2015–16 FA Women's Premier League explained

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

Northern Division

Changes from last season:

TeamHome ground2014–15 position
Blackburn RoversAnchor Ground, Darwen3rd
Bradford CityPlumpton Park, Bradford4th
Derby CountyAnderson Electrical Arena, Derby6th
Guiseley VixensNethermoor Park, Guiseley1st in Northern Division One (promoted)
Huddersfield TownStorthes Hall Park, Kirkburton5th
Loughborough FoxesLoughborough University Stadium, Loughborough1st in Midlands Division One (promoted)
Newcastle UnitedSport Northumbria, Newcastle upon Tyne11th
Nottingham ForestGreenwich Avenue, Nottingham9th
Nuneaton TownLiberty Way, Nuneaton8th in Southern Division (swapped divisions with Coventry United)
Preston North EndSir Tom Finney Stadium, Bamber Bridge8th
Sporting Club AlbionThe Grove, Halesowen10th
Stoke CityWellbeing Park, Stone7th

Results

Southern Division

Changes from last season:

TeamHome ground2014–15 position
Brighton & Hove AlbionCulver Road, Lancing2nd
C & K BasildonThe Prospect Stadium, Canvey Island1st South East Division One (promoted)
Cardiff CityCCB Centre for Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach4th
Charlton AthleticBayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London3rd
Coventry UnitedThe Oval Ground, Bedworth2nd in Northern Division (swapped divisions with Nuneaton Town)
Forest Green RoversWisloe Road, Cambridge, Gloucestershire1st in South West Division One (promoted)
LewesThe Dripping Pan, Lewes7th
Plymouth ArgyleHaye Road, Plymouth10th
PortsmouthPrivett Park, Gosport1st
Queens Park RangersHoneycroft, West Drayton, London9th
Tottenham HotspurCheshunt Stadium, Cheshunt5th
West Ham UnitedHornchurch Stadium, Upminster, London6th

Results

Championship play-off

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]

Division One

Northern Division One

The teams competing this season are:[8]

TeamHome ground2014–15 position
Blackpool Wren RoversBrews Park, Blackpool
Chester-le-StreetMoor Park, Chester Moor6th
ChorleyJim Fowler Memorial Fields, Leyland5th
Hull CityHamworth Park, Hull
Leeds LadiesWheatley Park, Garforth3rd
Liverpool Marshall FedsI.M. Marsh Campus, Liverpool2nd
MiddlesbroughTeesdale Park, Thornaby-on-Tees4th
MorecambeLancaster & Morecambe College, Lancaster10th
Mossley HillMossley Hill Athletic Club, Liverpool7th
Norton & Stockton AncientsNorton Sports Complex, Norton11th
Stockport CountyStockport Sports Village, Woodley8th
Tranmere RoversCross Lane, Wallasey9th

League table

Midlands Division One

Changes from last season:

The teams competing this season are:[13]

TeamHome ground2014–15 position
Birmingham & West MidlandsShenley Lane Community Sports Centre, Birmingham1st in West Midlands Regional League (promoted)
Leafield AthleticTriplex Sports Club3rd
Leicester City L.F.C.Linwood Playing Fields, Leicester9th
Leicester City W.F.C.Riverside Pavilion, Leicester2nd
Loughborough StudentsHolywell Park, Loughborough5th
Peterborough Northern StarMick George Arena, Peterborough1st in East Midlands Regional League (promoted)
Radcliffe OlympicWharf Lane Recreation Ground, Radcliffe-on-Trent4th
Rotherham UnitedRoundwood Sports Complex, Rotherham6th
SolihullField Lane, Solihull7th
Sporting KhalsaAspray Arena, Willenhall8th
Steel City WanderersPark Road, Worsbrough10th
Wolverhampton WanderersKeys Park, Hednesford12th in Northern Division (relegated)

League table

South East Division One

Changes from last season:

The teams competing this season are:[18]

TeamHome ground2014–15 position
BedfordWeston Park, Wootton8th
Cambridge UnitedUnwin Sports Ground, Ely7th
Crystal PalaceHayes Lane, Bromley3rd
Denham UnitedThe Middlesex Stadium, Ruislip6th
Enfield TownQueen Elizabeth II Stadium, Enfield5th
GillinghamThe Sports Ground, Chatham11th in Southern Division (relegated)
Ipswich TownHumber Doucy Lane, Rushmere, Ipswich9th
Lowestoft TownCrown Meadow, Lowestoft1st in Eastern Region League (promoted)
Luton TownStockwood Park Athletics Stadium, Luton4th
Milton Keynes DonsWillen Road, Newport Pagnell2nd
Norwich CityPlantation Park, Blofield10th
Old ActoniansBerkeley Fields, Greenford, London1st in London & South Eastern League (promoted)

