The announcement that the Women’s Super League is to expand to 14 teams is welcome and long overdue. For years there has been a clamour for expansion and it was a matter of time before it happened, but how did we get here?
The transfer of ownership of WSL and WSL2 last summer from the Football Association to WSL Football, in which the clubs are shareholders, prompted an in-depth analysis of the leagues’ future. Every format and variation was on the table and explored, with fans, clubs and other stakeholders consulted.
Meanwhile, WSL Football’s player‑welfare‑centred ethos means an array of principles affect the number of match rounds available in the calendar, including a minimum six-week gap between a major tournament and new season, no midweek games after international windows, no more than two consecutive midweek fixtures, few midweek fixtures during the winter to allow for postponements and maintaining the winter break.
However, further expansion has not been ruled out in the future and this is viewed as the first phase of the development of the leagues under WSL Football.
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It is valid to ask why WSL2 is not expanding. However, given the two extra teams entering the WSL and the knock-on impact of three teams being promoted from the WNL next season, this feels like a reasonable move in the context of the changes being made to minimum standards in the division. With WSL2 becoming fully professional the financial demands on clubs in the division have ramped up.
Blackburn have self-relegated out of the second tier to avoid having to meet the new requirements. Wolves failed to apply for a WSL2 licence despite the club being in a battle for promotion to the end of the season. These clubs have the financial resources to meet the minimum standards, and the onus is on those owners to step up and properly back their women’s team.
There will be hope that the extra incentive of a playoff place for the runners-up and the benefits of WSL football will encourage further investment and commitment, but there will be only so many clubs at this stage willing and ready to make the leap up into WSL2 and professionalism.
Sustainable leagues and the integrity of the pyramid matter and it will be vital for WSL Football to build a strong relationship with the WNL, which is run by the FA, and WNL clubs to ensure that clubs facing promotion to WSL2 are able and willing to reach the minimum standards. That said, WSL2 clubs need more matches and moving towards expansion has to be a priority.
Despite the hiccup around the potential scrapping of promotion and relegation and the fury that caused, WSL Football has settled on an, overall, solid solution to expanding the WSL and raising minimum standards across the top two tiers.
