Milton Keynes Dons

Ground: The Select Security Stadium (Capacity - 13,350)

Nickname: The Toffees

Kit: Blue shirts, white shorts, blue socks

Manager: Andy Spence

Spence was appointed manager of Everton Ladies in November 2012 after serving as assistant manager of the Toffees for eight years.

During his time as assistant to then boss Mo Marley, Spence helped the Merseyside outfit lift the FA Women’s Cup in 2010, the League Cup in 2008 and finish as runners-up in the Women’s Premier League for five successive seasons.

Holder of a UEFA A-Licence, Spence coached Team GB to a bronze medal at the 2009 World University Games and has also held a role as director of the hugely successful Everton Centre of Excellence.

Captain: Michelle Hinnigan

Hinnigan, 23, was handed the captains armband ahead of the 2014 campaign following the departure of former skipper Jill Scott at the end of the last season.

A talented midfielder, who progressed through the youth ranks at Everton, Hinnigan has been rewarded for her excellent performances with international recognition for England at both Under-17 and Under-20 levels.

Away from football, Hinnigan attended Loughborough University on the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme.

Key player: Nikita Parris

Another product of the Everton Centre of Excellence, Parris has risen through the ranks to senior side having joined the Club at the age of 14.

A pacy forward, who has represented England at Under-15s, Under-17s and Under-18s level, Parris hit the headlines for Everton Ladies after scoring the equaliser in the Continental Cup clash with Liverpool in March 2013.

Handed the number 9 shirt for this current campaign, Parris already has five goals to her name from just nine appearances in all competitions.

The club started life as Hoylake WFC in 1983 before merging with Dolphins YC to form Leasowe Pacific.

After enjoying early success in the North West League and reaching the 1988 Women’s FA Cup Final, Everton under their old guise went on to win their regional league five years running and when the national completion was expanded in 1993 they were admitted to Division One North.

Finishing top that inaugural season, they were promoted to the FA Women’s Premier League where, in 1995, the club became known as Everton Ladies.

Everton achieved their biggest success in 1998 to date by winning the National Premier League and they went close to adding to that a year later when they reached the FA Women’s Cup final, only to lose 3-1 to Arsenal.

The Toffees again tasted defeat in the FA Women’s Cup final in 2005 when they were beaten 1-0 by Charlton Athletic but they gained some revenge of sorts two years later when they pipped the Addicks to second place in the Premier League which meant a European place for them in 2007/08.

Despite winning all three of their group matches in the UEFA Women’s Cup by scoring 20 goals and not conceding, their campaign was to end in disappointment at the second group stage after they finished third.

Everton looked to put their European disappointment behind them the following season and if not for a 1-0 loss to Arsenal on the final day of the year they would have been crowned Premier League champions for only the second time in their history.

The Toffees did, however, add to their trophy cabinet in 2010 by beating Arsenal 3-2 in extra-time to lift the FA Women’s Cup – their last piece of silverware.

Just like their FA Women’s Cup final opponents Arsenal, Everton have yet to record a victory in the Women’s Super League this season.

The Toffees, under the leadership of their new manager Spence, were beaten by Manchester City on the opening day of the season but bounced back to hold Bristol City to a draw.

Everton then lost 2-0 to Notts County before a goalless draw with Birmingham City last month kept them within four points of third place.