FA WSL 2
| 200px | |
| Country |  England |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 |
| Number of teams | 10 |
| Level on pyramid | 2 |
| Promotion to | FA WSL 1 |
| Relegation to | WPL Northern Division WPL Southern Division |
| Domestic cup(s) | FA Women's Cup |
| League cup(s) | FA WSL Cup |
| Current champions | Reading (1 Title) (2015) |
| Most championships | Reading, Sunderland (1 Title) |
| TV partners | BT Sport |
 2016 |
|
The Football Association Women's Super League 2 (FA WSL 2) is the second-highest division of women's football in England and was founded in 2014 and 10 teams compete in it. The WSL 2 is played in summer between April and October. As of 2015 there is no relegation from the WSL 2 to the FA Women's Premier League in place. One teams however is promoted to the WSL 1 per season.
History
For the 2014 season the WSL was expanded to create a second division with 9 new teams added and one team being relegated from the WSL 1. WSL 1 remains as 8 teams, with one new team inserted, with the WSL 2 having 10 teams.[1][2][3][4] The new WSL 1 licence was awarded to Manchester City. Doncaster Rovers Belles were relegated to the WSL 2, with nine new licences awarded to: London Bees; Durham; Aston Villa; Millwall Lionesses; Yeovil Town; Reading; Sunderland; Watford; and Oxford United.[5] Doncaster Belles appealed against their demotion, but were unsuccessful.[6]
In December 2014, the FA WSL announced a two-year plan to expand WSL 1 from an eight to 10-team league. Two teams will be promoted from WSL 2, while one team will be relegated to WSL 2.[7][8] Also, for the first time, a team from the FA Women's Premier League earned promotion to WSL 2, effectively connecting the WSL to the rest of the English women's football pyramid.[9]
This will leave WSL 1 with nine teams and WSL 2 with 10 teams for the 2016 season, and with the process repeated the following year, both WSL 1 and WSL 2 will have 10 teams each for the 2017 season.[7] In addition to being able to prove their financial solvency, clubs applying for entry to the WSL must show they will attract an average of 350 spectators in 2016, increasing to at least 400 in 2017.[10]
Clubs
| 2016 WSL 2 clubs | |||||||||
| Club | Established | City | Stadium | Capacity* | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aston Villa | 1973 | Sutton Coldfield | Central Ground | 2,000 | |||||
| Bristol City | 1998 | Filton | Stoke Gifford Stadium | 1,500 | |||||
| Durham | 2013 | Durham | New Ferens Park | 3,000 | |||||
| Everton | 1983 | Widnes | Halton Stadium | 13,350 | |||||
| London Bees | 1975 | Barnet | The Hive | 5,000 | |||||
| Millwall Lionesses | 1972 | Millwall | The Den | 20,000 | |||||
| Oxford United | 2005 | Oxford | The Armadilo Stadium | 2,000 | |||||
| Sheffield | 2003 | Dronfield | Coaches and Horses | 2,000 | |||||
| Watford | 1970 | Berkhamsted | Broadwater Stadium | 2,000 | |||||
| Yeovil Town | 1990 | Sherborne | Huish Park | 9,565 | |||||
Ten teams were being awarded WSL 2 licences in 2014.[5] The WSL 2 is expanding one club in 2016 and 2017, which will be promoted from the FA Women's Premier League provided they meet licensing requirements.[11]
Winners
| Year | Winner | Runners-up | Third | Top Scorers | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Sunderland | Doncaster Rovers Belles | Reading | Fran Kirby (Reading) | 24 |
| 2015 | Reading | Doncaster Rovers Belles | Everton | Courtney Sweetman-Kirk (Doncaster Rovers Belles) | 20 |
Attendances
In the 2014 season there were 251 fans at a WSL 2 match on average. In 2015 it increased to 341 with thirteen matches reaching attendances of more than 500 spectators.[12]
References
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