The team was originally formed around 1997 when they were named Elmore Eagles L.F.C.[2]
Exeter City Ladies Football Club
In 2001, the Elmore Eagles joined forces with Exeter City and the Exeter City Ladies Football Club was formed.[2]
Exeter City Centre Of Excellence (COE) Ladies
In 2006, the club controversially changed their name to Cullompton Rangers L.F.C. Many were keen to keep the 'Exeter City Ladies' name, and in the summer of 2006, Exeter City COE Ladies was formed, entering the Devon Women's Division 2.[2]
The team won all but 1 game in the league that season and were promoted. The team also won the League Cup. However, they were stripped of the honour after investigations were made at the beginning of the 2007/2008 and it was proven that 'illegally' signed players had played in the cup games.
Following a number of departures at the end of the 2015–16 season, Exeter City Ladies Football Club were heading towards disbandment. However, due to strong links with local schools and the Community Trust the club was kept running and continued to play in the FA Women's Premier League South West Division One.
Exeter City Women
At the end of the 2018–19 season the club changed their name to Exeter City Women in preparation for the campaign in the FA Women's National League Division One South West.[3]
The team were crowned champions of the South West Women's Premier Division following a 3–1 victory over Keynsham Town Ladies at the end of the 2018-19 season.
The club continued with their progression in the fourth tier of Women’s football, renamed the Women’s FA National League Division One South West, finishing third and second in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons respectively.
The team secured promotion to the third tier for the first-time at the end of the 2023–24 campaign after seeing off fellow title contenders AFC Bournemouth Women in the final game of the season with a 1–1 home draw. Exeter City also finished the season unbeaten, only dropping four points from 66 available (both games drawn were against AFC Bournemouth). Promotion to the third tier of English women's football saw the club depart Exwick Sports Hub and instead secure Coach Road in Newton Abbot as their secondary home venue alongside matches at St James Park.[1]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
