The 2022–23 FA Women's National League was the 31st season of the competition, and the fifth since a restructure and rebranding of the top four tiers of English football by The Football Association. Starting in 1991, it was previously known as the FA Women's Premier League. It sat at the third and fourth levels of the women's football pyramid, below the Women's Championship and above the eight regional football leagues.[1]
| Season | 2022–23 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Watford |
| Promoted | Watford |
← 2021–22 2023–24 → | |
The league featured six regional divisions: the Northern and Southern Premier divisions at level three of the pyramid, and Division One North, Division One Midlands, Division One South East, and Division One South West at the fourth level. The league consisted of 72 teams, divided into six divisions of 12 each. At the end of the season the winners of the Northern and Southern Premier divisions qualified for a play-off match to decide the overall National League champion which was promoted to the Women's Championship. The bottom two teams from each were relegated to the appropriate fourth tier FA WNL Division One. The winner of each Division One were promoted to the Northern or Southern Premier Division, with the bottom two teams in those leagues relegated to respective regional leagues.[2]
Premier Division
editNorthern Division
editChanges from last season:
- Despite winning the Northern Division, Wolverhampton Wanderers lost the Championship play-off and therefore remained in the Premier Division.
- Boldmere St. Michaels were promoted from Division One Midlands as champions.
- Liverpool Feds were promoted from Division One North as champions.
- Middlesbrough were relegated to Division One North.
- Hull City were relegated to Division One North.
- Sheffield F.C. were relegated to Division One Midlands.
|
 Location of Northern Premier Division clubs for the 2022–23 season
|
League table
edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nottingham Forest (C) | 22 | 17 | 3 | 2 | 81 | 18 | +63 | 54 | Championship play-off |
| 2 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 22 | 17 | 3 | 2 | 61 | 17 | +44 | 54 | |
| 3 | Burnley | 22 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 66 | 28 | +38 | 52 | |
| 4 | Derby County | 22 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 50 | 32 | +18 | 38 | |
| 5 | Brighouse Town | 22 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 28 | 27 | +1 | 31 | |
| 6 | Huddersfield Town | 22 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 36 | 43 | −7 | 26 | |
| 7 | AFC Fylde | 22 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 24 | 54 | −30 | 26 | |
| 8 | West Bromwich Albion | 22 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 28 | 46 | −18 | 25 | |
| 9 | Liverpool Feds | 22 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 36 | 45 | −9 | 24 | |
| 10 | Stoke City | 22 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 32 | 49 | −17 | 24 | |
| 11 | Boldmere St. Michaels (R) | 22 | 5 | 1 | 16 | 27 | 61 | −34 | 16 | Relegation to FA WNL Division One |
| 12 | Loughborough Lightning (R) | 22 | 0 | 3 | 19 | 10 | 59 | −49 | 3 |
Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Results
editSouthern Division
editChanges from last season:
- Southampton F.C. were promoted to Championship as National League champions.
- Watford were relegated from Championship.
- Billericay Town were promoted from Division One South East as champions.
- Cheltenham Town were promoted from Division One South West as champions.
- Cardiff City Ladies were relegated to Division One South West.
- Chichester & Selsey were relegated to Division One South West.
- Hounslow were relegated to Division One South East.
- Keynsham Town were relegated to Division One South West.
|
 Location of Southern Premier Division clubs for the 2022–23 season
|
League table
edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Watford (C, O, P) | 22 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 65 | 17 | +48 | 53 | Championship play-off |
| 2 | Ipswich Town | 22 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 48 | 11 | +37 | 53 | |
| 3 | Oxford United | 22 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 53 | 15 | +38 | 51 | |
| 4 | Portsmouth | 22 | 15 | 2 | 5 | 44 | 20 | +24 | 47 | |
| 5 | Milton Keynes Dons | 22 | 9 | 3 | 10 | 38 | 42 | −4 | 30 | |
| 6 | Billericay Town | 22 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 37 | 41 | −4 | 28 | |
| 7 | Gillingham | 22 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 23 | 29 | −6 | 28 | |
| 8 | Cheltenham Town | 22 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 29 | 50 | −21 | 25 | |
| 9 | London Bees | 22 | 7 | 2 | 13 | 22 | 41 | −19 | 23 | |
| 10 | Plymouth Argyle | 22 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 23 | 45 | −22 | 19 | |
| 11 | Bridgwater United (R) | 22 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 20 | 43 | −23 | 14 | Relegation to FA WNL Division One |
| 12 | Crawley Wasps (R) | 22 | 1 | 4 | 17 | 13 | 61 | −48 | 7 |
Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Results
editChampionship play-off
editThe overall FA Women's National League champion was decided by a play-off match held at the end of the season between the Northern Division and Southern Division winners. The play-off match also earned promotion to the Women's Championship subject to meeting licensing requirements.
