While Gareth Taylor’s side – who equalled our highest WSL points tally - were ultimately pipped to top spot on the final day by Chelsea, the squad has continually hit new heights on the pitch, both individually and as a collective.
It points towards an exciting future for the team, who will be focused on going one better in 2024/25, both on a domestic front and, once again, European setting.
Shaw credits team-mates after FWA win
City’s title push was underpinned by a remarkable winning run that stretched from November to May.
Gareth Taylor’s grabbed 14 successive league wins during that period, equalling the record for the longest sequence of victories in WSL history in the process.
City also pulled clear in our own right though, with that tally breaking the league record for a winning streak across a single season, surpassing our 2020/21 tally of 12.
The run included statement wins over Manchester United and Chelsea, with 48 goals scored and just eight conceded in the process.
And the first win of that sequence also carried another piece of significance, not just in that it came in the maiden Manchester derby of the campaign.
Indeed, City’s 3-1 triumph over United also carried the distinction of being our rivals’ first defeat at Old Trafford.
Coming into the tie on the back of successive WSL defeats, Taylor’s side fell behind to an early Katie Zelem penalty but responded in remarkable fashion, with goals from Jill Roord, Lauren Hemp and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw turning the game on its head.
Shaw was also on the scoresheet three months later as City picked up another crucial victory during that run, this time away to Chelsea.
The Jamaican’s early goal on the counter proved the difference in the battle between the WSL’s top two as the visitors claimed an eighth win in succession.
In doing so, we became the first away side to come away from Kingsmeadow with three points in over three years, and 33 matches in all competitions.
City had to hold firm to see out the win, and that defensive diligence has been the bedrock of a memorable campaign.
Taylor’s side boast the best defensive record in the English top flight, conceding just 14 times in 22 matches.
That’s included nine shutouts, the most of any team in the WSL and enough to earn Khiara Keating the league’s Golden Glove award.
The youngster has enjoyed a truly remarkable campaign between the sticks and, at just 19, has established herself as a key cog in this City side, signing a contract extension at the end of 2023.
But while our defensive qualities have rightly earned plaudits, the same can be said at the other end of the pitch, where we boast the WSL’s Golden Boot winner.
Shaw’s exploits across the campaign have seen her pick up numerous individual accolades, including the FWA Footballer of the Year and WSL Player of the Season gongs.
Her 21 strikes in just 18 appearances is the highest tally of any player in 202324, with the Jamaican also becoming the Club’s record goalscorer when she found the net in a 3-1 Manchester derby win at the Etihad Stadium.
Over 40,000 supporters witnessed Taylor’s side claim a third win over Manchester United this season on that March afternoon and, two months later, another incredible attendance packed into the Joie Stadium.
City’s final home match of the campaign, against Arsenal, drew in a crowd of 5,409, a record for the Joie Stadium.
There’s plenty of achievements to look back on with pride from 2023/24, and just as much to look forward to ahead of 2024/25.
