2015 FA WSL explained

Season:	2015
Nextseason:	2016

The 2015 season of the Women's Super League was the fifth season of the FA WSL, the top-level women's football league of England. The season was played from 25 March to 4 October.^[1]

Liverpool were the defending champions from the 2014 FA WSL. Chelsea became the title winners and together with Manchester City (who finished as runners-up) qualified for the 2016–17 UEFA Women's Champions League.

This was the second season since the WSL 2 was introduced. As part of a two-year expansion plan, the WSL 1 will increase to nine teams for the 2016 season. By the end of the 2015 season two teams (Reading and Doncaster Rovers Belles) were promoted from WSL 2 to WSL 1 and only one team (Bristol Academy) relegated to WSL 2, with one team being promoted from Premier League to WSL 2.

Background

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.^{[2] [3]} 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.^[4]

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.

Teams

WSL 1

Team	Location	Ground	Capacity	data-sort-type=number	2014 WSL 1 finish
			4,502 (1,400 seated)	4th
			3,050 (280 seated)	3rd
			1,500	7th
			3,009 (300 seated and 800 covered)	2nd
			7,000 (5,000 seated)	5th
			13,350	1st
			20,229	6th
			2,500	1st (WSL 2)

WSL 2

Team	Location	Ground	Capacity	data-sort-type=number	2014 WSL 2 finish
		Central Ground, Coles Lane	2,000	4th
			15,231	2nd
			3,000	6th
			13,350	8th (WSL 1)
			5,176 (3,434 seated)	10th
			20,146	8th
		The Armadillo Stadium	2,000	9th
			7,000	3rd
		Broadwater	2,000	7th
		Raleigh Grove	1,500	5th

FA WSL 1 Transfers

Arrivals

Arsenal
Player	Position	From	Ref.
	FW		^[5]
	FW		^[6]
	DF		^[7]
	MF		^[8]
	FW		^[9]
	MF		^[10]
	DF		^[11]
	GK

Birmingham City
Player	Position	From	Ref.
	MF		^[12]
	FW		^[13]

Bristol Academy
Player	Position	From	Ref.
	MF
	MF		^[14]
	FW
	FW
	DF		^[15]
	MF	unattached	^[16]
	MF		^[17]
	DF		^[18]
	GK		^[19]
	FW
	FW		^[20]
	DF		^[21]
	MF		^[22]

Chelsea
Player	Position	From	Ref.
	MF		^[23]
	MF		^[24]
	DF		^[25]
	GK		^[26]
	FW		^[27]
	FW		^[28] ^[29]

Liverpool
Player	Position	From	Ref.
	DF		^[30]
	DF
	FW
	FW		^[31] ^[32]
	FW		^[33] ^[34]

Manchester City
Player	Position	From	Ref.
	DF		^[35]
	DF		^[36]
	FW	Everton (on loan)	^[37]
	DF		^[38]
	FW		^[39]
Natasha Harding*	FW		^[40]
	MF		^[41]

Notts County
Player	Position	From	Ref.
	FW		^[42]
	DF		^[43]
	DF
	FW
	DF		^[44]
	MF		^[45]
	MF		^[46]
	GK	Arsenal (on loan)	^[47]
	GK

Sunderland
Player	Position	From	Ref.
	GK
	DF		^[48]
	FW		^[49]
	MF		^[50]
	FW	unattached	^[51]
	GK		^[52]

Departures

Arsenal
Player	Position	To	Ref.
	MF	end of contract	^[53]
	DF		^[54]
	FW
Freda Ayisi	FW		^[55]
	FW	unattached	^[56]
	DF
	MF		^[57]
	GK	Notts County (on loan)	^[58]

Bristol Academy
Player	Position	To	Ref.
	DF		^[60]
	FW		^[61]
	DF
	MF
Natasha Harding*	FW		^[62]
	FW		^[63] ^[64]
	MF		^[65]
	MF
	GK
	FW		^[66]

