WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WEEKLY

Twentytwo is the weekly newsletter for dedicated-ish fans of women’s football. A five-minute read, rounding up news, fixtures, transfers, culture, grassroots events and more.

This week: Remembering Matt Beard. Plus: Manchester United make the Champions League, Chelsea go top, Lucy Bronze x Aligne collection.

P.S. We’ve introduced a Jargon Buster to the newsletter. If you spot ^[JB] next to a word, head to the bottom of the email for a simple explanation.

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A moment to reflect

This week, women’s football lost one of its greats. We wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the life and legacy of Matt Beard. From former players to fellow coaches, the outpouring of tributes leaves no doubt that Matt was a man who combined warmth and wit with a fierce commitment to the growth and integrity of the women’s game. Celebrated not just for his achievements as a manager, he was renowned for his genuine care and unwavering support for his players. His infectious personality and dedication made him a beloved figure. He will be profoundly missed. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, players and colleagues.

⚽ PICKS FROM THE PITCH

This week’s WSL top strikes and saves

1. Isobel Goodwin – We’ve been waiting for some Goodwin magic. She bagged a brace ^[JB], securing LCL’s first win of the season.

2. Aoba Fujino got Man City started with this strike from the edge of the box.

3. Rosa Kafaji – What a way to announce yourself. A top bins rocket on her Brighton debut.

🎥 Watch this if you only click one thing: Grace Clinton scores on her debut

Elsewhere, Manchester United came from behind to secure a 3-0 victory over SK Brann and clinch a 3-1 aggregate win in their Women’s Champions League qualifier. Trailing after the first leg in Norway, United needed a strong home performance to reach the UWCL league phase for the first time in their history. Elisabeth Terland was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick to power Marc Skinner’s side through and mark a historic milestone for the club. Watch the highlights.

RESULTS: WSL MATCHDAY 03

• Everton 1-2 London City Lionesses [Highlights]

• Tottenham Hotspur 1-5 Manchester City [Highlights]

• Aston Villa vs Liverpool – Postponed

• Brighton & Hove Albion 4-1 West Ham United [Highlights]

• Chelsea 1-0 Leicester City [Highlights]

• Manchester United 0-0 Arsenal [Highlights]

AS IT STANDS

🚨ICYMI

Top Headlines

💸 Bristol City Women have been acquired by Mercury13, a multi-club ownership group focused on the women’s game. They already have a stake in Como Women (Italy) and are expanding their footprint across Europe. Their arrival at Bristol promises fresh investment and ambitious plans for promotion.

🧤 Liverpool goalkeeper Rafaela Borggrafe is under FA investigation for allegedly using discriminatory language during the club’s official squad photo shoot. Liverpool has condemned any form of abuse in football and is supporting the process.

🎮 Football Manager 26 will debut with fully licensed Barclays WSL and WSL2, complete with official player photos, kits, club logos and full squads for 24 teams. Every league match will be playable, offering fans a completely authentic women’s football experience from November 4. Read more

🗳️ The Women’s Champions League league phase draw is out. Arsenal take on OL Lyonnes, Real Madrid, Twente, Bayern Munich, Benfica and OH Leuven. Chelsea will battle Barcelona, Roma, Paris FC, Wolfsburg, St. Pölten and Twente. Following their midweek win and subsequent qualification, Manchester United face OL Lyonnes, Paris Saint-Germain, Vålerenga, Wolfsburg, Juventus and Atlético de Madrid. With the top four finishing spots guaranteeing a quarter-final ticket, it’s all to play for. Watch the full draw here. If you’re not quite sure how the new format works, have a quick watch of this explainer.

🕹️ UEFA has extended its global partnership with EA Sports, confirming that the UEFA Women’s Champions League and Women’s EURO will remain official game modes in EA SPORTS FC 26.

🏆 Over in the US, Kansas City Current’s run to the NWSL Shield has been nothing short of phenomenal: a record 17 wins from 21 matches, a 14-game winning streak and the league’s quickest title clinch – five matches from season’s end.

🚀 The NWSL is launching its first-ever Combines this December – a showcase event where top young and college-aged players will perform in front of pro scouts. Designed to replace the draft system, the Combines provide fresh pathways into the league, with separate events for youth (U13-17) and adults (U18-23). Read more

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING

• Manchester United’s fast WSL start can’t mask growing apathy and frustration - The Guardian

• Maddy Cusack: It's difficult to grieve when you're fighting for justice – The BBC

👀 FAVE FINDS

• Lucy Bronze hasn’t let that pesky broken leg slow her down - she’s channelling her energy into a new Aligne collection. The Lioness’s stylish brand deal brings sharp, wearable pieces that we can’t wait to snap up. Shop the collection

• If Ella Toone cheering you on is just what you need to finally start Couch to 5K, good news – she's the new voice for the popular running app. Whether she can cut it as a motivator or will just have everyone chuckling their way through the k’s remains to be seen. Watch her in action

