2002–03 Arsenal L.F.C. season

Arsenal Ladies
2002–03 season
ChairmanPeter Hill-Wood
ManagerVic Akers
StadiumClarence Park
Premier LeagueThird Place
FA CupSemi finals
Premier League CupRunners up
UEFA CupSemi finals
Community ShieldRunners up
London County CupSemi finals
Top goalscorerLeague: Jayne Ludlow (15)
All: Jayne Ludlow (31)
Biggest win11–0 (vs Sheffield Wednesday, Premier League Cup, 13 October 2002)
Biggest defeat1–5 (vs Fortuna Hjørring, UEFA Cup, 27 April 2003)

The 2002–03 season was Arsenal Ladies Football Club's 16th season since forming in 1987. The club participated in the National Division of the FA Women's Premier League, and came into the season as the reigning champions. However, they were only able to finish third this time. behind Doncaster Rovers Belles and newly promoted Fulham, who won the league with an unbeaten campaign.[1]

They were defeated in the Community Shield and the League Cup Final on penalties by Fulham, and lost at the Semi Final stages of the FA Cup and London County Cup to Charlton Athletic.[2][3]

In Europe, Arsenal reached the Semi Final stages of the UEFA Cup for the first time, but were thrashed 8–2 on aggregate by Fortuna Hjørring, including a disastrous 5–1 home defeat.[4][5] It was the first time since 1995-96 that Arsenal finished a season with no trophies to show for their efforts.

Before the season began, Arsenal declared that they had gone semi-professional.[6][7]

Squad information & statistics

First team squad

Squad statistics correct as of May 2003[8]

Squad No. Name Date of Birth (Age) Since Signed From
Goalkeepers
1 Emma Byrne (1979-06-14) 14 June 1979 2000 Fortuna Hjørring
13 Jo Price (1985-06-07) 7 June 1985 2001 Arsenal Academy
Caroline Collie (1986-08-11) 11 August 1986 2002 Arsenal Academy
Jasmine Cripps (1985-11-04) 4 November 1985 1998 Arsenal Academy
Defenders
2 Kirsty Pealling (1975-04-14) 14 April 1975 1987 Arsenal Academy
3 Pauline MacDonald (1975-04-17) 17 April 1975 2000 Cumbernauld United
5 Leanne Champ (1983-08-10) 10 August 1983 2001 Millwall Lionesses
6 Faye White (1978-02-02) 2 February 1978 1996 Three Bridges
11 Clare Wheatley (1971-02-04) 4 February 1971 1995 Chelsea
12 Julie Fletcher (1974-09-28) 28 September 1974 2001 Charlton Athletic
15 Yvonne Tracy (1981-02-27) 27 February 1981 2000 St Patrick's Athletic
17 Hayley Kemp (1987-06-23) 23 June 1987 1998 Hatfield Youth
18 Anita Asante (1985-04-27) 27 April 1985 1998 Arsenal Academy
24 Georgie Adams (1984-11-07) 7 November 1984 1999 Bushey
30 Carol Harwood (1965-12-01) 1 December 1965 2002 Southampton Saints
Eartha Pond (1983-09-04) 4 September 1983 2002 Chelsea
Cori Daniels (1986-06-04) 4 June 1986 2002 Arsenal Academy
Midfielders
4 Jayne Ludlow (1979-01-07) 7 January 1979 2000 Southampton Saints
7 Sian Williams (captain) (1968-02-02) 2 February 1968 1990 Millwall Lionesses
10 Ciara Grant (1978-05-17) 17 May 1978 1998 St Patrick's Athletic
21 Emma Thomas (1983-10-17) 17 October 1983 1996 Arsenal Academy
Lisa Burrows (1985-08-01) 1 August 1985 2002 Bushey Rangers
Gemma Ritchie (1983-03-25) 25 March 1983 2002 Southampton
Forwards
8 Angela Banks (1975-12-23) 23 December 1975 1999 Whitehawk
9 Ellen Maggs (1983-02-16) 16 February 1983 2000 Arsenal Academy
14 Lianne Sanderson (1988-02-03) 3 February 1988 2003 Arsenal Academy
16 Alex Scott (1984-10-14) 14 October 1984 2000 Arsenal Academy
24 Michele O'Brien (1980-06-28) 28 June 1980 2003 Long Island Lady Riders
17 Ayshea Martyn (1974-03-05) 5 March 1974 2002 Bangor City
Sheuneen Ta (1985-07-21) 21 July 1985 1997 Arsenal Academy
Mikaela Howell (1988-07-12) 12 July 1988 1999 Southampton Women
Nicole Emmanuel (1986-06-04) 4 June 1986 2002 Arsenal Academy
Rochelle Shakes 2003 Arsenal Academy
Unknown
Laura Husselbee 2003 Arsenal Academy
Coreen Brown 2003 Arsenal Academy

