Everton Facing Relegation

Everton’s proud history of top flight football could come to its end when they face Notts County in a relegation six-pointer on Sunday.

By Tony Leighton

The rock-bottom Toffees, without a Super League win all season, are seven points below second bottom County with just three games remaining.

Relegation seems a certainty for the team that has been in the elite division since 1993, winning what was then the Premier League in 1998 and lifting both the League Cup and FA Cup in the last six years.

But captain Michelle Hinnigan, who was part of the 2010 FA Cup winning side, is refusing to give up the fight.
 
“We’ll be going out against Notts with all guns blazing,” promised England Under-23 midfielder Hinnigan.
 
“We know we’ll have to win our last three games to have a chance of staying in WSL1, but that’s the aim and we’re absolutely determined to do it.”

Everton’s aim is also a mighty tall order – after their trip to Notts they finish the campaign with away games against current leaders Chelsea and in-form Arsenal.
 
The Merseysiders’ plight has come in the wake of losing a mass of key players to other Super League clubs in the last few seasons.


 
Hinnigan was one of only two players in last week’s starting line-up against Manchester City who also started in that 2010 FA Cup final win against Arsenal.
 
The Toffees skipper, 24, said: “Losing a lot of big players has had its effect, but we’re not looking for excuses – we just have to go out and get those wins.”

Photos: The FA via Getty Images


SHE KICKS – the online community for women’s football

Upcoming Events

Would you like to read more women’s football news just like this? Sign up to receive the She Kicks Women’s Football newsletter