The new club is a joint venture between Lincoln United FC and Lincoln City FC

A new era of women's football has begun in Lincoln with the launch of a new club.

Lincoln Women FC is a club formed as part of a joint venture between Lincoln United FC and Lincoln City FC.

The club is competing under its new name for the first time, bringing its first team and development team together.

The first team is set to play in tier five in the East Midlands Women’s Football League, whilst the development team will compete in tier seven of the Lincolnshire Women and Girls League.

Tom Padden, head coach of the first team, said: "We want Lincoln Women FC to be a club where female players from across Lincolnshire can aspire to play, develop and ultimately represent a team that has been built for them and their future.

"Our focus is to ensure we create a sustainable pathway that allows us to develop local talent, compete at the highest level possible and build something the whole city can be proud of."

He added: "We want young girls to look at Lincoln Women FC and believe that there is a place to aspire to for performance level football.”

Players will receive aligned coaching, tactical analysis, physical conditioning and regular performance reviews, but off the pitch players will also be supported with clear communication, welfare processes and an understanding of the academic, work and personal commitments.

The club plans to increase attendance on matchdays and improve the spectator experience.

The first team has already had its first match, when they competed on Sunday, October 4 in the Women's FA Cup Third Round Qualifying at the ProAmpac Stadium in Lincoln.