Appearances and goals

No. Name Premier League FA Cup PL Cup LC Cup Comm Shield UEFA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Goalkeepers
1 Emma Byrne 18 0 4 0 5 0 0 0 1 0 6 0 34 0
13 Jo Price 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Caroline Collie 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Jasmine Cripps 0 0 0 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0 0+1 0
Defenders
2 Kirsty Pealling 15 2 4 0 4 0 0 0 1 0 5 0 29 2
3 Pauline MacDonald 10 2 4 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 3+1 1 21+1 3
5 Leanne Champ 18 0 4 0 4 0 0 0 1 0 4+1 0 31+1 0
6 Faye White 4+1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 1 8+1 2
11 Clare Wheatley 18 0 4 0 5 0 0 0 1 0 6 2 34 2
12 Julie Fletcher 14+3 0 4 0 3 0 0 0 0+1 0 6 0 27+4 0
15 Yvonne Tracy 12+1 0 4 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 3+2 0 24+3 0
17 Hayley Kemp 0+1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1+1 0
18 Anita Asante 1+4 0 0+1 0 1+1 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 5+6 0
24 Georgie Adams 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
30 Carol Harwood 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Eartha Pond 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cori Daniels 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Midfielders
4 Jayne Ludlow 18 15 4 6 5 6 0 0 1 0 6 4 34 31
7 Sian Williams (captain) 14+3 0 1+2 0 3+2 0 0 0 1 0 5 0 15+3 0
10 Ciara Grant 16 7 3 1 5 2 0 0 1 0 6 2 31 12
21 Emma Thomas 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 2
Lisa Burrows 0 0 0+1 0 0+1 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 1+2 2
Gemma Ritchie 0+1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0+1 0 1+2 1
Forwards
8 Angela Banks 18 14 4 2 5 3 0 0 0 0 5 4 32 23
9 Ellen Maggs 16+1 5 2 0 3 3 0 0 1 2 6 3 28+1 13
14 Lianne Sanderson 2+3 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0+1 0 3+4 4
16 Alex Scott 1+10 0 0+3 1 1+3 0 1 0 0 0 0+3 1 3+19 2
17 Ayshea Martyn 2+8 1 2+2 1 1+3 1 0 0 1 0 0+2 0 6+15 3
24 Michele O'Brien 1+5 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0+1 0 2+6 2
Sheuneen Ta 0 0 0 0 0+1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1+1 0
Mikaela Howell 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nicole Emmanuel 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown
Laura Husselbee 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Coreen Brown 0 0 0 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0 0+1 0
Rochelle Shakes 0 0 0 0 0 0 0+1 1 0 0 0 0 0+1 1

