report	Soba  90+3'	Stadium: Academy Stadium, Attendance: 1,449

France   v   England

30 November 2023European U23 League	France	0–1	England	Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, France
		Report	Robinson 9'	Stadium: INF Clairefontaine

England   v   Spain

4 December 2023European U23 League	England	1–1	Spain	Burton upon Trent, England
	Morris 30'	Report	Arana 85'	Stadium: St George's Park
Note: Venued changed from Pirelli Stadium due to waterlogged pitch.

2024

Spain   v   England

22 February 2024Friendly	Spain	3–1	England	Marbella, Spain
11:00 GMT	Valdezate 42' Vilamala 66', 81'	Report	Beever-Jones 42'	Stadium: Banús Football Centre

Netherlands   v   England

26 February 2024European U23 League	Netherlands	1–1	England	Marbella, Spain
12:00 GMT	Kalma 90+3'	Report	Silcock 37'	Stadium: Banús Football Centre

England   v   Sweden

4 April 2024European U23 League	England	3–1	Sweden	Wellington, England
	Kearns 23' Skeels 45+2' Robinson 90+3'	Report	Duljan 78'	Stadium: New Bucks Head Attendance: 2,335

Coaching history

• Liz Deighan (1987–1992)
• Brent Hills (2004–2013)
• Marieanne Spacey (2013–2018)
• Mo Marley (2021–2023)
• Emma Coates (2023–present)

References

1. "Coates appointed at WU23s head coach". www.englandfootball.com. 27 February 2023.
2. "England WU23s' new season schedule revealed". England Football. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
3. "Nordic challenge for U21s". The Football Association. 29 June 2005. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
4. Lopez 1997 , p. 68
5. "Soccer: Heatherson looks for England place". Evening Echo. 16 June 2004. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
6. "U23s begin 'rigorous programme'". The Football Association. 7 July 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
7. "The Official Site of U.S. Soccer – U-23 WNT". Archived from the original on 2 January 2009.
8. Association, The Football. "England Women's U23s squad named for Belgium trip in October 2021". englandfootball.com.
9. Frith, Wilf (18 November 2020). "FIFA U-20 and U-17 Women's World Cups cancelled". SheKicks.
10. Sanders, Emma (13 November 2023). "England Under-23s thriving with Wiegman support". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
11. McHugh, Beth (4 April 2024). "England WU23s squad named for final fixture of 2023-24 season". England Football. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
12. Plummer, Joanne (4 April 2024). "Kayla Rendell called into England women's squad". www.englandfootball.com. Retrieved 4 April 2024.

Bibliography

• Lopez, Sue (1997). Women on the Ball: A Guide to Women's Football. London, England: Scarlet Press. ISBN   1857270169.