May 30 – West Ham United have been catapulted straight into the top division of the restructured Women’s Super League in England, while Manchester United have been awarded a license for the second tier Women’s Championship for their newly formed team.
Southampton and Crystal Palace and the biggest name clubs from the Premier League that failed to win licenses, neither being admitted to the Women’s Championship in what is the biggest shake-up of the professional and semi-professional tiers of the women’s game in England.
Baroness Sue Campbell, The FA’s head of women’s football said: “Today’s announcement is the result of two years of planning and a milestone within our delivery of The Gameplan for Growth strategy.
“The revised competition structure will positively impact on the delivery of the women’s game across all levels, both on and off the pitch.
“Such is the strength of women’s football in this country, there have been some difficult decisions to make but they’ve been made with the sport’s best interests at heart.”
Under the restructure, clubs were asked to re-apply for their places in leagues, and new clubs had the opportunity to submit applications. Clubs failing to win a license have 14 days to appeal.
Sunderland, who finished seventh in the top tier in 2017-18, Watford and Oxford will all be offered spots in the third tier, the new Women’s National League, according to a BBC report.
“This is a hugely exciting time for the game and I am hopeful that we will look back upon this as one of the most significant decisions made in its history,” said Campbell.
The new FA Women’s Super League kicks off on the weekend of September 8-9. The teams for the 2018-19 season are:
- Arsenal
- Birmingham City Ladies
- Brighton & Hove Albion Women
- Bristol City Women
- Chelsea FC Women
- Everton Ladies FC
- Liverpool Ladies FC
- Manchester City Women
- Reading FC Women
- Yeovil Town Ladies
- West Ham United Ladies
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