Even Sky Sports has been criticised for confusing Cardiff’s two biggest female teams
YOU wouldn’t expect Sky Sports to have a problem telling the difference between Manchester United and Manchester City – but the broadcaster isn’t alone in confusing two Cardiff teams when it comes to women’s football.
Cardiff City LFC have, for years, been mistaken for their local neighbours, Cardiff City FC Women.
Sky Sports has mistakenly used Cardiff City FC Women’s Bluebirds nickname and badge when talking about Cardiff City LFC results and league position.
Football fan, Mark Padden, has on numerous occasions called out Sky Sports for using the Bluebirds crest for their coverage of the Dragons matches.
Mark said: “It is disrespectful to clubs like Cardiff City LFC. They have built their own history and Sky ignore it. It is as if they look at the clubs and assume they are the same as the men’s.”
So, what are the differences between our city’s two Cardiff City clubs?
The quick guide:
- Cardiff City LFC are nicknamed the Dragons. Their home kit is red and they play in the English FA system.
- Cardiff City FC Women are nicknamed the Bluebirds. Their home kit is blue and they play in the Welsh league system.
Cardiff City LFC
Cardiff City LFC is one of Wales’ oldest independent female-only football clubs and are the only Welsh team playing in the English pyramid in the FA National League.
Founded in 1975, Cardiff City LFC was originally named Llanedeyrn FC, after a local charity match.
Six years later in 1981 the club was renamed Cardiff LFC and started playing at the Cardiff Athletic Stadium.
In 2001 the club began working alongside the Cardiff City’s professional men’s team, known as the Bluebirds.
However, two years later the club ended its affiliation with the Bluebirds and have since been one of Wales’ most successful females-only club.
In 2006, Cardiff City LFC won the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division.
Their success did not stop there. The ladies have won the Welsh Cup a record 11 times and represented Wales on multiple occasions in the UEFA Champions League.
The Dragons continue to produce national talents such as Kath Morgan, Jessica Fishlock MBE, and Sophie Ingle OBE.
In 2023, the team shocked everyone by making it through the fifth round of the Women’s FA Cup against 15 of England’s best.
Cardiff City FC Women
Cardiff City FC Women are the female counterpart to the men’s Cardiff City FC, and are also nicknamed the Bluebirds.
Until the 2011-12 season the women played in the South Wales Women’s League Division One.
In 2012 the Women’s Welsh Premier League was expanded by the Football Association of Wales (FAW), creating the Adran Premier.
This is currently the highest league for women’s football in Wales, the female equivalent to the men’s Cymru Premier.
The Bluebirds last won the Adran Trophy in 2013 after beating Wrexham Ladies in the final.
However, it is clear the team have their eyes fixed on lifting the trophy again as they topped phase one of the 2022-23 Adran Cup with a nine-point lead over their rivals, Swansea City LFC.
The team are now set to face Swansea Ladies in the second phase of the Adran Premier on February 26 in Swansea.
