The 2017–18 FA WSL was the seventh edition of the FA WSL since it was formed in 2010. It was the first season of WSL which ran as a winter league.[1] It started in September 2017 and ended in May 2018, with ten teams competing in both leagues.[1][2][3]
| Season | 2017–18 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Chelsea |
| Champions League | Chelsea Manchester City |
| Matches played | 90 |
| Goals scored | 282 (3.13 per match) |
2018–19 → | |
The Football Association removed promotion and relegation between the two tiers for the end of the season. The league was instead restructured, with clubs required to apply for licenses under new criteria for the top tier in the 2018–19 season.[4]
A one-off competition, the FA WSL Spring Series, ran from February to May 2017 to bridge the gap from the 2016 FA WSL season.[5]
Teams
editWith the collapse of Notts County Ladies just prior to the Spring Series, the ten clubs of WSL2 were invited to apply for a place in the 2017–18 season. Two sides, champions Everton and runners-up Doncaster Rovers, applied. On 9 June 2017, subject to appeal, Everton were awarded the position.[6]
- WSL 1
| Team | Location | Ground | Capacity | 2016 season | Spring Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | Borehamwood | Meadow Park | 4,502 | 3rd | 3rd |
| Birmingham City | Solihull | Damson Park | 3,050 | 5th | 7th |
| Bristol City | Filton | Stoke Gifford Stadium | 1,500 | 2nd, WSL 2 | 8th |
| Chelsea | Kingston upon Thames | Kingsmeadow | 4,850 | 2nd | 1st |
| Everton | Widnes | Select Security Stadium | 13,350 | 3rd, WSL 2 | 1st, WSL2 |
| Liverpool | Widnes | Select Security Stadium | 13,350 | 4th | 4th |
| Manchester City | Manchester | Academy Stadium | 7,000 | 1st | 2nd |
| Reading | High Wycombe | Adams Park | 9,617 | 8th | 6th |
| Sunderland | South Shields | Mariners Park | 3,000 | 7th | 5th |
| Yeovil Town | Yeovil | Huish Park | 9,565 | 1st, WSL 2 | 9th |
- WSL 2
| Team | Location | Ground | Capacity | 2016 season | Spring Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aston Villa | Tamworth | The Lamb Ground | 4,000 | 7th | 4th |
| Brighton & Hove Albion | Lancing | Culver Road | 2,000 | 1st, 2015–16 WPL | 6th |
| Doncaster Rovers Belles | Doncaster | Keepmoat Stadium | 15,231 | 9th, WSL 1 | 2nd |
| Durham | Durham | New Ferens Park | 3,000 | 4th | 5th |
| London Bees | Canons Park | The Hive Stadium | 5,176 | 6th | 7th |
| Millwall Lionesses | Bermondsey | St. Paul's Sports Ground | 2,500 | 8th | 3rd |
| Oxford United | Marston | Court Place Farm | 3,200 | 9th | 10th |
| Sheffield | Dronfield | Coach and Horses | 2,000 | 5th | 9th |
| Tottenham Hotspur | Cheshunt | The Stadium | 3,000 | 1st, 2016–17 WPL | n/a |
| Watford | Kings Langley | Global Metcorp Stadium | 1,000 | 10th | 8th |
WSL 1
edit| Season | 2017–18 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Chelsea |
| Matches played | 90 |
| Goals scored | 282 (3.13 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Ellen White (15 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Liverpool 8–0 Yeovil Town (6 January 2018) |
| Biggest away win | Sunderland 0–6 Chelsea (30 September 2017) |
| Highest scoring | Liverpool 8–0 Yeovil Town (6 January 2018) |
2018–19 → | |
Ten teams competed this season.[1] Following the closure of Notts County Ladies in April 2017, the FA announced that one place in the league would be given to a team which competed in the Spring Series, based on an evaluation by the FA of applicant clubs' business plans, budget, youth development, facilities and on-pitch performance.[3] The place was subsequently given to Everton.[6]
There was no relegation based on results at the end of the season due to the league's restructure.[4]
Table
edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea (C, Q) | 18 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 44 | 13 | +31 | 44 | Qualification for the Champions League |
| 2 | Manchester City (Q) | 18 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 51 | 17 | +34 | 38 | |
| 3 | Arsenal | 18 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 38 | 18 | +20 | 37 | |
| 4 | Reading | 18 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 40 | 18 | +22 | 32 | |
| 5 | Birmingham City | 18 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 30 | 18 | +12 | 30 | |
| 6 | Liverpool | 18 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 30 | 27 | +3 | 28 | |
| 7 | Sunderland (R) | 18 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 15 | 40 | −25 | 16 | Did not apply for a licence, Relegated to the FA Women's National League |
| 8 | Bristol City | 18 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 13 | 47 | −34 | 16 | |
