BBC Women's Football Weekly

BBC Radio 5 Live
  • 4.9 (38)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

Whether you're a lifelong Lionesses fan or just getting into the women's game, BBC Women's Football Weekly brings you closer to the action with new episodes every week. Ben Haines teams up with England's record goalscorer Ellen White to unpack the biggest talking points from the Women's Super League and beyond - covering match previews, standout performances, and all the drama on and off the pitch. BBC Women's Football Weekly also features exclusive interviews with the biggest stars in the Women's Super League and national teams. Subscribe now to get every episode as soon as it drops and stay in the know with the latest from the world of women's football. Plus, listen to classic episodes of Jill Scott's Coffee Club, where Jill sits down with players for honest, off-the-pitch conversations over a coffee.

  1. 1d ago

    Lionesses on track, Cuthbert returns and Kirby on Brighton's start

    Ellen White and Ben Haines are back and this week they’re joined by England legend and Brighton midfielder Fran Kirby! Together, the trio look back on England’s 3-1 victory against Greece in the first-leg of their World Cup play-off semi-final - from debutants and Maya Le Tissier impressing at right-back to asking how the Lionesses can become more ruthless in front of goal. Vicki Sparks also chats to Keira Walsh and Sarina Wiegman ahead of the second leg on Tuesday evening at the King Power stadium in Leicester. Elsewhere across the international break, there were away wins for Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland in their play-off games, as well as a welcome return to the field for Chelsea captain Erin Cuthbert. Fran also gives us an insight into life at Brighton under new boss Arturo Ruiz before previewing some crucial fixtures across the WSL this weekend. TIMECODES: 00:05 - Ellen and Ben are back with Fran Kirby as their special guest! 03:31 - Review of the Lionesses 3-1 against Greece in Crete. 12:20 - Would you like to see the Lionesses celebrate goals more? 15:50 - What are the positives for England? Debutants and Maya Le Tissier at right-back. 22:40 - How can England be more ruthless going forward? 27:00 - Keira Walsh and Sarina Wiegman chat to Vicki Sparks ahead of the second leg. 33:50 - Round up of the other home nations involved in World Cup qualifying. 37:31 - USA v Spain friendlies, a glimpse of what could be a huge game at the World Cup. 40:10 - WSL preview, starting with Fran’s insight into life at Brighton under Arturo Ruiz. 47:00 - Spurs will be tested over the next couple of weeks. 49:45 - A chance for Arsenal to start fresh against Birmingham?

  2. 6d ago

    Lionesses special: Esme Morgan & the next-gen midfielders

    Ellen White is back at St. George’s Park, alongside BBC Women's Sport Reporter Jo Currie, for a Lionesses special ahead of their upcoming World Cup play-off games against Greece. Ellen sits down with Washington Spirit defender Esme Morgan to discuss finding consistency in the England starting XI, how the NWSL season has prepared her for these crucial international games, and we of course get an update on Biscuit the cat! Plus, Jo chats to England’s exciting new midfield talents in the press conference, Lexi Potter and Erica Meg Parkinson. Full commentary of England v Greece is on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds. The first leg is a 5:30pm kick-off on Friday 9th October. TIMECODES: 00:04 - Ellen White and Jo Currie are back! 02:01 – Esme Morgan interview. 21:44 – Ellen and Jo discuss what’s ahead for England. 29:04 – Lexi Potter and Erica Meg Parkinson chat in the press conference. 32:50 - Ellen and Jo reflect on the Lionesses they’ve heard from.

    Lionesses special: Esme Morgan & the next-gen midfielders

  3. Oct 6

    City lead, Arsenal struggle and Putellas delivers: The WSL half term review!

    As we reach the first international break of the season, Ellen White is joined by BBC Women's Sport Reporter Jo Currie and the Telegraph’s Women’s Football reporter Kathryn Batte to provide a half term review of the Women’s Super League. Five games in, Manchester City remain the team to beat and Arsenal’s struggles continue. The team discuss if the reigning champions can keep their momentum going and are the problems deeper than on the pitch at Arsenal who sit 10th, 10 points adrift of the league leaders. Jo also asks if London City Lionesses have lived up to the hype given their big summer transfer window and puts Ellen and Kathryn to the test in a quick fire round assessing each club’s performance so far. TIMECODES: 00:04 - Ellen White and Jo Currie are down at St. George’s Park. 01:10 - Ellen and Jo are joined by Kathryn Batte for a WSL half term review, starting with Arsenal. 11:25 - Manchester City remain the team to beat. 16:12- London City Lionesses deliver on their pre-season hype. 20:40 - Quick fire reviews of the rest of the league.

  4. Sep 28

    Chelsea’s statement win, growing Arsenal concerns & the rise of Lexi Potter

    Ben and Ellen are joined by Em Sanders to dissect a fiery London derby at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea claimed bragging rights over Arsenal. The team examine Arsenal’s early-season stumbling blocks ahead of a huge week featuring away trips to Paris FC and Manchester City. Plus, hear post-match reaction from Sonia Bompastor and Lucy Bronze, who give credit to Katie McCabe and Lexi Potter, who could be England’s next breakthrough star ahead of Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses squad announcement on Tuesday. Ellen, Ben and Em also assess Tottenham’s unbeaten start to the WSL season and whether they can maintain their form against tougher opposition, before looking ahead to Matchday 2 of the Women’s Champions League. TIMECODES: 00:05 - Ellen and Ben are joined by Em Sanders this week! 03:57 - Chelsea beat Arsenal in a feisty encounter at Stamford Bridge. 12:30 - More frustrations for Arsenal who drop points again. 18:40 - What does the bigger picture look like for Arsenal with Paris FC and Man City up next? 22:43 - Reaction from Sonia Bompastor and Lucy Bronze. 25:30 - Praise for Katie McCabe and Lexi Potter. 29:21 - Tottenham maintain their unbeaten start to the WSL season. Can they keep it going against tougher opponents? 32:15 - Preview of match day 2 in the Women’s Champions League.

