Greater Manchester cleans up at first-ever Festival of Women’s Football Awards

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First ever Festival of Women's Football Awards 2025 winners

This week marked the inaugural Festival of Women’s Football Awards (FWFA), which not only saw a whole host of female talent from up and down the English pyramid celebrated, but Greater Manchester in particular picked up a number of accolades.

Of course, we all know that 0161 is the true home of football, with Manchester’s rich sporting heritage known worldwide, but it’s always nice to see our region recognised for its continued contribution to the beautiful game.

That reputation goes double for the women’s game too, as the 2025 FWFA saw a trio of local clubs and a trio of different players winning across multiple categories.

Starting with the blue side of Manchester, Manchester City Women star Yui Hasegawa picked up Player of the Year from a strong shortlist of midfielders.

The 28-year-old Japanese international had been a key cog in Gareth Taylor’s side prior to his departure last month and under returning interim coach Nick Cushing.

Joining the club back in the summer of 2022, Hasegawa famously scored on her debut and was named in the PFA Team of the Year that season.

Playing in 92 of the 96 games since her arrival, she is widely considered not just one of the best midfielders in the Women’s Super League (WSL) but the world.

As for the red half of the city, not only did Phallon Tullis-Joyce – who has shone since filling the very big boots of Mary Earps – pick up the award for the best shotstopper, but centre-back Maya Le Tissier was named both Defender and Young Player of the Year.

We suppose you could call it a treble of sorts.

Still just 23 and already having represented the Lionesses too, she’s looking like one of Manchester United Women’s team’s most promising prospects.

As for club-wide awards, Wigan Athletic Women’s Team picked up the trophy for ‘Best Fan Experience’, with Greater Manchester and Wigan, specifically, already being noted as one of the trailblazing regions for growing regular attendances and nurturing future female footballers.

Latics Women only launched their squad this season but have already amassed a passionate following, hence the award, and also won the Lancashire Women’s County League Championship at the first time of asking.

Congratulations to all the Greater Mancunian footballing organisations and sports personalities recognised at this year’s Festival of Women’s Football Awards – here’s hoping for even more in 2026!

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Featured Images — Taylor Vincent (via X)/FWFA (supplied)/Shimura19 (via Wikimedia Commons)