Three stars of women's football who were instrumental in the success of London teams have been inducted into the Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) Hall of Fame.
Casey Stoney MBE, Kerys Harrop, and the late Matt Beard were chosen for their outstanding contributions to the women’s game, with connections to clubs across the capital. The trio will be officially inducted at next month’s WSL Football Awards.
The late Matt Beard, who died in September 2025, managed Chelsea Women during the inaugural WSL match in April 2011 and later took charge at West Ham United.
His career also included spells at Liverpool and saw him become one of the most influential figures in the women’s game, winning two league titles with Liverpool in 2013 and 2014, and leading West Ham to the 2019 Women’s FA Cup final.
Mr Beard was named WSL Manager of the Season in both 2013 and 2024.
Kerys Harrop, who made a significant impact during her three seasons with Tottenham Hotspur Women from 2020 to 2023, is among the inductees.
She previously spent nine years at Birmingham City, winning the FA Cup in 2012 and helping the club reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2014. She played for Tottenham Hotspur Women from 2020 to 2023.
A former holder of the WSL’s record for most appearances, Ms Harrop retired in the summer of 2023. She now teaches at the University of Wolverhampton and continues to work in football as an agent.
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Casey Stoney, whose playing and coaching career also left its mark on London, featured for Chelsea and Arsenal early in her career before later spells with Lincoln, Arsenal, and Liverpool in the WSL era.
The defender retired in 2018 with a trophy cabinet including two league titles, four FA Cups, five League Cups, and three Community Shields.
Ms Stoney went on to become the first head coach of Manchester United Women, leading them to promotion in their debut season and establishing the team in the top flight. She now manages the Canadian women’s national team, following a successful stint with San Diego Wave in the United States.
This year’s Hall of Fame inductees were selected by a panel featuring former players, coaches, officials, journalists, and other key figures in the sport.
This year, existing Hall of Fame members were given the opportunity to join the panel and vote on the new inductees.
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