2015–16 FA Women's Premier League
The 2015–16 season of the FA Women's Premier League is the 24th season of the competition, which began in 1992. Formerly the top flight of women's football in England, this season it sits at the third and fourth levels of the women's football pyramid, below the two divisions of the FA Women's Super League and above the eight regional football leagues.[1]
The league features six regional divisions: the Northern and Southern divisions at level three of the pyramid, and below those Northern Division 1, Midlands Division 1, South East Division 1, and South West Division 1.[1] 72 teams were members of the league at the beginning of the 2015–16 season, divided equally into six divisions of twelve teams.[2] At the end of the season the champions of the Northern and Southern divisions will both qualify for a playoff match against each other which will decide the overall league champion, who subject to meeting league requirements will be promoted to FA WSL 2.[3]
Premier Division
[edit]Northern Division
[edit]Changes from last season:
- League champions Sheffield were promoted to FA WSL 2.
- Wolverhampton Wanderers were relegated to Midlands Division One.
- Loughborough Foxes and Guiseley Vixens were promoted into the Northern Division from Midlands Division One and Northern Division One respectively.
- Copsewood (Coventry) relocated into the Northern Division from the Southern and were renamed Nuneaton Town.[4]
- Coventry United moved in the opposite direction, relocating from the North to the Southern Division.
Team | Home ground | 2014–15 position |
---|---|---|
Blackburn Rovers | Anchor Ground, Darwen | 3rd |
Bradford City | Plumpton Park, Bradford | 4th |
Derby County | Anderson Electrical Arena, Derby | 6th |
Guiseley Vixens | Nethermoor Park, Guiseley | 1st in Northern Division One (promoted) |
Huddersfield Town | Storthes Hall Park, Kirkburton | 5th |
Loughborough Foxes | Loughborough University Stadium, Loughborough | 1st in Midlands Division One (promoted) |
Newcastle United | Sport Northumbria, Newcastle upon Tyne | 11th |
Nottingham Forest | Greenwich Avenue, Nottingham | 9th |
Nuneaton Town | Liberty Way, Nuneaton | 8th in Southern Division (swapped divisions with Coventry United) |
Preston North End | Sir Tom Finney Stadium, Bamber Bridge | 8th |
Sporting Club Albion | The Grove, Halesowen | 10th |
Stoke City | Wellbeing Park, Stone | 7th |
League table
[edit]Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sporting Club Albion | 22 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 55 | 22 | +33 | 53 | Playoff with Southern Division champion |
2 | Preston North End | 22 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 71 | 20 | +51 | 49 | |
3 | Blackburn Rovers | 22 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 39 | 20 | +19 | 46 | |
4 | Stoke City | 22 | 14 | 2 | 6 | 59 | 28 | +31 | 44 | |
5 | Bradford City | 22 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 48 | 31 | +17 | 38 | |
6 | Nottingham Forest | 22 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 37 | 27 | +10 | 37 | |
7 | Derby County | 22 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 37 | 47 | −10 | 28 | |
8 | Huddersfield Town | 22 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 47 | 56 | −9 | 25 | |
9 | Newcastle United | 22 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 33 | 57 | −24 | 22 | |
10 | Nuneaton Town | 22 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 26 | 67 | −41 | 14 | |
11 | Guiseley Vixens (R) | 22 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 26 | 71 | −45 | 13 | Relegation to FA Women's Premier League Division One regions |
12 | Loughborough Foxes (R) | 22 | 3 | 2 | 17 | 26 | 58 | −32 | 11 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(R) Relegated
Results
[edit]Southern Division
[edit]Changes from last season:
- Gillingham and Keynsham Town were relegated to South East and South West Division One respectively.
- Forest Green Rovers and C & K Basildon were promoted from South West and South East Division One.
- Coventry United relocated into the Southern Division from the Northern Division.
