How a breakaway football club reached the pinnacle of the English women's game
In short: Born from a split with Millwall in 2019, London City Lionesses transformed from an independent startup into a Women's Super League contender. Through strategic ownership changes, high-profile signings, and a focus on bespoke infrastructure, the club has navigated financial instability to secure its place in the top tier of English football.
The London City Lionesses emerged in May 2019 as an independent breakaway from the Millwall Lionesses. The separation was finalized when the Football Association approved the transfer of the Championship license on 29 June 2019. Initially funded by blockchain entrepreneur Anthony Culligan and his wife Diane, the club faced significant turbulence by 2023. Despite a strong start to the 2022–23 season, the resignation of manager Melissa Phillips in January 2023 and subsequent financial concerns led the entire squad to issue a collective plea for new investment or a sale in June 2023.
The turning point arrived on 15 December 2023, when the Culligans sold the club to Michele Kang, the owner of the Washington Spirit. Under Kang’s leadership, the club aggressively pursued professionalization. This included the appointment of manager Jocelyn Prêcheur and the signing of Swedish captain Kosovare Asllani in June 2024. Kang also integrated the club into Kynisca Sports International Ltd., a global multi-team organization designed to centralize performance science, data analytics, and scouting while allowing the Lionesses to maintain their distinct identity.
The club’s commitment to long-term growth is anchored by its investment in infrastructure. In June 2024, the club acquired Cobdown Park, a 28-acre site in Ditton, Kent, with plans to develop a world-class, women-centric training facility. This vision received a major boost on 26 September 2025, when the Tonbridge and Malling borough council unanimously granted full planning permission for the site. These efforts culminated on 4 May 2025, when the team secured promotion to the Women's Super League after a draw against Birmingham City, marking a historic achievement for a fully independent club in the modern era.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: London City Lionesses
- Also: Wikidata — London City Lionesses · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — 2025–26 London City Lionesses season · CC0
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