In anticipation of their first WSL season the club began a complete renovation of the playing squad, signing a number of England internationals and promising players, including the likes of England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley, 74-times capped midfielder Jill Scott and new club captain Steph Houghton, intending to make an impression on the league from the start. On 23 January 2014, the club was relaunched with a minor renaming to Manchester City Women's Football Club, ready for the new season. Nick Cushing was appointed first team manager, with Leigh Wood moving to first team head coach. Their first season of the professional football would see Manchester City finish fifth of eight teams, at the same time winning their first ever major trophy when they defeated Arsenal in the 2014 FA WSL Cup Final. The following season would start poorly, but City Women returned from the summer break for the Women's World Cup a different side, with England's third-place finish seemingly rejuvenating both players and fans. Recording twelve wins in their remaining thirteen league games the club entered a title challenge which they only lost on the final day of the season. Although it brought them no silverware, their runners-up position was enough to secure them European football for the first time in their history. As they embarked on their late-season surge, City also broke the league attendance record not once but twice. The following seasons would see Manchester City become one of the dominant sides of English women's football, winning the league in 2016 and claiming two Women's FA Cup and two further WSL Cups by the end of the decade. Nick Cushing left his role as manager to become assistant coach to Ronny Deila at MLS side New York City FC, with his last match being against Arsenal on 2 February 2020. Since the opening of Academy Stadium directly across the Ashton New Road and Alan Turing Way from the City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester City Women have been based at the training complex's 7,000 capacity stadium in tandem with the men's academy's senior side. The stadium has on three occasions since the middle of 2015 set an attendance record for a FA WSL league game. Prior to moving into Academy Stadium, the women's side were based in the Manchester Regional Athletics Arena. Throughout their history, MCWFC have had an affiliation with Manchester City, being established within its corporate structure in 1988. Replica kits of the men's team were still worn and the team was financially supported by the professional side, yet organisationally it managed itself for much of its existence. Established as part of City in the Community in 1988 with its development during the 1990s and beyond relying on the dedication of a number of Manchester City Ladies officials, individuals and volunteers.