The Chigwell Construction Ground became a fortress for the Irons last season as West Ham won more home games than they ever had in a WSL season.
Brick by East London brick Rehanne Skinner has built West Ham into a team to be feared, especially at home. After successfully turning around the fortunes of the Irons last season West Ham have managed to keep hold of many of the key figures who orchestrated that success both on and off the pitch.
Some smart acquisitions have only served to bolster an already strong squad. The Irons were likely the team who proved the most people wrong last season with some tipping them for relegation. If they are to take the next step up the table, consistency and improved results on the road will be key.
The Halfway Line previews West Ham ahead of the 2025/26 Barclays Women’s Super League season.
Embed from Getty Images
How West Ham finished last season
After a mixed start and the Hammers locked on minimal points at the bottom with Leicester City and Crystal Palace, fans were fearing the worst. But even then there were reasons to be hopeful, West Ham were performing well but failing to get the rub of the green. A 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on bonfire night felt particularly harsh after an almost comical own goal denied them a well deserved point.
But just a week later West Ham got their first win of the league season, beating Leicester City 1-0 in a match they dominated. The Hammers hardly looked back after that with some eye catching results. Those included home victories over, Everton, Spurs, Brighton and Crystal Palace as well as impressive draws against Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.
West Ham managed their best ever home record in the league, even if their away record left a lot to be desired. A 7-1 victory over Crystal Palace was their only victory on the road all season, but they showed promise as the season drew to a close. That draw away to Chelsea were the only points the Blues dropped at home all season. And they scored three away to Arsenal before succumbing to a 4-3 defeat.
West Ham also made the semi final of the Subway Women’s League Cup and put up a good fight against eventual winners Chelsea despite defeat. With only a few games remaining the Hammers still had the chance to finish fifth but a poor final few games ensured a ninth place finish. They have the ability to finish higher this season and Rehanne Skinner will be confident she can help the squad fulfil that potential.
Embed from Getty Images
How West Ham’s transfer window shaped up
West Ham have made a number of intriguing signings ahead of the 2025/26 season. The Irons signed Welsh attacker Ffion Morgan from Bristol City. She has already scored her first goal for the club in a 3-0 friendly victory over Liverpool last month.
Morgan scored 15 goals for Bristol City in her time at the club and she was the Supporters Player of the Season for 2024/25. She was a regular starter for Bristol City on their unsuccessful venture into the WSL a couple of seasons ago. The Welsh woman has starred for Wales in recent times and has a huge social media presence with almost 200,000 followers on Instagram and 3.1 million likes on Tiktok.
However perhaps their most impressive signing was that of OL Lyonnes young Swiss forward Leila Wandeler. Wandeler was one of the host nation’s star performers over the summer at EURO 2025 providing an assist off the bench against Iceland on match day two. They have also confirmed the arrival of Sarah Brasero, England under 23s international and Yu Endo from WE League side Urawa Reds. West Ham also brought in Hungary international Anna Csiki from rivals Tottenham Hotspur on a season long loan deal.
Young forward Princess Ademiluyi left for Gotham for an undisclosed fee, a move that will disappoint Irons fans. The youngster was a name that provided plenty of excitement from the terraces and a likely future Lioness to boot. Camila Sáez also leaves on loan to WSL 2 side Bristol City as has promising Irish midfielder Jess Ziu. Defenders Kirsty Smith and Shannon Cooke have departed to the WSL 2, the former to Nottingham Forest and the latter to Birmingham City. Emma Harries, who played exceptionally well in the cameos she received off the bench for the Irons last season has joined Southampton. While youngster Ruby Doe has also moved onto Ipswich Town.
Inès Belloumou will feel like a new signing but in reality she is just returning to her parent club. The exciting defender spent the start of the season on loan at Malmo in Sweden nabbing a goal and three assists in 11 Damallsvenskan matches this season. Formerly of Bayern Munich and Lazio, she arrives with pedigree behind her.
Jessie Stapleton, a talented young defender that West Ham fought off Manchester City to sign in 2023, has extended her stay with a further two year contract. She has had loans at Reading, Sunderland and will spend this season on loan at newly promoted to the WSL 2, Nottingham Forest.
Embed from Getty Images
Key players in the WSL for West Ham
A sign of how much West Ham have improved even in the past year is how hard it is to pick out just a couple of key figures. West Ham have Shelina Zadorsky, a favourite of Skinners, having come with Skinner from Tottenham Hotspur is key. She signed a new deal this summer at the club, an Olympic champion worth her weight in gold. Amber Tysiak joins her at the back, the Belgian made more interceptions than any other Hammer last term. The pair made a whopping 275 clearances between them last season.
Full backs Verina Hanshaw and Anouk Denton were also particularly impressive in defence. As was Polish shot stopper Kinga Szemik, she made 77 saves the third most in the league.
Captain Katrina Gorrywho spoke exclusively to The Halfway Line earlier this summer, is the beating heart of the team. Gorry won the most tackles last year and made the most passes that led to a shot attempt, demonstrating her box to box nature. She formed a potent partnership with Finland midfielder Oona Siren as the pair anchored West Ham.
Viviane Asseyi is also vital for West Ham, no player in the entire league had more goals and assists than Asseyi last campaign. As well as a lethal finisher, her delivery from a dead ball is impeccable a significant part of West Ham’s aerial prowess.
Shekiera Martinez had an incredible impact after returning from a loan spell to West Ham in January. The German striker scored 10 goals, a league high in that time. She was lethal, scoring against Arsenal and Chelsea away. She also netted four against Crystal Palace. Perhaps at times overshadowed by her two strike partners Riko Ueki is quietly an important player for West Ham. The Japan international got nine goal involvements last term and is an excellent hold up player.
Predictions for West Ham’s WSL season ahead
West Ham face three of the top five in their first four matches, that is a daunting prospect. However none of those teams will relish facing the Hammers either. If West Ham can build on their rock solid home form by improving their fortunes on the road this season, they could trouble the upper reaches of the table.
West Ham should be looking up the table rather than down after a positive window. With quality like Asseyi, Martinez and Gorry they know that on their day (likely a dreary one in Dagenham) they can beat anyone.