  5. Sep 21

    City’s perfect start, United show progress & the Champions League returns!

    Ben Haines and Ellen White are together in the studio to break down a big weekend of domestic action and preview the return of European football! First up, the team react to Manchester City maintaining their 100% start to the WSL campaign and Lauren Hemp’s current form, before diving into Tottenham’s dominant victory over 10-player Crystal Palace. Attention then turns to Manchester United taking a massive step forward under Eva Olid against Arsenal, with special praise for their standout summer signing, Andrea Medina. The UEFA Women’s Champions League returns this week! Ben and Ellen discuss which WSL side faces the toughest draw in the league phase and whether any English team has done enough in the transfer market to bridge the gap to European royalty, Barcelona and Lyon. Plus, Chelsea star Alyssa Thompson sits down with Em Sanders to discuss her second season in London and Chelsea's European ambitions, and Bethan Woolley, Head of Women & Girls’ Football at the FAW, joins the pod to react to the huge news that Cardiff will host the 2029 UWCL final. TIMECODES: 00:05 - Ellen and Ben are together in the studio! 02:08 - Reaction to Man City maintaining their 100% start to the season. 07:40 - Olivia Holdt’s hat-trick helps Spurs thrash 10-player Palace. 09:20 - Eva Olid’s Manchester United take a big step forward against Arsenal. 13:08 - Praise for United’s new signing Andrea Medina. 16:24 - The Champions League returns this week! Which WSL side has the toughest draw? 22:56 - Chelsea’s Alyssa Thompson chats to Em Sanders. 31:33 - Ellen and Ben reflect on Alyssa’s interview and Chelsea’s European ambitions. 34:45 - Can any WSL team bridge the gap to Barcelona or Lyon on the European stage? 37:30 - Bethan Woolley, Head of Women & Girls’ Football at the FAW, joins the pod to reflect on the news Cardiff will host the 2029 UWCL final.

  6. Sep 20

    The Football Interview with Michele Kang

    London City Lionesses owner and businesswoman Michele Kang joins The Football Interview to discuss her ambitious vision for women's football, from transforming London City Lionesses and signing global stars to building world-class facilities for female athletes. Michele chats to Kelly Somers about her upbringing in South Korea, how she ended up investing in women's football and her ultimate desire to close the 'indefensible' gap between girls and boys.

    The Football Interview with Michele Kang

  7. Sep 14

    Arsenal drop points, Ballon d'Or nominations & new fertility support funds

    Ben Haines and Ellen White are back! First up, they dissect Arsenal’s frustrating goalless draw against Crystal Palace at the Emirates. Despite dominating possession, the Gunners failed to find a clinical edge in front of goal - what could dropping early points mean for their title charge? Ellen and Ben also react to Chelsea’s dominance and Manchester City maintaining their 100% start to the WSL season. Former England and Manchester United goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain joins the pod as the team take a deep dive into the rise of club and confederation-funded fertility care, IVF assistance, and egg-freezing options. Ellen and Siobhan examine how far the sport has progressed since their playing days and how increased fertility support and knowledge benefits players on and off the pitch. Siobhan also gives her thoughts on Manchester United’s transition period under new head coach Eva Olid, before the team react to the newly revealed 2026 Ballon d'Or Féminin shortlist. With stars like Alessia Russo and Bunny Shaw in the mix, can a WSL player finally conquer Barcelona’s dominance over the award? TIMECODES: 00:05 - Ben and Ellen are back! 01:45 - Arsenal drop points at the Emirates against Crystal Palace. 07:15 - Reaction from Georgia Stanway and Renee Slegers. 11:15 - Praise for Palace goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin. 14:15 - Reflections on Chelsea’s dominance and Manchester City’s 100% start. 19:37 - Siobhan Chamberlain joins the pod for a special discussion on increasing fertility support in women’s football. 28:50 - More on Chelsea’s partnership with Fertility Plus. 37:15 - We get Siobhan’s thoughts on Manchester United’s period of transition. 41:52 - Reflections on the 2026 Ballon d'Or Féminin shortlist.

  8. Sep 13

    Jackie Bachteler on contracting sepsis

    Burnley manager Jackie Bachteler sat down with Emma Sanders to talk about contracting sepsis and how nine months ago she was fighting for her life. The American had just joined the club to work with the women's first team and men's academy but three weeks later, Bachteler was rushed to A&E and diagnosed with sepsis - a life-threatening illness that left her bedridden for days. Jackie talks very honestly about how it took her months to recover and she still suffers from regular post-sepsis symptoms today. Burnley host Sunderland in the WSL2 on Sunday which coincides with World Sepsis Day.

    Jackie Bachteler on contracting sepsis
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About

Whether you're a lifelong Lionesses fan or just getting into the women's game, BBC Women's Football Weekly brings you closer to the action with new episodes every week. Ben Haines teams up with England's record goalscorer Ellen White to unpack the biggest talking points from the Women's Super League and beyond - covering match previews, standout performances, and all the drama on and off the pitch. BBC Women's Football Weekly also features exclusive interviews with the biggest stars in the Women's Super League and national teams. Subscribe now to get every episode as soon as it drops and stay in the know with the latest from the world of women's football. Plus, listen to classic episodes of Jill Scott's Coffee Club, where Jill sits down with players for honest, off-the-pitch conversations over a coffee.

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