Chelsea
Player	Position	To	Ref.
	FW		^[67]
	FW
	DF
	MF		^[68]
	FW	Millwall Lionesses (on loan)	^[69]
	MF		^[70] ^[71]

Liverpool
Player	Position	To	Ref.
	MF		^[72]
	DF		^[73]
	DF		^[74]
	DF		^[75]
	MF
	DF
	MF		^[76] ^[77]

Manchester City
Player	Position	To	Ref.
	FW		^[78]
	DF
	FW		^[79]

Notts County
Player	Position	To	Ref.
	DF
	DF		^[80]
	MF	Doncaster Rovers Belles (on loan)	^[81]
	MF		^[82]

Sunderland
Player	Position	To	Ref.
	GK		^[83]
Natalie Gutteridge	FW		^[84]

• Natasha Harding was supposed to join American team Washington Spirit, as she was denied a visa, she joined Manchester City instead.

WSL 1

Competition:	FA WSL 1
Season:	2015
Winners:	Chelsea (1st WSL title)
Relegated:	Bristol Academy
Continentalcup:	Champions League
Continentalcup Qualifiers:	Chelsea Manchester City
League Topscorer:	Beth Mead (12 goals)^[85]
Biggest Home Win:	^[86] (27 September 2015)
Biggest Away Win:	(2 April 2015) (27 September 2015)
Highest Scoring:	(25 April 2015) (27 September 2015)
Matches:	56
Total Goals:	154
Longest Wins:	5 matches Chelsea
Longest Unbeaten:	10 matches Manchester City
Longest Winless:	9 matches Bristol Academy
Longest Losses:	4 matches Bristol Academy Liverpool
Attendance:	57,253^[87]
Highest Attendance:	3,180^[88] (4 October 2015)
Average Attendance:	1,022
Prevseason:	2014
Nextseason:	2016
Updated:	5 October 2015

Sunderland earned promotion last season after they won WSL 2 and met off-field licensing requirements. Everton were relegated.

Table

Top goalscorers

^[89]

Rank	Player	Team	Goals
1	Beth Mead	Sunderland	12
2	Jess Clarke	Notts County	7
	Natalia Pablos	Arsenal
4	Eniola Aluko	Chelsea	6
	Isobel Christiansen	Manchester City
	Gemma Davison	Chelsea
	Toni Duggan	Manchester City
	Chioma Ubogagu	Arsenal
	Rachel Williams	Notts County
10	Karen Carney	Birmingham City	5
	Ji So-yun	Chelsea

WSL 2

Competition:	FA WSL 2
Season:	2015
Winners:	Reading
League Topscorer:	Courtney Sweetman-Kirk (20 goals)^[90]
Biggest Home Win:	^[91] (22 August 2015)
Biggest Away Win:	(29 March 2015)
Highest Scoring:	(26 July 2015) (22 August 2015) (4 October 2015) (18 October 2015)
Matches:	90
Total Goals:	324
Longest Wins:	6 matches Doncaster Rovers Belles
Longest Unbeaten:	14 matches Reading
Longest Winless:	12 matches Watford
Longest Losses:	11 matches Watford
Prevseason:	2014
Nextseason:	2016
Updated:	19 October 2015

Everton were relegated from WSL 1 last season.

Table

Top goalscorers

^[92]

Rank	Player	Team	Goals
1	Courtney Sweetman-Kirk	Doncaster Rovers Belles	20
2	Bethany England	Doncaster Rovers Belles	13
3	Emma Follis	Reading	12
4	Fran Kirby	Reading	11
	Sue Smith	Doncaster Rovers Belles
6	Helen Ward	Reading	8
7	Lauren Bruton	Reading	7
	Kayleigh Hines	Oxford United
	Danielle Turner	Everton
	Katie Wilkinson	Aston Villa
	Corinne Yorston	Yeovil Town

WSL Cup

All WSL 1 and WSL 2 teams take part. In addition to last season a quarter-final stage was added to the knock-out stage. The first match was played on 21 July 2015, after the WSL break for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.^[93]

Group 1

------------

Group 2

Group 3

Knock-out stage

Quarter-finals

Reading are the only WSL 2 team to progress from the group stages.^[94] The quarter-finals were drawn on 1 September 2015.

