Arsenal Ladies Quadruple winning season 2006/07
Since their inception in 1987 no women’s side has been more successful than Arsenal, both in terms of on field dominance and bringing eyes to the women’s game. No more was this true than in the defining season in 2006/07, in which the team won every single competition available to them unbeaten in a historical sextuple. This included the Women’s Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Community Shied, London County FA Women’s Cup and most notably becoming the first (and only) British side to win the UEFA Cup. They blew away their opponents with a record of 42 wins and 2 draws in 44 games, scoring 119 goals and conceding 10.
The 06/07 side had a perfect balance of international players with experience, players hitting their peak years and the countries best young talent coming through. A deadly attack was spearheaded by Julie Fleeting and Kelly Smith, who scored 30 in 34 that season, Emma Byrne was an ever reliable presence in goal with the clubs all-time leading goal scorer Jane Ludlow pulling the strings in the middle and the likes of Katie Chapman, Alex Scott and Rachel Yankey also having fantastic seasons. The team had it all and this is without England captain Faye White included, who unfortunately torn her ACL in theummer of 2006. Many of the Arsenal players were still holding down other jobs and playing against full time professionals.
It is impossible to speak on this incredible side without also mentioning manager Vic Akers, men’s first team kit man turned clubs most successful manager. It was Akers himself who got a women’s side off the ground 33 years ago, when he first proposed the idea to then Arsenal Chairman David Dein, who gave Vic his full support. Over his tenure Akers installed the professionalism and class associated with the club nowadays, as he laid the groundwork for all the success to come. As manager he won, 11 league titles and 9 FA Cups, and a 108-game winning streak from 2003-2009 including 6 unbeaten campaigns, with all of the success culminating in the 06/07 triumphs.
The crowning achievement of this season is of course the UEFA Cup win. Arsenals domestic dominance may lead you to think that this competition would be a walk over, but this was not the case. In fact, the side were largely considered underdogs in Europe, due to the women’s game in Britain not being as advanced as our European counterparts, this likely helped take the pressure off them in as it was a nice change of pace from being expected to win all the time.
The final was played over two legs against back to back winners’ Swedish side Umeå IK, who had the competitions leading scorers Marta and Hanna Ljungberg in their side. To add another layer of worry for the Gunners, Kelly Smith was ruled out of the game due to a suspension. The final was a cagey affair but a first leg Alex Scott wonder goal, plus a formidable defensive display back at Boreham Wood, was all Arsenal needed to come out as victors in the end
Alex Scott has gone on to talk about the dominance of the club at that time saying, “It will not be emulated, because the depth of competition is now so much greater”. She believes it is for the betterment of the women’s game, “I don’t think you ever want women’s football in this country to be how it was back then again,” Scott said. As true as that may be, the heights this side reached should be celebrated and respected as they shone the light on women’s football like no other have in this country and inspired a generation of little girls who would grow to be future Lionesses.
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