| Nottingham Forest | 0–1 | Watford |
|---|---|---|
| Report | Wilson  17' |
Attendance: 3,007
Division One
editDivision One North
editChanges from last season:
- Liverpool Feds were promoted to Northern Premier Division as Division One North champions.
- Hull City were relegated from Northern Premier Division.
- Middlesbrough were relegated from Northern Premier Division.
- Merseyrail were promoted as North West Women's Regional Football League champions.
- York City were promoted as North East Regional Women's Football League champions.
- Alnwick Town were relegated to North East Regional Women's Football League.
- Chester-le-Street were relegated to North East Regional Women's Football League.
- F.C. United of Manchester were relegated to North West Women's Regional Football League.
| Club | Home ground | Position 2021–22 |
|---|---|---|
| Barnsley | Wombwell Recreation Ground, Wombwell | 9th |
| Bradford City | Plumpton Park, Wrose | 7th |
| Chorley | Blainscough Park, Coppull | 5th |
| Durham Cestria | The Graham Sports Centre, Durham | 3rd |
| Hull City | Haworth Park, Kingston upon Hull | WNL North, 12th |
| Leeds United | Ings Lane, Tadcaster | 4th |
| Merseyrail | Admiral Park, Toxteth | NWWRFL, 1st |
| Middlesbrough | Bedford Terrace, Billingham | WNL North, 11th |
| Newcastle United | Druid Park, Woolsington | 2nd |
| Norton & Stockton Ancients | Station Road, Norton, County Durham | 8th |
| Stockport County | Stockport Sports Village, Stockport | 6th |
| York City | Haxby Road Sports Park, York | NERWFL, 1st |
League table
edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newcastle United (C, P) | 22 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 65 | 18 | +47 | 56 | Promotion to FA WNL Premier Division |
| 2 | Durham Cestria | 22 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 55 | 12 | +43 | 56 | |
| 3 | Stockport County | 22 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 39 | 23 | +16 | 37 | |
| 4 | Barnsley | 22 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 37 | 27 | +10 | 37 | |
| 5 | Hull City | 22 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 46 | 30 | +16 | 35 | |
| 6 | Leeds United | 22 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 41 | 34 | +7 | 35 | |
| 7 | Norton & Stockton Ancients | 22 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 26 | 33 | −7 | 30 | |
| 8 | Chorley | 22 | 6 | 4 | 12 | 27 | 48 | −21 | 22 | |
| 9 | York City | 22 | 6 | 3 | 13 | 32 | 46 | −14 | 21 | |
| 10 | Middlesbrough | 22 | 6 | 3 | 13 | 23 | 46 | −23 | 21 | |
| 11 | Bradford City (R) | 22 | 6 | 0 | 16 | 22 | 48 | −26 | 18 | Relegation to regional league level |
| 12 | Merseyrail (R) | 22 | 1 | 5 | 16 | 11 | 59 | −48 | 8 |
Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Division One Midlands
editChanges from last season:
- Boldmere St. Michaels were promoted to Northern Premier Division as Division One Midlands champions.
- Sheffield F.C. were relegated from Northern Premier Division.
- Northampton Town were promoted from East Midlands Regional Women's Football League as champions.
- Stourbridge were promoted from West Midlands Regional Women's Football League as champions.
- Bedworth United were relegated to West Midlands Regional Women's Football League.
- Burton Albion were relegated to West Midlands Regional Women's Football League.