Final

Top goalscorers

^[95]

Rank	Player	Team	Goals
1	Natasha Dowie	Liverpool	9
2	Jess Clarke	Notts County	6
	Ellen White	Notts County
4	Jade Boho	Bristol Academy	5
	Courtney Sweetman-Kirk	Doncaster Rovers Belles
6	Rosella Ayane	Chelsea	4
	Fliss Gibbons	Millwall Lionesses
	Kirsty Linnett	Birmingham City
	Jo Potter	Birmingham City
	Helen Ward	Reading
	Rachel Williams	Notts County

External links

• Official website
• WSL Season at soccerway.com
• WSL 2 Season at soccerway.com
• League Cup at soccerway.com

Notes and References

1. Web site: WSL with BT Sport: 2015 fixtures – Women's . The FA . 2015-01-26 . 2015-02-20.
2. Web site: FA WSL 2 promotion announcement. Faws1.com. 18 December 2014.
3. News: BBC Sport – Women's Super League to be expanded from 2015. BBC Sport. 18 December 2014.
4. Web site: Sheffield FC beat Portsmouth in Women's Premier League play-off . BBC . 24 May 2015 . 29 July 2015.
5. News: BBC Sport – Lianne Sanderson: Arsenal Ladies re-sign England forward. BBC Sport. 18 December 2014.
6. Web site: Natalia Pablos Sanchon signs. Arsenalladies.com. 18 December 2014. 18 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141218183633/http://www.arsenalladies.com/news/natalia_pablos_sanchon_signs.html. dead.
7. Web site: Jemma Rose signs for club. Arsenalladies.com. 18 December 2014. 18 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141218183723/http://www.arsenalladies.com/news/jemma_rose_signs_for_club.html. dead.
8. Web site: Vicky Losada signs for Arsenal Ladies. Arsenalladies.com. 22 January 2015. 25 July 2015.
9. Web site: Arsenal Ladies sign Chioma Ubogagu. Arsenalladies.com. 12 February 2015. 25 July 2015.
10. Web site: Arsenal Ladies sign Marta Corredera. Arsenalladies.com. 8 July 2015. 25 July 2015.
11. Web site: Arsenal Ladies has completed the signing of Dutch duo Dominique Janssen and Sari Van Veenendaal. Arsenalladies.com. 10 July 2015. 25 July 2015.
12. Web site: BBC Sport – Alex Windell: Birmingham Ladies sign Bristol Academy midfielder . Bbc.co.uk . 2015-01-16 . 2015-02-20.
13. Web site: Birmingham sign Freda Ayisi. BirminghamCityLadies.com. 13 February 2015. 25 July 2015. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304104000/http://www.birminghamcityladiesfc.co.uk/news/bclfc_sign_freda_ayisi.html. dead.
14. Web site: BBC Sport – Bristol Academy add three Wales internationals for 2015 . Bbc.co.uk . 2015-01-21 . 2015-02-20.
15. Web site: Bristol Academy sign Lauren Townsend from Cardiff City . BBC.com . 3 February 2015 . 25 July 2015.
16. Web site: Christie Murray: Bristol Academy sign Scotland midfielder . BBC.com . 13 February 2015 . 25 July 2015.
17. Web site: Scotland International joins the Vixens. Bristol Academy. 9 July 2015. 25 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150714043924/http://www.bristolacademywfc.co.uk/news/scotland_international_joins_the_vixens.html. 14 July 2015. dead.
18. Web site: Ex-Vixen returns to Bristol after USA Scholarship. Bristol Academy. 9 July 2015. 25 July 2015.
19. Web site: Young duo excited for Bristol Academy future. Bristol Academy. 9 July 2015. 25 July 2015. 12 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150712013342/http://www.bristolacademywfc.co.uk/news/young_duo_excited_for_bristol_academy_future.html. dead.
20. Web site: Super striker signs deal. Bristol Academy. 9 July 2015. 25 July 2015.
21. Web site: Dutch Defender and International Brummel added to Kirk's Squad. Bristol Academy. 9 July 2015. 25 July 2015.