Goalscorers

Rank No. Position Name Premier League FA Cup PL Cup LC Cup Comm Shield UEFA Cup Total
1 4 MF Jayne Ludlow 15 6 6 0 0 4 31
2 8 FW Angela Banks 14 2 3 0 0 4 23
3 9 FW Ellen Maggs 5 0 3 0 2 3 13
4 10 MF Ciara Grant 7 1 2 0 0 2 12
5 Own Goals 1 1 2 1 0 0 5
6 14 FW Lianne Sanderson 4 0 0 0 0 0 4
7 17 FW Ayshea Martyn 1 1 1 0 0 0 3
3 DF Pauline MacDonald 2 0 0 0 0 1 3
8 16 FW Alex Scott 0 1 0 0 0 1 2
2 DF Kirsty Pealling 2 0 0 0 0 0 2
6 DF Faye White 1 0 0 0 0 1 2
11 DF Clare Wheatley 0 0 0 0 0 2 2
24 FW Michele O'Brien 1 0 0 1 0 0 2
21 MF Emma Thomas 0 0 0 2 0 0 2
MF Lisa Burrows 0 0 0 2 0 0 2
9 MF Gemma Ritchie 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
Rochelle Shakes 0 0 0 1 10 0 1
Total 53 12 18 7 2 18 110

Clean sheets

Rank No. Name Premier League FA Cup PL Cup LC Cup Comm Shield UEFA Cup Total
1 1 Emma Byrne 5 3 3 ‡ 0 3 14
Total 5 3 3 ‡ 0 3 14

Transfers, loans and other signings

Transfers in

Announcement date No. Position Player From club
2002[9] MF Gemma Ritchie Southampton
2002[10] MF Lisa Burrows Bushey Rangers
2002[11] 17 FW Ayshea Martyn Bangor City
2003[12] 24 FW Michele O'Brien Long Island Lady Riders

Transfers out

Announcement date No. Position Player To club
2 July 2002[13] N/A FW Marieanne Spacey Fulham
10 July 2002[14] N/A DF Casey Stoney Charlton Athletic
July 2002 N/A DF Jessica Wright Fulham
2002 N/A GK Aman Dosanj Lee University
2002 N/A DF Kelley Few Retirement
2002 N/A MF Nicky Grant Glasgow City
2002 N/A DF Eartha Pond Charlton Athletic
2002[15] N/A GK Toni-Anne Wayne Southampton Saints
2002 N/A FW Megumi Ogawa
2002 N/A FW Emma Moore
2002 N/A MF Jo Gardner
2002 N/A MF Alana Livingstone

Club

Kit

Supplier: Nike / Sponsor: O2.

Home
Away
Third

Competitions

FA Women's Community Shield

Main article: 2002 FA Women's Community Shield
8 August 2002 Final Arsenal 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(1–3 p)		 Fulham Leyton
19:35 (BST)
  • Maggs 8', 73'
 Report
Stadium: Brisbane Road
Penalties

FA Women's Premier League National Division

Main article: 2002–03 FA Women's Premier League

Partial league table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Fulham (C) 18 16 2 0 63 13 +50 49[a] Qualification for the UEFA Cup qualifying round
2 Doncaster Belles 18 13 2 3 34 19 +15 41
3 Arsenal 18 13 1 4 53 21 +32 40
4 Charlton Athletic 18 10 4 4 44 20 +24 34
5 Birmingham City 18 6 3 9 26 31 −5 21
Source: FA WPL
(C) Champions
Notes:
  1. ^ Deducted 1 point for fielding ineligible player (Jess Wright) against Charlton Athletic on October 23, 2002.

