Lydia Bedford Agrees New Contract To Continue Journey With LCFC Women

Lydia, who joined the Club in November last year, extends her stay in Leicester to 2024, after the team secured their WSL status under her guidance last season – the Club’s first in the top flight of the women’s game.

Together with the players, her backroom team and the network of support staff aiming to drive LCFC Women forward, Bedford will now set about building on that success in the new campaign, as the Club continues to develop its standing in the women’s game.

Lydia said: “I have enjoyed every moment of my time at Leicester so far and I’m grateful to the Club for their continued support and belief in what we’re trying to achieve. This is an exciting place to be right now, as the Club continues its investment in the women’s game. I am looking forward to the season starting and believe we are creating an environment that allows players to thrive.

“I would like to place on record my thanks to Kay Cossington, Sue Campbell and the FA for enabling me to take up the initial opportunity here at Leicester last November and their continued support during such an important step forward in my career.”

Following Lydia’s appointment part-way through last season, the team secured two crucial victories against Birmingham City, as well as achieving wins over Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United – lifting LCFC Women off the foot of the table and ensuring WSL football returns to Filbert Way for the upcoming campaign.

The team’s second season of WSL football follows an historic period of growth for LCFC Women following their acquisition by King Power in August 2020. The team earned promotion to the WSL as Barclays Women’s Championship winners in their first season after turning professional, became the only women’s team in the country with a dedicated elite training facility as they moved into Belvoir Drive and played the majority of their home games at King Power Stadium.

A new Academy Pathway has also been launched to support elite young female talent in their development and drive participation in women’s football throughout the county – something Lydia is well-placed to support having been England Women’s Youth Team Head Coach prior to joining the Foxes.

Lydia’s coaching journey began in 2008 and eventually led to acquiring her UEFA Pro Licence in 2019. She is highly regarded in the women’s game has an excellent knowledge of players, having worked with some of the country’s best young talent in her role at the Football Association.

Her reputation was further enhanced by her achievements with LCFC Women last term, and she will now prepare the squad for a second season in the Barclays Women’s Super League, which starts on 9-11 September.