22. Web site: Portuguese Pinto excited for Vixens debut. Bristol Academy. 9 July 2015. 25 July 2015.
23. News: BBC Sport – Chelsea Ladies: Gemma Davison joins from Liverpool. BBC Sport. 18 December 2014.
24. Web site: Ladies Make New Signing. Chelsea.faws1.com. 18 December 2014. 18 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141218182049/http://chelsea.fawsl.com/news/ladies_make_new_signing.html. dead.
25. Web site: BBC Sport – Niamh Fahey: Chelsea Ladies sign Arsenal defender . Bbc.co.uk . 2014-12-19 . 2015-02-20.
26. Web site: New Goalkeeper Added To Squad . Chelsea.fawsl.com . 2014-12-23 . 2015-02-20 . 2014-12-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141224000207/http://chelsea.fawsl.com/news/new_goalkeeper_added_to_squad.html . dead .
27. Web site: BBC Sport – Marija Banusic: Chelsea Ladies sign Sweden international forward . Bbc.co.uk . 2015-01-05 . 2015-02-20.
28. Web site: BBC Sport – Fran Kirby: Chelsea Ladies sign England striker from Reading . Bbc.co.uk . 8 July 2015 . 25 July 2015.
29. Web site: Chelsea Ladies Complete Kirby Signing . ChelseaLadiesFC . 8 July 2015 . 25 July 2015.
30. Web site: BBC Sport – Liverpool Ladies make three signings ahead of new season . Bbc.co.uk . 2015-01-07 . 2015-02-20.
31. Web site: Ladies sign Africa's Player of the Year . LiverpoolFC . 23 January 2015 . 25 July 2015.
32. Web site: BBC Sport – Asisat Oshoala: Liverpool Ladies sign Nigerian prospect . Bbc.co.uk . 23 January 2015 . 25 July 2015.
33. Web site: Ladies sign New Zealand striker . LiverpoolFC . 9 July 2015 . 25 July 2015.
34. Web site: BBC Sport – Liverpool Ladies sign New Zealand striker Rosie White . Bbc.co.uk . 9 July 2015 . 25 July 2015.
35. News: BBC Sport – Lucy Bronze: Liverpool Ladies defender joins Man City Women. BBC Sport. 18 December 2014.
36. Web site: BBC Sport – Man City Women sign Jennifer Beattie from Montpellier . Bbc.co.uk . 2014-12-23 . 2015-02-20.
37. Web site: BBC Sport – Nikita Parris: Man City Women sign Everton Ladies striker. BBC Sport. 14 January 2015. 18 December 2014.
38. Web site: BBC Sport – Demi Stokes joins Manchester City Women on three-year deal . Bbc.co.uk . 2015-01-02 . 2015-02-20.
39. Web site: BBC Sport – Manchester City Women sign striker Sarah Wiltshire from Yeovil . Bbc.co.uk . 2015-01-05 . 2015-02-20.
40. Web site: BBC Sport – Natasha Harding: Manchester City Women sign Wales forward . Bbc.co.uk . 14 March 2015 . 25 July 2015.
41. Web site: MCWFC sign Daphne Corboz . MCWFC . 7 July 2015 . 25 July 2015 . 4 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111612/http://manchestercity.fawsl.com/news/mcwfc_sign_daphne_corboz.html . dead .
42. Web site: BBC Sport – Rachel Williams: Chelsea Ladies forward joins Notts County . Bbc.co.uk . 2015-01-05 . 2015-02-20.
43. Web site: BBC Sport – Notts County Ladies: Laura Bassett & Alex Greenwood join . Bbc.co.uk . 2015-01-06 . 2015-02-20.
44. Web site: Notts County Ladies sign defender Fern Whelan. NottinghamPost.com. 17 January 2015. 27 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150117085320/http://www.nottinghampost.com/Notts-County-Ladies-sign-defender-Fern-Whelan/story-25880881-detail/story.html. 17 January 2015. dead. dmy-all.
45. Web site: Buet Signs for County. NottsCountyLadies.com. 27 January 2015. 27 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042110/http://www.nclfc.co.uk/news/signing_buet_signs_for_county.html. 4 March 2016. dead. dmy-all.
