Gwalia United F.C.
| Founded | 1975, as Llanedeyrn LFC | |||
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| Stadium | USW Sports Park | |||
| Capacity | 1,000 | |||
| Owner(s) | Julian Jenkins & Damien Singh | |||
| Club Chairwoman | Michele Adams MBE | |||
| Manager | Cori Williams-Mills | |||
| League | FA Women's National League South | |||
| 2024–25 | FA Women's National League South, 9th of 12 | |||
| Website | gwaliaunited | |||
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Gwalia United Football Club (Welsh: Clwb Pêl-droed Gwalia Unedig) is a Welsh women's football club playing in the FAWNL Southern Premier Division. The club was renamed Gwalia United prior to the start of the 2024–25 season.[2] Prior to this, the club was most recently called Cardiff City Ladies F.C. but has also played as Llanedeyrn L.F.C., Inter Cardiff F.C. and Cardiff County L.F.C.[3]
History
The club was founded in 1975 as Llanedeyrn L.F.C. after a local charity match.[4] In 1981 the name was changed to Cardiff L.F.C., and in 1993 the club linked up with Inter Cardiff F.C. and started playing at the Cardiff Athletic Stadium. In 1997 the connection with Inter Cardiff was terminated and the club changed its name to Cardiff County L.F.C. while affiliating with the Cardiff County Council. In 2001 the club began affiliating with Cardiff City, the professional men’s club from the same city.[5]
At the beginning of the 2003 season, however, the club severed its connection with its male counterpart when its members voted against the men’s club's proposals and its operations became an independent outfit again.[5] Although they were allowed to keep use of the Cardiff City name and kit colours, their crest was altered to incorporate the Welsh red dragon.
In 2006 Cardiff City Ladies won the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division and were promoted to the National Division for the first time.[6] Relegated in the 2007–08 season, the club again were promoted to the National Division in 2010–11.[7]
In the 2021–22 season, Cardiff City Ladies were relegated from the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division, but earned promotion back the following season.[8]
In August 2023, still under the Cardiff City Ladies name, the club outlined a new strategy aimed at improving infrastructure, visibility, and competitive standards within women’s football. BBC Sport reported that the plan included investment in performance analysis, medical provision, and partnerships such as with the University of South Wales.[8]
On 1 March 2024, the club announced it would rebrand as Gwalia United ahead of the 2024–25 season. The new name, derived from an ancient Welsh term for Wales, was chosen to reflect cultural heritage and the club’s ambitions within the domestic game.[2] Founded in 1975, the club had previously produced more than 100 senior internationals, and the rebranding was presented as part of a wider vision centred on unity, heritage, resilience, and inclusion.[2]
Partnership with University of South Wales
In August 2025, Gwalia United announced a partnership with the University of South Wales, under which the club’s senior women’s team would train and play home matches at the USW Sport Park in Treforest.[1]
Dragons Training Centre
In 2022 the club opened their youth training centre for girls aged 6–16.[9]
The Dragons Training Centre uses the Soccer Profile to measure and track players' progress, enabling them to develop their technical skills. The sessions run at the centre are open to all players regardless of team affiliation or ability.
The centre is based at the FAW facility, Amdani Hi @ Ocean Way. This is a pioneering hub for women's and girls' football, funded by the FAW.[10]
Ownership and Coaching Structure
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Owners | Julian Jenkins; Damien Singh |
| Club Chair | Michele Adams MBE |
| Club Secretary | Karen Jones MBE |
| First Team Manager | Cori Williams-Mills |
| Assistant Coach | Keehlan Panayiotou |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Jamie Lloyd Davies |
First-team squad
- As of February 2026[11]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Former players
Honours
- Welsh Women's Cup (11): 1995, 2003 to 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016[12]
Record in UEFA competitions
- 2003–04: first qualifying round, 4th
- 2004–05: first qualifying round, 4th
- 2005–06: first qualifying round, 3rd
- 2006–07: first qualifying round, 2nd
- 2007–08: first qualifying round, 4th
- 2008–09: first qualifying round, 4th
- 2009–10: qualifying round, 3rd
References
- ^ a b "Gwalia United & USW: A New Era of Excellence Begins". Gwalia United. 21 August 2025. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ a b c "Cardiff City Ladies to be renamed Gwalia United". BBC Sport. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ "About us". Gwalia United. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ Feringa, Megan (22 August 2022). "Rediscovering Wales' prolific football star factory that's got a new beginning". WalesOnline. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ a b Matheson, Sian (18 June 2015). "How a Cardiff carnival led to the creation of a successful women's football side". WalesOnline. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ "The FA Women's National League". fulltime.thefa.com. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ "Cardiff City Ladies win promotion". BBC Sport. 8 May 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ a b "Inside Cardiff City Ladies' new vision for women's football". BBC Sport. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ "Dragons Training Centre". Dragons Training Centre. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "FAW / Environments: For Her". Football Association of Wales. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ ""Gwalia United"". Gwalia United. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ^ "She Kicks - News Section: Cardiff City FC Win Welsh Cup". She Kicks. Archived from the original on 8 May 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
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