Results Summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
18 13 1 4 53 21  +32 40 7 0 2 28 9  +19 6 1 2 25 12  +13

Results by matchday

Matchday123456789101112131415161718
GroundHAHHHAHHAHHAAAAAHA
ResultWWWWWLLWWWWLWWWDLW
Position222223333333333333
Source: FA WPL
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
31 August 2002 1 Arsenal 6–0 Tranmere Rovers St Albans
15:00 (BST)
Report Stadium: Clarence Park
8 September 2002 2 Leeds United 3–6 Arsenal
Report
11 September 2002 3 Arsenal 5–0 Birmingham City Finchley
19:30 (BST)
Report Stadium: The Harry Abrahams Stadium
6 October 2002 4 Arsenal 3–2 Everton St Albans
11:30 (BST)
Report
  • Szyluk 3', 25'
 Stadium: Clarence Park
20 October 2002 5 Arsenal 4–1 Brighton & Hove Albion St Albans
14:00 (GMT)
Report
  • Wayne
Stadium: Clarence Park
23 October 2002 6 Birmingham City 1–0 Arsenal Redditch
19:45 (BST)
Report Stadium: Valley Stadium
7 November 2002 7 Arsenal 1–2 Fulham St Albans
19:45 (GMT)
Report
Stadium: Clarence Park
8 December 2002 8 Arsenal 3–1 Doncaster Belles St Albans
 Report
Stadium: Clarence Park
16 February 2003 9 Everton 0–1 Arsenal Crosby
12:30 (GMT) Report
Stadium: Rossett Park
2 March 2003 10 Arsenal 1–0 Southampton Saints St Albans
14:00 (GMT)
Report Stadium: Clarence Park
12 April 2003 11 Arsenal 4–1 Leeds United Potters Bar
14:00 (BST)
Report
  • Daniel 65'
 Stadium: The Lantern Stadium
15 April 2003 12 Fulham 4–1 Arsenal Carshalton
19:45 (BST)
Report
Stadium: War Memorial Sports Ground
20 April 2003 13 Tranmere Rovers 1–7 Arsenal
Report
23 April 2003 14 Brighton & Hove Albion 1–5 Arsenal Three Bridges
19:30 (BST)
  • Whitton
Report
Stadium: Jubilee Field
30 April 2003 15 Southampton Saints 1–3 Arsenal Marchwood
  • Bell 30'
 Report
Stadium: Staplewood Campus
4 May 2003 16 Doncaster Belles 1–1 Arsenal Woodlands
12:00 (BST)
Report
Stadium: Welfare Ground
8 May 2003 17 Arsenal 1–2 Charlton Athletic Highbury
20:00 (BST)
Report
Stadium: Highbury
11 May 2003 18 Charlton Athletic 0–1 Arsenal Eltham
11:00 (BST) Report
Stadium: Sparrows Lane

FA Women's Cup

Main article: 2002–03 FA Women's Cup
5 January 2003 Fourth round Arsenal 2–0 Tranmere Rovers St Albans
 Report Stadium: Clarence Park
26 January 2003 Fifth round Wolverhampton Wanderers 0–4 Arsenal  
Report
8 February 2003 Quarter-finals Arsenal 6–0 Aston Villa Bishop's Stortford
14:00 (GMT)
Report Stadium: Woodside Park
23 March 2003 Semi-finals Charlton Athletic 1–0 Arsenal Charlton
12:00 (GMT)
Report
Stadium: The Valley
Attendance: 3,031

FA Women's Premier League Cup

Main article: 2002–03 FA Women's Premier League Cup
13 October 2002 First round Arsenal 11–0 Sheffield Wednesday St Albans
14:15 (BST)
Report Stadium: Clarence Park
10 November 2002 Second round Arsenal 3–0 Leeds United Potters Bar
 Report Stadium: The Lantern Stadium
1 December 2002 Quarter-finals Arsenal 1–0 Tranmere Rovers St Albans
 Report Stadium: Clarence Park
2 February 2003 Semi-finals Doncaster Rovers Belles 1–2 Arsenal Woodlands
19:30 (GMT)
Report
Stadium: Welfare Stadium
30 March 2003 Final Fulham 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(3–2 p)		 Arsenal Swindon
14:15 BST
Report
Stadium: County Ground
Attendance: 2,220
Penalties

