James Mulvihill, 32, manager of Wythenshawe FC Women’s team, led his squad to an impressive quadruple last season, reaching unprecedented success, reports Max Peberdy. This season, he’s made more history, steering Wythenshawe to the FA Cup first-round proper for the first time.
Since taking the helm last season, James transformed Wythenshawe from a team narrowly escaping relegation by just one point to league champions, adding three more trophies to the club’s collection. The team claimed victory in the North-West Regional Football League Division 1 South, the Lancashire County Cup, the Altrincham Cup, and the North-West Super Cup.
Now playing in the North West Regional Football League Premier Division, Wythenshawe sits at the top of the table with six wins and a draw. This season, their journey in the FA Cup reached a significant milestone with a 7-0 victory over Barnsley, securing them a first-round match against Middlesbrough. James expressed pride in the club’s achievements, noting, “It’s the first time for Wythenshawe to reach the first round proper, which is a huge moment for the club, the staff, and the players.”
Although Middlesbrough sits a division above Wythenshawe with substantial support from an EFL men’s team, James remains optimistic. “We’re the underdogs, but in 50 games I’ve managed at Wythenshawe, we’ve never lost a league home game. Their results suggest they’re not high-scoring, which might work in our favor.”
Before joining Wythenshawe, James managed at FC United of Manchester, where he achieved a league and cup double and secured promotion to the National League. However, he later left, feeling that the club didn’t provide enough support for the women’s team. Reflecting on his departure, he said, “Promises were made, but they didn’t follow through. Now they’re struggling, sitting at the bottom of the same league as Wythenshawe.”
James’ shift to women’s football felt natural, with his wife, Chelsea Patient, playing for Wythenshawe and his eldest daughter part of Manchester United’s squad. He sees women’s football growing in popularity, partly due to the rising costs of attending men’s games. “People are looking for more affordable ways to enjoy football, and at £2-£3 a ticket, women’s games offer quality football at a price working-class families can afford.”
As a Manchester City supporter, James draws inspiration from coaches like Pep Guardiola and Marcelo Bielsa. He describes his team’s style as a mix of positional play and aggressive man-to-man pressing, focused on both winning and putting on a show. “We want to make every game an exciting experience, especially for those coming to women’s football for the first time.”
With recent successes, James is ambitious about Wythenshawe’s future. “Our league has just 11 teams, and there are only four leagues between us and the Women’s Super League. We’re climbing fast, and with Manchester’s strong football roots, we have the resources and connections to keep progressing.”
Wythenshawe’s next big test comes on November 3, when they take on Middlesbrough with hopes of advancing in the FA Cup. If they continue their current trajectory, a place in the Women’s Super League may not be too far off.