- Copsewood (Coventry) renamed themselves Nuneaton Town and relocated to the Northern Division.[4]
Team | Home ground | 2014–15 position |
---|---|---|
Brighton & Hove Albion | Culver Road, Lancing | 2nd |
C & K Basildon | The Prospect Stadium, Canvey Island | 1st South East Division One (promoted) |
Cardiff City | CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach | 4th |
Charlton Athletic | Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London | 3rd |
Coventry United | The Oval Ground, Bedworth | 2nd in Northern Division (swapped divisions with Nuneaton Town) |
Forest Green Rovers | Wisloe Road, Cambridge, Gloucestershire | 1st in South West Division One (promoted) |
Lewes | The Dripping Pan, Lewes | 7th |
Plymouth Argyle | Haye Road, Plymouth | 10th |
Portsmouth | Privett Park, Gosport | 1st |
Queens Park Rangers | Honeycroft, West Drayton, London | 9th |
Tottenham Hotspur | Cheshunt Stadium, Cheshunt | 5th |
West Ham United | Hornchurch Stadium, Upminster, London | 6th |
League table
[edit]Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Brighton & Hove Albion (O, P) | 22 | 17 | 3 | 2 | 58 | 18 | +40 | 54 | Playoff with Northern Division champion |
2 | Charlton Athletic | 22 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 68 | 20 | +48 | 52 | |
3 | Cardiff City | 22 | 15 | 2 | 5 | 66 | 27 | +39 | 47 | |
4 | Coventry United | 22 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 64 | 18 | +46 | 44 | |
5 | Portsmouth | 22 | 14 | 2 | 6 | 61 | 27 | +34 | 44 | |
6 | Tottenham Hotspur | 22 | 11 | 1 | 10 | 34 | 30 | +4 | 34 | |
7 | Lewes | 22 | 8 | 1 | 13 | 30 | 42 | −12 | 25 | |
8 | C & K Basildon | 22 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 38 | 55 | −17 | 25 | |
9 | Queens Park Rangers | 22 | 6 | 3 | 13 | 25 | 45 | −20 | 21 | |
10 | West Ham United | 22 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 21 | 60 | −39 | 19 | |
11 | Forest Green Rovers | 22 | 2 | 2 | 18 | 19 | 76 | −57 | 8 | |
12 | Plymouth Argyle (R) | 22 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 23 | 89 | −66 | 6 | Relegation to FA Women's Premier League Division One regions |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Results
[edit]Championship play-off
[edit]The overall FA WPL champion was decided by a play-off match held at Wycombe Wanderers' Adams Park stadium on 29 May 2016,[5] which resulted in a 4–2 victory for Southern Division Brighton & Hove Albion over Northern Division Sporting Club Albion.[6] Brighton won promotion to FA WSL 2 a few days after the match, having met The Football Association's licensing requirements for entry to the Women's Super League.[7]
Sporting Club Albion (N) | 2–4 | Brighton & Hove Albion (S) |
---|---|---|
Leigh Dugmore ![]() Karen Clough ![]() |
Report | Kate Natkiel ![]() ![]() Sophie Perry ![]() Amy Taylor ![]() |
Division One
[edit]Northern Division One
[edit]The teams competing this season are:[8]
Team | Home ground | 2014–15 position |
---|---|---|
Blackpool Wren Rovers | Brews Park, Blackpool | |
Chester-le-Street | Moor Park, Chester Moor | 6th |
Chorley | Jim Fowler Memorial Fields, Leyland | 5th |
Hull City | Hamworth Park, Hull | |
Leeds Ladies | Wheatley Park, Garforth | 3rd |
Liverpool Marshall Feds | I.M. Marsh Campus, Liverpool | 2nd |
Middlesbrough | Teesdale Park, Thornaby-on-Tees | 4th |
Morecambe | Lancaster & Morecambe College, Lancaster | 10th |
Mossley Hill | Mossley Hill Athletic Club, Liverpool | 7th |
Norton & Stockton Ancients | Norton Sports Complex, Norton | 11th |
Stockport County | Stockport Sports Village, Woodley | 8th |
Tranmere Rovers | Cross Lane, Wallasey | 9th |
League table
[edit]Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Middlesbrough (C, P) | 22 | 17 | 3 | 2 | 90 | 22 | +68 | 54 | Promotion to Northern Division |
2 | Liverpool Marshall Feds | 22 | 15 | 1 | 6 | 79 | 39 | +40 | 46 | |
3 | Chorley | 22 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 60 | 46 | +14 | 42 | |
4 | Hull City | 22 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 47 | 39 | +8 | 37 | |
5 | Leeds Ladies | 22 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 35 | 41 | −6 | 35 | |
6 | Mossley Hill | 22 | 11 | 1 | 10 | 46 | 37 | +9 | 34 | |
7 | Morecambe | 22 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 50 | 59 | −9 | 29 | |
8 | Blackpool Wren Rovers | 22 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 42 | 68 | −26 | 28 | |
9 | Chester-le-Street | 22 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 39 | 47 | −8 | 27 | |
10 | Tranmere Rovers | 22 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 38 | 52 | −14 | 19 | |
11 | Stockport County[a] (R) | 22 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 46 | 65 | −19 | 16 | Relegated from FA Women's Premier League. |
12 | Norton & Stockton Ancients (R) | 22 | 2 | 2 | 18 | 20 | 77 | −57 | 8 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
Midlands Division One
[edit]Changes from last season:
- Loughborough Foxes were promoted to the Northern Division.[10]
- Wolverhampton Wanderers were relegated from the Northern Division.[11]
- Birmingham & West Midlands Police were promoted from the West Midlands Regional League and changed their name to Birmingham & West Midlands.[12][13]
- Peterborough Northern Star were promoted from the East Midlands Regional League.[13]
- Mansfield Town and Curzon Ashton were relegated to the regional leagues.