London County Cup

28 January 2003 First Round Arsenal 7–0 Crystal Palace Potters Bar
19:45 (GMT)
Report Stadium: The Lantern Stadium
19 March 2003 Semi Finals Arsenal 0–2 Charlton Athletic Edgware
19:30 (GMT) Report
Stadium: White Lion Ground

UEFA Women's Cup

Main article: 2002–03 UEFA Women's Cup

Qualifying round

Main article: 2002–03 UEFA Women's Cup qualifying round § Group 7

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification ARS LEV GBA EEN
1 Arsenal (H) 3 3 0 0 15 1 +14 9 Advance to quarter-finals — 2–1 6–0 7–0
2 Levante 3 2 0 1 11 3 +8 6 – — 2–1 –
3 Gömrükçü Baku 3 1 0 2 9 8 +1 3 – – — –
4 Eendracht Aalst 3 0 0 3 0 23 −23 0 – 0–8 0–8 —
Source: RSSSF[5]
(H) Hosts
24 September 2002 1 Arsenal 6–0 Gömrükçü Baku St Albans
 Report
  • Milchevskaya  90+3'
 Stadium: Clarence Park
26 September 2002 2 Arsenal 2–1 Levante Bishop's Stortford
 Report
Stadium: Woodside Park
29 September 2002 3 Arsenal 7–0 Eendracht Aalst St Albans
 Report
  • Migom  59'
  • Goossens  65'
 Stadium: Clarence Park

Knockout phase

Main article: 2002–03 UEFA Women's Cup knockout phase
Quarter-finals
2 November 2002 First Leg CSK VVS Samara 0–2 Arsenal Samara
 Report
Stadium: Metallurg Stadium
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Geja Mulder (Netherlands)
28 November 2002 Second Leg Arsenal 1–1
(3–1 agg.)		 CSK VVS Samara St Albans
Maggs 17' Report Kremleva 26' Djarbolova  42' Stadium: Clarence Park
Attendance: 450
Referee: Lale Orta (Turkey)
Semi-finals
5 April 2003 First Leg Fortuna Hjørring 3–1 Arsenal Hjørring
 Report
Stadium: Hjørring Stadium
Attendance: 2,384
Referee: Christine Frai (Germany)
27 April 2003 Second Leg Arsenal 1–5
(2–8 agg.)		 Fortuna Hjørring Barnet
 Report
Stadium: Underhill

See also

References

  1. ^ "Fulham stun Arsenal in 2003 title race".
  2. ^ "TheFA.com - Shield win is spot on for Fulham". 10 October 2004. Archived from the original on 10 October 2004. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  3. ^ "Fulham win dramatic shoot-out". 30 March 2003. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  4. ^ UEFA.com. "History: Arsenal 1-5 Fortuna | UEFA Women's Champions League 2002/03". UEFA. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  5. ^ a b Duret, Sébastien (10 July 2003). "UEFA Club Championship (Women) 2002/03". RSSSF. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Arsenal.com - The Official Arsenal Website". www.arsenal.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2003. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  7. ^ "Banks stays with semi-pro Gunners". 15 May 2002. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  8. ^ "Arsenal Ladies". 2003-04 Arsenal Handbook: Pages 78-79.
  9. ^ "Arsenal.com - The Official Arsenal Website". www.arsenal.com. Archived from the original on 15 April 2003. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  10. ^ "Arsenal.com - The Official Arsenal Website". www.arsenal.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2004. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  11. ^ "Arsenal.com - The Official Arsenal Website". www.arsenal.com. Archived from the original on 12 October 2003. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  12. ^ "Arsenal.com - The Official Arsenal Website". www.arsenal.com. Archived from the original on 15 April 2003. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  13. ^ "Arsenal.com - The Official Arsenal Website". www.arsenal.com. Archived from the original on 19 April 2003. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  14. ^ "Arsenal.com - The Official Arsenal Website". www.arsenal.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2003. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  15. ^ "WSW UEFA News". womensoccer.com. Archived from the original on 2 December 2010. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
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