League table

South West Division One

Changes from last season:

The teams competing this season are:[22]

TeamHome ground2014–15 position
Cheltenham TownPetersfield Park, Cheltenham8th
Chichester CityOaklands Park, Chichester7th
Exeter CityMinster Park, Exminster2nd
Gloucester CityFairmile Gardens, Longford1st in South West Region League (promoted)
Keynsham TownCrown Field, Keynsham12th in Southern Division (relegated)
Larkhall AthleticPlain Ham, Larkhall5th
Maidenhead UnitedYork Road, Maidenhead1st in Southern Region League (promoted)
ShanklinCounty Ground, Shanklin6th
Southampton SaintsSilverlake Arena, Sholing4th
St NicholasLodge Road, Yate9th
Swindon SpitfiresThe Elms, Highworth2nd in South West Region League (promoted)
Swindon TownBarrington Park, Shrivenham3rd
Gloucester City and Swindon Spitfires both withdrew from the league during the season. All results involving them were expunged.[23] [24]

Results

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: About the FA WPL . https://archive.today/20151129104659/http://www.thefa.com/wpl/about-the-fa-wpl . dead . 29 November 2015 . The Football Association . 2 February 2016 .
  2. Web site: Premier League constitution . 22 June 2015 . Women's Soccer Scene . 9 February 2016 . 16 February 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160216045039/http://www.womenssoccerscene.co.uk/womens-football-news-2015-2016/150622-01-womens-football-news.htm . dead .
  3. Web site: The FA Women’s Premier League Handbook season 2015–16 . 22 December 2015 . 2 February 2016 . PDF . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160205212316/http://resources.thefa.com/images/ftimages/data/league872938/15228.pdf . 5 February 2016 .
  4. Web site: Ryan excited at Nuneaton move . Women's Soccer Scene . 16 July 2015 . 3 February 2016.
  5. Web site: FA WPL Finals Venues Announced . 8 March 2016 . She Kicks . 9 March 2016 . 10 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160310094208/http://shekicks.net/news/view/12831 . dead .
  6. News: Women's Premier League: Brighton beat Sporting Club Albion in play-off . 29 May 2016 . BBC Sport . 6 June 2016.
  7. News: Brighton & Hove Albion Women promotion to Women's Super League approved . 2 June 2016 . BBC Sport . 6 June 2016.
  8. Web site: FA Women's Premier League Northern Division One . The Football Association . 3 February 2016.
  9. News: Loughborough Foxes relishing new challenge . 19 July 2015 . Richard Rush . Loughborough Echo . 9 February 2016.
  10. Web site: Latest From Wolves Women . 27 April 2015 . Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club . 9 February 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150905082806/http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/latest-from-wolves-women-2427898.aspx . 5 September 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
  11. Web site: New Name, New Beginnings! . Birmingham & West Midlands Ladies Football Club . 24 June 2015 . 9 February 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160630151921/http://www.wmpladiesfc.co.uk/club/126749/News/view/890910 . 30 June 2016 . dead . dmy-all .
  12. Web site: Regional Leagues round-up . 8 May 2015 . Women's Soccer Scene . 9 February 2016.
  13. Web site: FA Women's Premier League Midlands Division One . Full Time . The Football Association . 3 February 2016.
  14. Web site: Gillingham Ladies part company with Simon Ratcliffe following relegation . Kentish Football . 4 June 2015 . 5 February 2016.
  15. Web site: Regional Leagues round-up . 17 April 2015 . Women's Soccer Scene . 5 February 2015.
  16. Web site: Carshalton pay for administrative error with their Premier League place . 19 June 2015 . Sent Her Forward . 5 February 2016.
  17. News: The man behind the ladies at C&K Basildon . Matthew Critchell . 19 June 2015 . Braintree & Witham Times . 5 February 2016.
  18. Web site: FA Women's Premier League South East Division One . The Football Association . 3 February 2016.
  19. Web site: Maidenhead United Ladies confirm promotion to FA Women's Premier League . Maidenhead United Football Club . 4 February 2016.
  20. Web site: Gloucester City benefit from team effort . 24 April 2015 . Women's Soccer Scene . 4 February 2016.
  21. News: Spitfires are aiming to build on World Cup fervour . Matthew Edwards . Swindon Advertiser . 27 June 2015 . 4 February 2016.
  22. Web site: FA Women's Premier League South West Division One . The Football Association . 3 February 2016.
  23. Web site: Gloucester City withdraw from league . 15 September 2015 . Women's Soccer Scene . 3 February 2016.
  24. News: Spitfires make reluctant withdrawal . Tom Bassam . 19 October 2015 . Swindon Advertiser . 3 February 2016.

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