| 9 | Everton | 18 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 19 | 30 | −11 | 14 | |
| 10 | Yeovil Town | 18 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 2 | 54 | −52 | 2 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated; (R) Relegated
Results
editTop goalscorers
edit| Rank | Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ellen White
|
Birmingham City | 15 |
| 2 | Nikita Parris
|
Manchester City | 11 |
| 3 | Beth England
|
Liverpool | 10 |
| 4 | Remi Allen
|
Reading | 9 |
| Isobel Christiansen
|
Manchester City | ||
| 6 | Brooke Chaplen
|
Reading | 8 |
| Fran Kirby
|
Chelsea | ||
| Beth Mead
|
Arsenal |
WSL 2
edit| Season | 2017–18 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Doncaster Rovers Belles |
| Matches played | 90 |
| Goals scored | 325 (3.61 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Jessica Sigsworth (15 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Doncaster Rovers Belles 6–0 Aston Villa (29 October 2017) Tottenham Hotspur 6–0 Watford (22 February 2018) |
| Biggest away win | Watford 0–5 Sheffield (16 May 2018) |
| Highest scoring | Tottenham Hotspur 6–3 Durham (29 April 2018) |
2018–19 → | |
Ten teams competed during this season.[1][3]
There was no promotion or relegation based on results at the end of the season due to the league's restructure.[4]
Table
edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doncaster Rovers Belles (C, R) | 18 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 52 | 15 | +37 | 47 | Obtained then gave up Tier 2 licence, Relegated to the FA Women's National League |
| 2 | Brighton & Hove Albion (P) | 18 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 35 | 26 | +9 | 37 | Awarded a Tier 1 licence |
| 3 | Millwall Lionesses[a] | 18 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 40 | 23 | +17 | 36 | |
| 4 | Durham | 18 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 44 | 26 | +18 | 35 | |
| 5 | Sheffield (R) | 18 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 40 | 31 | +9 | 28 | Obtained then gave up Tier 2 licence, Relegated to the FA Women's National League |
| 6 | London Bees | 18 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 29 | 32 | −3 | 23 | |
| 7 | Tottenham Hotspur | 18 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 32 | 34 | −2 | 22 | |
| 8 | Oxford United (R) | 18 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 24 | 41 | −17 | 12 | Failed to obtain a Tier 2 licence, Relegated to the FA Women's National League |
| 9 | Aston Villa | 18 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 21 | 40 | −19 | 11 | |
| 10 | Watford (R) | 18 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 8 | 57 | −49 | 4 | Failed to obtain a Tier 2 licence, Relegated to the FA Women's National League |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
Results
editTop goalscorers
edit- As of 20 May 2018.[7]
| Rank | Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jessica Sigsworth
|
Doncaster Rovers Belles | 15 |
| 2 | Melissa Johnson
|
Sheffield F.C. Ladies | 12 |
| 3 |  Kirsty Hanson
|
Doncaster Rovers Belles | 11 |
| Beth Hepple
|
Durham W.F.C. | ||
| 5 | Charlie Devlin
|
Millwall Lionesses | 9 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "Women's Super League to switch to winter season in 2017". Archived from the original on 3 July 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
- ^ "FA Women's Super League to move to new calendar in 2017". Archived from the original on 11 October 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
- ^ a b c Garry, Tom. "Women's Super League: WSL 2 clubs invited to apply to replace Notts County Ladies". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 26 November 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ a b c Garry, Tom. "Women's Super League: Restructure can help make league best in world – Katie Brazier". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 5 August 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- ^ "New calendar for FA WSL". Archived from the original on 13 October 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
- ^ a b "Everton have been elected to FA Women's Super League 1". Archived from the original on 24 May 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
- ^ a b "PLAYER STATS". Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- ^ "Top Scorers – Womens Super League – Football". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^ "Club Statement". Millwall Lionesses. The Football Association. 8 November 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017.[permanent dead link]