46. Web site: Leanne Crichton: Notts County Ladies sign Scotland midfielder. Bbc.com. 30 January 2015. 27 July 2015.
47. Web site: Notts Capture England Keeper on Loan. NottsCountyLadies.com. 9 July 2015. 25 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150722094435/http://www.nclfc.co.uk/news/notts_capture_england_keeper_on_loan.html. 2015-07-22. dead.
48. Web site: Victoria Williams signs for SAFC. Sunderland AFC Ladies. 17 February 2015. 27 July 2015. 26 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150626052434/http://sunderland.fawsl.com/news/victoria_williams_signs_for_safc.html. dead.
49. Web site: Mulvey checks in . Sunderland AFC. 23 February 2015. 27 July 2015.
50. Web site: SAFC Ladies sign Chaplen . Sunderland AFC. 23 March 2015. 27 July 2015.
51. Web site: Roche signs for Sunderland. Sunderland AFC Ladies. 17 June 2015. 27 July 2015. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103542/http://sunderland.fawsl.com/news/roche_signs_for_sunderland.html. dead.
52. Web site: Olsen signs for Sunderland. Sunderland AFC Ladies. 7 July 2015. 27 July 2015. 10 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150810080212/http://sunderland.fawsl.com/news/olsen_signs_for_sunderland.html?. dead.
53. Web site: Christie Murray leaves Arsenal Ladies . Arsenal.com . 15 January 2015 . 25 July 2015.
54. Web site: Kinga and Ohno return to INAC Kobe | News Archive | News . Arsenal.com . 2015-01-08 . 2015-02-20.
55. Web site: Freda Ayisi joins Birmingham City . Arsenalladies.com. 16 February 2015. 25 July 2015.
56. Web site: BBC Sport – Lianne Sanderson: England striker leaves Arsenal Ladies. 10 July 2015. BBC Sport. 25 July 2015.
57. Web site: Caroline Weir joins Bristol Academy. Arsenalladies.com. 9 July 2015. 25 July 2015.
58. Web site: Chamberlain joins Notts County on loan. Arsenalladies.com. 9 July 2015. 25 July 2015.
59. Web site: Stringer departs Blues. BirminghamCityLadies. 8 June 2015. 25 July 2015. 11 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150811042156/http://www.birminghamcityladiesfc.co.uk/news/stringer_departs_blues.html. dead.
60. Web site: BBC Sport – Corinne Yorston: Bristol Academy captain joins Yeovil . Bbc.co.uk . 2015-01-16 . 2015-02-20.
61. Web site: NATALIA SIGNS FOR ARSENAL. Bristolacademywfc.com. 18 December 2014. 18 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141218182217/http://www.bristolacademywfc.co.uk/news/natalia_signs_for_arsenal.html. dead.
62. News: BBC Sport – Natasha Harding leaves Bristol Academy for Washington Spirit. BBC Sport. 18 December 2014.
63. Web site: BBC Sport – Laura Del Rio: Bristol Academy confirm forward's exit . Bbc.co.uk . 2015-01-02 . 2015-02-20.
64. Web site: Washington Spirit sign forward Laura del Rio . Washington Spirit. 12 March 2015. 25 July 2015.
65. Web site: Trio move on to pastures new. BristolAcademy. 8 July 2015. 25 July 2015. 23 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923194617/http://www.bristolacademywfc.co.uk/news/trio_move_on_to_pastures_new.html. dead.
66. Web site: Watts joins Royals from Bristol Academy . ReadingFCWomen. 9 July 2015. 25 July 2015.
67. Web site: Ogimi excited about Wolfsburg prospects . UEFA.com . 4 January 2015. 25 July 2015.
68. Web site: Danielle Buet joins Notts Ladies after leaving Chelsea . Bbc.com . 27 January 2015. 27 July 2015.
