Since their founding in 2019, the London City Lionesses have become a beacon of hope and a revolutionary force in women’s football. This independent club, descended from the women’s team of Millwall, is making a splash in the Women’s Super League (WSL). Under the ownership of Michele Kang, it is soaring into prominence. It’s obvious the Lionesses are investing a lot in their players. They’re equally devoted to building an inclusive culture to change the game and what it means to win, on and off the pitch.
In May 2019, the Millwall women’s team made the announcement that they would be leaving to form their own team, the London City Lionesses. This produced a galvanising moment in women’s football. The ownership of the club’s Women’s Championship licence moved from Millwall to this new club. Today, they are writing their own playbook with conviction. Michele Kang’s vision and determination have driven the club’s growth, signaling a new chapter for women’s football in England.
As always, ClassVI’s Jocelyn Precheur is the captain, making decisions with poise and precision. She was called up to the Lionesses following a red-hot spell at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Player-management As a leader, Precheur prefers to cultivate a caring culture rooted in the players themselves.
“You also need an environment where players feel safe enough to achieve their highest potential.”
Signed players were beginning to settle in and they were looking forward to competing in their first full WSL campaign. Last season, they toasted a promotion-winning campaign, led by stylish displays from Isobel Goodwin and Kosovare Asllani. The club continued to draw established pros such as Nikita Parris and Danielle van de Donk. After signing Italian star Elena Linari, the women’s squad has fortified their roster.
In a groundbreaking initiative, London City Lionesses will play on some of England’s most historic venues. Their opening game in the WSL would take place at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. The majority of the games will kick off on Sundays at 12 PM, based on what’s available in the stadium situation.
Kang’s investment strategy has been vast and deliberate, aiming not only to enhance the team’s performance but to elevate the profile of women’s football. London City Lionesses captain Kosovare Asllani has been a fan of Kang’s methods.
“She’s a pioneer. She’s paving the way for the next generation of powerful women,” Asllani stated.
Asllani was full of praise for Kang’s insight on the requirements of women in football – both on and off the pitch.
“You see how much women’s football is growing and I think that is the difference between her and everyone else – she got it,” Asllani added.
The club’s ethos focuses first on establishing a positive, encouraging environment. In team meetings, Precheur made this vision a rallying point, arguing that forming a culture of kindness would be the foundation upon which prolonged success could be built.
“That is what we wanted to create here because that’s crucial for a winning team to have,” Precheur remarked.
Goodwin, one of the Lionesses’ most important players, shared how much she’s enjoyed the inclusive environment Kang has created.
“I’ve been at men’s clubs before where it’s just all about them and the boys’ academy and all of that, but here, it’s all about us and it’s nice to feel wanted,” Goodwin said.
In their debut season in the WSL, Precheur knows just what his side is up against. Despite the lack of spending, he remains positive about the club’s prospects.
“It’s not an easy one for sure, but it cannot be better than that,” she stated.
As the Lionesses know, winning matches is about so much more than the matches you win. They hope to establish a lasting precedent for future generations of female athletes. Asllani candidly considered whether she made the right call in becoming a Lioness. Though the club was in division two at the time, she felt an instinctual draw to the club.
“When the London City Lionesses came into the picture, I got the gut feeling – which was scary because they were in division two – that ‘this is what you’re meant to do at this stage of your career’,” remarked Asllani.
This promise to develop talent goes further than player signings. Jocelyn Precheur’s strategic vision aims to attract more players who share a passion for enhancing women’s football.
“It’s about being the first one to jump on the train, because that’s what attracts other players to join as well,” Precheur explained.
As they embark on this exciting journey in the Women’s Super League, London City Lionesses stand as a testament to the growth and evolution of women’s football. Their emergence as an independent club further highlights a remarkable vintage in the sport’s historical tapestry.
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