• Mary Fowler is sharing her story with her debut book, Bloom, out this November. If, like me, you’re wondering how much story you can have to share by age 22, she says it’s a candid journal of lessons and reflections that “would've been helpful for my teenage self to read” and she wanted to share them before those memories faded. Based on how many of my memories from last week have already faded, that seems a good enough reason to me. Pre-order now

✍️ INSIDE TRACK

Transfer Round-up

• Alexia Putellas has turned down a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain. The rumours had been swirling all week, and although PSG made a high-profile approach, they didn’t meet her €1 million (£860,000) release clause; otherwise, Barcelona would’ve had no choice but to sell. The two-time Ballon d'Or winner remains committed to Barça, where she has over 450 appearances and a contract running until next summer, with an option to extend until 2027. Her decision comes at a time when Barcelona are managing a smaller, more budget-conscious squad following several off-season departures.

• Chelsea has extended Japanese international Maika Hamano’s contract until 2029, securing the young forward’s future at Stamford Bridge.

• In WSL2, Crystal Palace have boosted their squad by signing midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn. The experienced player joins the Eagles to add creativity and leadership as Palace push for promotion.

👟 KIT DROP

UMBRO, Drumsheds, and Enfield Town FC have teamed up for a limited-edition shirt that celebrates North London’s unique blend of football and rave culture. Designed to channel community spirit and grassroots pride, linking the rituals of football crowds with the energy of the dancefloor. It’s a statement piece with authentic roots, available now in limited quantities online.

Meanwhile, the Cruel Pancake x Kappa “Maestro of the Game” capsule serves up retro romance with vintage football style. This collection nods to classic Kappa designs with sharp tailoring and nostalgic details, perfect for anyone looking to flex timeless flair on and off the pitch.

🤓 KNOWLEDGE

Emma Hayes x Empowering Leaders podcast with Luke Darcy

Emma Hayes shares her journey from a career-ending injury at 17 to becoming the head coach of Chelsea and now the US Women’s National Team. She discusses reshaping sport through a female lens, emphasising the need for coach education tailored to women’s health, workplace policies supporting menopause, and leadership grounded in wellbeing.

Listen here

🛋️ DITCH THE SOFA

Upcoming Events

Get Your Kits Out
Saturday 27 September 2025, 11:00-16:00 and 19:00-00:00

Fans of football, design and fashion, this is the perfect event for you. Daytime brings a grassroots marketplace full of upcycled football fashion, limited-edition women's merch, team talks with special guests, prizes, and live DJs. Once night falls, the festival gears up for a runway-style fashion presentation, showcasing grassroots autumn/winter looks, more team talks, and big-volume curated DJ sets from YeahItsRenee and friends till midnight.

📍 Fabric Studios, 3 Constance St, Liverpool L3 8AN
🎟️ Tickets £0-£12

Is there a women’s football event happening near you? Give us a heads-up

📺 WEEKLY WATCHLIST

What We’re Watching

Your what-not-to-miss viewing guide (BST)

Ballon d’Or
19:45, 22 September (Tonight!) 
Six lionesses, Lucy Bronze, Hannah Hampton, Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo, Michelle Agyemang and Leah Williamson, are up for awards tonight. Agyemang is nominated for the Kopa trophy (Young player), and Hampton for the Yashin trophy (Goalkeeper of the year). Watch free on L’Équipe YouTube

Subway Women’s League Cup - Group stage
Wednesday 24 September - Full match schedule here
Unclear whether these games are being broadcast but we’ll update instagram once clarified.

Women’s Super League

Saturday 27 September

• Arsenal vs Aston Villa (12:00, Sky Sports)

Sunday 28 September

• Brighton & Hove Albion vs Everton (12:00, Sky Sports, WSL YouTube)

• Leicester City vs Tottenham Hotspur (12:00, Sky Sports, WSL YouTube)

• Liverpool vs Manchester United (12:00, Sky Sports, WSL YouTube)

• Manchester City vs London City Lionesses (12:00, Sky Sports, WSL YouTube)

• West Ham United vs Chelsea (14:30, BBC iPlayer)

📂 JOBS, JOBS, JOBS

More Women Working in Football

Jobs Spotlight: The Football Association is recruiting for apprenticeships in Football Operations, CSR & Public Affairs, Health & Safety, Finance, and HR. Closing date – 26 September

• Change Manager (18 Month FTC) | The FA | Apply by 28 Sept

• Marketing Apprentice | Brighton & Hove Albion | Apply by 3 Oct

• Brand Activation Manager | Chelsea FC | Apply by 9 October

• Content Programming Manager | Arsenal FC | Apply by 24 September

⁉️ JARGON BUSTER

Brace – When a player scores twice in a game

See you next week!

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