The teams competing this season are:[14]
Team | Home ground | 2014–15 position |
---|---|---|
Birmingham & West Midlands | Shenley Lane Community Sports Centre, Birmingham | 1st in West Midlands Regional League (promoted) |
Leafield Athletic | Triplex Sports Club | 3rd |
Leicester City L.F.C. | Linwood Playing Fields, Leicester | 9th |
Leicester City W.F.C. | Riverside Pavilion, Leicester | 2nd |
Loughborough Students | Holywell Park, Loughborough | 5th |
Peterborough Northern Star | Mick George Arena, Peterborough | 1st in East Midlands Regional League (promoted) |
Radcliffe Olympic | Wharf Lane Recreation Ground, Radcliffe-on-Trent | 4th |
Rotherham United | Roundwood Sports Complex, Rotherham | 6th |
Solihull | Field Lane, Solihull | 7th |
Sporting Khalsa | Aspray Arena, Willenhall | 8th |
Steel City Wanderers | Park Road, Worsbrough | 10th |
Wolverhampton Wanderers | Keys Park, Hednesford | 12th in Northern Division (relegated) |
League table
[edit]Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Leicester City W.F.C. (C, P) | 22 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 93 | 19 | +74 | 66 | Promotion to Northern Division |
2 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 22 | 14 | 3 | 5 | 62 | 30 | +32 | 45 | |
3 | Radcliffe Olympic | 22 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 52 | 29 | +23 | 38 | |
4 | Solihull | 22 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 43 | 47 | −4 | 35 | |
5 | Birmingham & West Midlands | 22 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 39 | 42 | −3 | 33 | |
6 | Loughborough Students | 22 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 44 | 54 | −10 | 28 | |
7 | Steel City Wanderers | 22 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 35 | 58 | −23 | 27 | |
8 | Leicester City L.F.C. | 22 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 46 | 55 | −9 | 26 | |
9 | Rotherham United | 22 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 42 | 53 | −11 | 24 | |
10 | Sporting Khalsa | 22 | 6 | 2 | 14 | 27 | 53 | −26 | 20 | |
11 | Peterborough Northern Star (R) | 22 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 37 | 44 | −7 | 19 | Relegated from FA Women's Premier League. |
12 | Leafield Athletic (R) | 22 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 30 | 66 | −36 | 19 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
South East Division One
[edit]Changes from last season:
- Gillingham were relegated from the Southern Division.[15]
- Lowestoft Town and Old Actonians were promoted from the Eastern Region League and the London & South Eastern League respectively.[16][17]
- C&K Basildon were promoted to the Southern Division.[18]
The teams competing this season are:[19]
Team | Home ground | 2014–15 position |
---|---|---|
Bedford | Weston Park, Wootton | 8th |
Cambridge United | Unwin Sports Ground, Ely | 7th |
Crystal Palace | Hayes Lane, Bromley | 3rd |
Denham United | The Middlesex Stadium, Ruislip | 6th |
Enfield Town | Queen Elizabeth II Stadium, Enfield | 5th |
Gillingham | The Sports Ground, Chatham | 11th in Southern Division (relegated) |
Ipswich Town | Humber Doucy Lane, Rushmere, Ipswich | 9th |
Lowestoft Town | Crown Meadow, Lowestoft | 1st in Eastern Region League (promoted) |
Luton Town | Stockwood Park Athletics Stadium, Luton | 4th |
Milton Keynes Dons | Willen Road, Newport Pagnell | 2nd |
Norwich City | Plantation Park, Blofield | 10th |
Old Actonians | Berkeley Fields, Greenford, London | 1st in London & South Eastern League (promoted) |
League table
[edit]Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Crystal Palace (C, P) | 22 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 90 | 17 | +73 | 62 | Promotion to Southern Division |
2 | Gillingham | 22 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 84 | 20 | +64 | 51 | |
3 | Milton Keynes Dons | 22 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 63 | 26 | +37 | 44 | |
4 | Luton Town | 22 | 12 | 4 | 6 | 45 | 32 | +13 | 40 | |
5 | Ipswich Town | 22 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 52 | 44 | +8 | 36 | |
6 | Cambridge United | 22 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 54 | 24 | +30 | 35 | |
7 | Enfield Town | 22 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 34 | 29 | +5 | 26 | |
8 | Norwich City | 22 | 8 | 2 | 12 | 43 | 53 | −10 | 26 | |
9 | Denham United | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 26 | 35 | −9 | 23 | |
10 | Old Actonians | 22 | 5 | 2 | 15 | 25 | 63 | −38 | 17 | |
11 | Lowestoft Town | 22 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 17 | 97 | −80 | 9 | |
12 | Bedford (R) | 22 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 16 | 109 | −93 | 7 | Relegated from FA Women's Premier League. |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
South West Division One
[edit]Changes from last season:
- Forest Green Rovers were promoted to the Southern Division.
