With International Women’s Day helping to highlight the achievements of women throughout the globe, it is a fitting time to celebrate the landmarks achieved in English women’s football over the last 12 months.
From the growing success of The FA Women’s Super League (FA WSL) to England qualifying for this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, there have been plenty of standout moments to commend.
Arsenal Ladies, the most successful women’s team in the country, won The FA Women’s Cup in June, extending their own record haul to 13 victories.
England legend Kelly Smith, who retired from international football in February, scored one and made the other as the Gunners defeated Everton 2-0 in The Final, in former boss Shelley Kerr’s last match in charge.
The FA Women’s Premier League Cup was won by Sheffield FC, who romped to an impressive 6-2 win over Cardiff in The Final at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium.
The FA WSL enjoyed record attendances last season and fans were treated to the most exciting of climaxes in the top division, as three teams went in to the final day with aspirations of winning the title.
Sunderland became the first team to be promoted into FA WSL 1 as they topped WSL 2 ahead of Doncaster Rovers Belles. The Black Cats secured their title with a win at Millwall Lionesses in October.
Man City celebrate Isobel Christiansen's goal in the Continental Cup Final
And Manchester City broke Arsenal’s stranglehold on The FA WSL Continental Cup by beating Pedro Martinez Losa’s side 1-0 in The Final, with Isobel Christiansen scoring the only goal of the game. City’s victory meant their captain Steph Houghton has won the competition in every year of its existence, after helping Arsenal lift the trophy in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
There was plenty to cheer about on the international front too.
Mark Sampson was named the England Women’s head coach in December 2013, and after interim boss Brent Hills had led the Three Lions to four successive victories in World Cup qualifying, Sampson took over the reins and guided the team through a flawless campaign.
They won all 10 matches, scoring 52 goals and conceding just one as they booked their place at Canada 2015 in style.
England clinched top spot in the group with a commanding 4-0 win over Wales in Cardiff.
They have been drawn in Group F at the World Cup alongside France, Mexico and Colombia, and begin their Canadian adventure against the French in Moncton on Tuesday 9 June.
Meanwhile, two England stalwarts celebrated notable personal achievements in 2014.
Against Sweden in August, Fara Williams surpassed former captain Gill Coultard’s record of 129 appearances. The Liverpool midfielder now has an incredible 136 caps to her name, and is showing no signs of easing up.
Birmingham City captain Karen Carney became just the eighth player to achieve triple figures for England Women, earning her 100th cap in an historic match against Germany at Wembley Stadium.
Carney was presented with her golden cap in front of a record women’s crowd of 45,619 in the Lionesses first match at the new Wembley.
England are currently competing in the annual Cyprus Cup competition, and Group B victories over Finland and Australia have booked them a place in a third successive final.
England's final home match before the World Cup is against China at Manchester City's new Academy Stadium on Thursday 9 April.
Tickets are on sale now, priced £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions. Tickets are available via www.MCFC.co.uk/Tickets or in person at the Manchester City box office at Etihad Stadium