69. Web site: Millwall sign Chelsea striker. MillwallLionesses. 26 March 2015. 25 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304121623/http://millwall.fawsl.com/news/millwall_sign_chelsea_striker.html. 4 March 2016. dead.
70. Web site: Groenen Moves On. ChelseaLadiesFC. 2 June 2015. 25 July 2015. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093407/http://www.chelsealadiesfc.com/news/groenen_moves_on.html. dead.
71. Web site: Jackie Groenen: Chelsea Ladies midfielder joins Frankfurt . BBC.com. 2 June 2015. 25 July 2015.
72. Web site: Spirit sign midfielder Amanda DaCosta . WashingtonSpirit . 23 October 2014 . 25 July 2015.
73. Web site: Pedersen leaves Liverpool Ladies . LiverpoolLadiesFC . 5 January 2015 . 25 July 2015.
74. Web site: Alexander joins Merseyside rivals . LiverpoolLadiesFC . 14 January 2015 . 25 July 2015.
75. Web site: FA WSL: Liverpool defender Ellie Stewart crosses the divide again to rejoin Everton | Football News . Sky Sports . 2015-02-20.
76. Web site: German winger Rolser to leave Reds and join FC Bayern . LiverpoolLadiesFC . 2 July 2015 . 25 July 2015 . 21 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150721015543/http://ladies.liverpoolfc.com/news/german_winger_rolser_to_leave_reds_and_join_fc_bayern.html . dead .
77. Web site: Nicole Rolser: Liverpool Ladies midfielder joins Bayern Munich . BBC.com. 2 July 2015. 25 July 2015.
78. Web site: Everton Ladies to start life in second tier of Women's Super League at Aston Villa . liverpoolecho . 26 January 2015 . 25 July 2015.
79. Web site: Sarah Wiltshire has rejoined Yeovil Town Ladies from Manchester City . https://web.archive.org/web/20150615081327/http://www.yeoviltownladies.com/news/new_signing.html . usurped . June 15, 2015 . YeovilTownLadiesFC . 12 June 2015 . 25 July 2015.
80. Web site: Reign FC sign Scottish International Rachel Corsie . National Women's Soccer League . 19 January 2015 . 27 July 2015.
81. Web site: Roberts joins on loan from Notts . Doncaster Rovers Belles . 26 January 2015 . 27 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402123305/http://www.doncasterroversbelles.co.uk/news/roberts_joins_on_loan_from_notts.html . 2 April 2015 . dead .
82. Web site: Football Fern Hoyle joins top Swiss club . 3 News (New Zealand) . 12 February 2015 . 27 July 2015 .
83. Web site: Keeper departs ladies . Sunderland AFC. 11 February 2015. 27 July 2015.
84. Web site: Gutteridge signs for Durham WFC. Sunderland AFC Ladies. 9 July 2015. 27 July 2015.
85. News: Player Stats . FA WSL . 5 October 2015.
86. News: Fixtures and Results . FA WSL . 5 October 2015.
87. Web site: Fixtures & Results . Soccerway . 5 October 2015.
88. Web site: City 2 Notts County 1 . mcfc.co.uk . 4 October 2015 . 20 December 2015 . 10 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151210040739/http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Match-reports/2015/October/Manchester-City-Women-v-Notts-County-Ladies-FA-WSL-match-report . dead .
89. Web site: 2015 goal scorers. FA WSL.
90. News: Player Stats . FA WSL . 5 October 2015.
91. News: Fixtures and Results . FA WSL . 5 October 2015.
92. Web site: 2015 goal scorers. FA WSL.
93. Web site: She Kicks - News Section: FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup Fixtures Out . 2015-03-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150724034436/http://shekicks.net/news/view/11352 . 2015-07-24 . dead .
94. Web site: Women's Leagues and Competitions - FA WSL, Women's Championship, Women's FA Cup . Fawsl.com . 2022-08-08.
95. Web site: 2015 goal scorers. FA WSL.