- Keynsham Town were relegated from the Southern Division.
- Maidenhead United were promoted from the Southern Region League.[20]
- Gloucester City and Swindon Spitfires were promoted from the South West Region League.[21][22]
The teams competing this season are:[23]
Team | Home ground | 2014–15 position |
---|---|---|
Cheltenham Town | Petersfield Park, Cheltenham | 8th |
Chichester City | Oaklands Park, Chichester | 7th |
Exeter City | Minster Park, Exminster | 2nd |
Gloucester City[note] | Fairmile Gardens, Longford | 1st in South West Region League (promoted) |
Keynsham Town | Crown Field, Keynsham | 12th in Southern Division (relegated) |
Larkhall Athletic | Plain Ham, Larkhall | 5th |
Maidenhead United | York Road, Maidenhead | 1st in Southern Region League (promoted) |
Shanklin | County Ground, Shanklin | 6th |
Southampton Saints | Silverlake Arena, Sholing | 4th |
St Nicholas | Lodge Road, Yate | 9th |
Swindon Spitfires[note] | The Elms, Highworth | 2nd in South West Region League (promoted) |
Swindon Town | Barrington Park, Shrivenham | 3rd |
^note Gloucester City and Swindon Spitfires both withdrew from the league during the season. All results involving them were expunged.[24][25]
League table
[edit]Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Swindon Town (C, P) | 18 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 49 | 12 | +37 | 47 | Promotion to Southern Division |
2 | Chichester City | 18 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 44 | 8 | +36 | 44 | |
3 | Keynsham Town | 18 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 45 | 19 | +26 | 39 | |
4 | Larkhall Athletic | 18 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 43 | 23 | +20 | 36 | |
5 | Exeter City | 18 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 36 | 37 | −1 | 25 | |
6 | Southampton Saints | 18 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 29 | 35 | −6 | 23 | |
7 | Maidenhead United | 18 | 7 | 1 | 10 | 28 | 37 | −9 | 22 | |
8 | Cheltenham Town | 18 | 4 | 0 | 14 | 17 | 49 | −32 | 12 | |
9 | Shanklin | 18 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 16 | 54 | −38 | 9 | |
10 | St Nicholas | 18 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 19 | 52 | −33 | 6 | |
11 | Gloucester City (X) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Resigned from league. Record expunged. |
12 | Swindon Spitfires (X) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (X) Resigned
Results
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "About the FA WPL". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 29 November 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
- ^ "Premier League constitution". Women's Soccer Scene. 22 June 2015. Archived from the original on 16 February 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
- ^ "The FA Women's Premier League Handbook season 2015–16" (PDF). 22 December 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
- ^ a b "Ryan excited at Nuneaton move". Women's Soccer Scene. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
- ^ "FA WPL Finals Venues Announced". She Kicks. 8 March 2016. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
- ^ "Women's Premier League: Brighton beat Sporting Club Albion in play-off". BBC Sport. 29 May 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
- ^ "Brighton & Hove Albion Women promotion to Women's Super League approved". BBC Sport. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
- ^ "FA Women's Premier League Northern Division One". The Football Association. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
- ^ "Premier League Midweek Round-Up". She Kicks. 5 May 2016. Archived from the original on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ^ Richard Rush (19 July 2015). "Loughborough Foxes relishing new challenge". Loughborough Echo. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
- ^ "Latest From Wolves Women". Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club. 27 April 2015. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
- ^ "New Name, New Beginnings!". Birmingham & West Midlands Ladies Football Club. 24 June 2015. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
- ^ a b "Regional Leagues round-up". Women's Soccer Scene. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
- ^ "FA Women's Premier League Midlands Division One". Full Time. The Football Association. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
- ^ "Gillingham Ladies part company with Simon Ratcliffe following relegation". Kentish Football. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
- ^ "Regional Leagues round-up". Women's Soccer Scene. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
- ^ "Carshalton pay for administrative error with their Premier League place". Sent Her Forward. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
- ^ Matthew Critchell (19 June 2015). "The man behind the ladies at C&K Basildon". Braintree & Witham Times. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
- ^ "FA Women's Premier League South East Division One". The Football Association. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
- ^ "Maidenhead United Ladies confirm promotion to FA Women's Premier League". Maidenhead United Football Club. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ "Gloucester City benefit from team effort". Women's Soccer Scene. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ Matthew Edwards (27 June 2015). "Spitfires are aiming to build on World Cup fervour". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ "FA Women's Premier League South West Division One". The Football Association. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
- ^ "Gloucester City withdraw from league". Women's Soccer Scene. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
- ^ Tom Bassam (19 October 2015). "Spitfires make reluctant withdrawal". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 3 February 2016.