From Second Bottom to League Champions: The Salford Club Transforming Girls' Football

When David Craig Edwards took over the girls' team at Cadishead Sports JFC three years ago, they were finishing second from bottom in the Warrington Girls League. This season, those same players celebrated lifting the league trophy after winning 19 games, drawing one, and losing just once.

But the real transformation has been far more profound. What began as a single underperforming team has blossomed into eight girls' squads with over 160 female players – representing more than a third of the club's total membership of 440. From under-5s taking their first kicks to under-16s catching the eye of professional scouts, Cadishead has become a beacon for girls' football development in Greater Manchester.

National Lottery: The Foundation of Success
The club's extraordinary turnaround has been underpinned by crucial National Lottery funding – part of the £6.8 billion invested in grassroots sport over three decades that has transformed women and girls' football across the UK. Cadishead received £20,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund specifically to redevelop their clubhouse, creating "a safer and more secure space for children and the wider community to access for communal and sporting activities." Additional National Lottery Legacy funding of £500 has specifically supported the growth of their women's and girls' teams.

"The National Lottery funding goes a long way," explains Edwards, the Welsh coach who has become the driving force behind the club's success. "No matter what the amount – we can make use of it in the right way. It's about the kids and putting facilities in place that will serve them for the next 20 years."

The grants formed part of a total £120,000 refurbishment that transformed a building Edwards describes as "horrible, mouldy and damp" into a modern community hub. New toilets, referees' changing rooms, storage facilities and a complete interior overhaul have created a space where families gather to support their children's footballing dreams.

From 56 Girls to Eight Teams
The transformation began in the immediate aftermath of the Lionesses' historic Euro 2022 victory, when England's triumph sparked an unprecedented surge of interest in girls' football. At Cadishead, 56 girls turned up to a single training session – a local reflection of the national phenomenon that saw participation skyrocket following England's success. Today, that Lionesses-inspired boom has translated into eight girls' teams with over 160 female players out of a total club membership of 440, with their full female pathway now extending from under-5s to under-16s.

Edwards, originally from Mold in North Wales but now coaching English girls in Manchester, embodies the inclusive spirit defining modern football. Located in Salford near Media City, Cadishead has become a beacon for community-led development, with scouts from Manchester United and Manchester City regularly watching their players.

"We're here for the kids, and that's it," Edwards says simply, reflecting the volunteer spirit that drives the club's success.

The impact extends far beyond match results. The club's annual tournament attracts over 120 teams from across the North West, with visiting sides travelling from as far as the Isle of Man. Their recent presentation day saw families celebrating together from 6am to 8pm, highlighting the community bonds that football creates.

National Investment, Local Impact
Edwards has recently taken on the additional role of referee liaison officer, addressing the chronic shortage of match officials by training young players to become referees – with the club funding their qualifications through Manchester FA. Among his 16 referees are three young women, including 18-year-old Lexi who also plays for Bolton Wanderers.

"Everyone on the committee does their job to the best of their ability," Edwards notes. "You're either all in or you're not in. Everyone's a volunteer – no one's paid for any of this."

The club's challenges remain real – they spend around £25,000 annually on winter pitch hire alone. Yet the optimism is infectious, fuelled by knowing they're part of something much bigger than themselves.

The Cobbles Await
The club's upcoming appearance on Coronation Street for the Big Football Day event on Saturday 12th July – where they'll join six other grassroots clubs from across England and Wales, taking place the day before England faces Wales in UEFA Women's Euro 2025 – provides a fitting showcase for their transformation. As part of The FA's Made for This Game campaign, the event highlights National Lottery players' ongoing contribution of £30 million weekly to good causes across the UK.

Standing on those famous cobbles, surrounded by teammates from the other six clubs representing England and Wales, the Cadishead girls will represent the culmination of a remarkable grassroots success story. They'll embody three decades of National Lottery investment that believed in women's sport long before the television deals, before the sponsorship, before the fame.

"The girls absolutely love it," Edwards reflects. "They've always got smiles on their faces. It's not many girls out there who can say they've won a league in two or three years of playing football."

For the families of Salford, National Lottery support has created more than just better facilities – it has provided a foundation for dreams, friendships, and a sense of belonging that will last long after the final whistle.

The Big Football Day event takes place on Coronation Street on Saturday 12th July, featuring clubs from England and Wales, with National Lottery funding continuing to change the game for women and girls across the UK.