Leicester Welcomes Lionesses For King Power Stadium Debut
The England women’s team – reigning European champions – made their King Power Stadium debut for a UEFA Nations League qualifying encounter with Belgium, featuring LCFC Women’s own Janice Cayman, her country’s most capped player.
It was a tight affair in Leicestershire, with the home nation coming out victorious in a 1-0 display, as a first half goal from Manchester City forward Lauren Hemp was enough to keep the Lionessess in the hunt for top spot in League A Group 1, as they currently have seven points from the first three games, and only sit behind the Netherlands on goal difference.
Further cementing King Power Stadium’s status as a venue for high-calibre sporting events, the Club’s 21-year-old home has also hosted senior Three Lions matches, Young Lions clashes and the 100th instalment of the FA Community Shield, alongside several other major football occasions. Entertaining England’s iconic women’s side is just the latest phase of the Club’s strategy to inspire the next generation of girls to fulfil their dreams, finding inspiration close to home in Leicester.
It saw Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses – including the likes of Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright, Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly – grace Filbert Way’s famous turf for the first time in England’s colours. Manchester United Women goalkeeper Mary Earps, who emerged through Leicester City’s Academy to become one of the game’s most celebrated shot-stoppers, played 90 minutes on Friday.
With this fixture being played on the five-year anniversary of a tragic helicopter accident at King Power Stadium, representatives of both the England and Belgium teams laid a wreath on Thursday – remembering late Chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha; pilots Eric Swaffer and Izabela Lechowicz; and staff members Nusara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare.
A large crowd of 28,321 were in attendance at King Power Stadium to see some of the country’s leading lights battle it out with the Belgian Red Flames, currently ranked 18th in the FIFA World Rankings. This was the first chance fans have had to see the Lionesses play in Leicester for 43 years, with the last occasion being a 1-1 draw with Sweden at Filbert Street, City’s former home, back in 1980.
The reverse of this fixture is also set to be held at OH Leuven’s King Power at Den Dreef Stadium on Tuesday, offering supporters of another King Power-owned club the opportunity to watch some of the world’s greatest international players go head-to-head in their home city.
LCFC Women Manager Willie Kirk was there to take in Friday’s contest, as were Janina Leitzig, Sam Tierney, Aimee Palmer and Aileen Whelan – all of whom mingled with fans, taking selfies and doing the media rounds on a memorable evening for the Club. Following the international break, the next chance for the Blue Army to back LCFC Women on Filbert Way is just a fortnight away.
Fifteen-time English champions Arsenal Women are the visitors to Leicester on Sunday 12 November as City look to build on their excellent start to the new Barclays Women’s Super League season. Tickets are on sale now, priced at just £8 for adults and £4 for seniors and under-18s. Please click HERE for more information.
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