- Despite finishing the 2021–22 season in a relegation place in 10th, Wem Town were handed a reprieve from relegation.[3]
| Club | Home ground | Position 2021–22 |
|---|---|---|
| Doncaster Rovers Belles | Iqbal Stadium, Moorends | 2nd |
| Leafield Athletic | Dickens Heath Sports Club, Solihull | 9th |
| Leek Town | Harrison Park, Leek | 5th |
| Lincoln City | Moorlands Sports Ground, Lincoln | 3rd |
| Long Eaton United | Grange Park, Long Eaton | 4th |
| Northampton Town | Larkhall Lane, Harpole | EMRWFL, 1st |
| Peterborough United | Mick George Training Academy, Orton | 8th |
| Sheffield F.C. | Home of Football Ground, Dronfield | WNL North, 13th |
| Solihull Moors | Damson Park, Solihull | 7th |
| Sporting Khalsa | Aspray Arena, Willenhall | 6th |
| Stourbridge | War Memorial Ground, Stourbridge | WMRWFL, 1st |
| Wem Town | Butler Sports Centre, Wem | 10th |
League table
edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stourbridge (C, P) | 22 | 17 | 3 | 2 | 86 | 16 | +70 | 54 | Promotion to FA WNL Premier Division |
| 2 | Doncaster Rovers Belles | 22 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 45 | 22 | +23 | 42 | |
| 3 | Sporting Khalsa | 22 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 62 | 33 | +29 | 39 | |
| 4 | Peterborough United | 22 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 48 | 30 | +18 | 39 | |
| 5 | Northampton Town | 22 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 45 | 26 | +19 | 36 | |
| 6 | Lincoln City | 22 | 9 | 3 | 10 | 73 | 54 | +19 | 30 | |
| 7 | Solihull Moors | 22 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 43 | 29 | +14 | 30 | |
| 8 | Sheffield F.C. | 21 | 8 | 4 | 9 | 46 | 28 | +18 | 28 | |
| 9 | Leafield Athletic | 22 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 45 | 47 | −2 | 28 | |
| 10 | Leek Town | 22 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 38 | 49 | −11 | 27 | |
| 11 | Wem Town (R) | 21 | 5 | 2 | 14 | 31 | 58 | −27 | 17 | Relegation to regional league level |
| 12 | Long Eaton United (R) | 22 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 12 | 182 | −170 | 3 |
Updated to match(es) played on 7 May 2023. Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Division One South East
editChanges from last season:
- Billericay Town were promoted to Southern Premier Division as Division One South East champions.
- Hounslow were relegated from Southern Premier Division.
- Chesham United realigned from Division One South West.
- Ashford Town were promoted from London and South East Women's Regional Football League as champions.
- Wymondham Town were promoted from Eastern Region Women's Football League as champions.
- Enfield Town were relegated to London and South East Women's Regional Football League.
- Harlow Town were relegated to Eastern Region Women's Football League.
- Kent Football United were relegated to London and South East Women's Regional Football League and rebranded to Ebbsfleet United.[4]
- Stevenage were relegated to Eastern Region Women's Football League.
- Wymondham Town withdrew from the league on 14 October 2022 and their results were expunged.
- Hounslow withdrew from the league on 28 February 2023 and their results were expunged. As a result of two teams withdrawing, there was no longer any relegation from Division One South East.
| Club | Home ground | Position 2021–22 |
|---|---|---|
| Actonians | Rectory Park, Northolt | 5th |
| AFC Wimbledon | Plough Lane, Wimbledon | 3rd |
| Ashford Town | Robert Parker Stadium, Stanwell | LSEWRFL, 1st |
| Cambridge City | The Demcom Stadium, Ely | 7th |
| Cambridge United | Rowley Park, St Neots | 9th |
| Chesham United | The Meadow, Chesham | WNL D1 South West, 5th |
| Hashtag United | Parkside, Aveley | 2nd |
| Hounslow | Rectory Meadow, Hanworth | WNL South, 14th |
| London Seaward | Hornchurch Stadium, Upminster | 6th |
| Norwich City | The Nest, Horsford | 8th |
| Queens Park Rangers | Powerday Stadium, Perivale | 4th |
| Wymondham Town | Kings Head Meadow, Wymondham | ERWFL, 1st |
League table
edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hashtag United (C, P) | 18 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 77 | 14 | +63 | 49 | Promotion to FA WNL Premier Division |
| 2 | AFC Wimbledon | 18 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 45 | 13 | +32 | 45 | |
| 3 | Actonians | 18 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 52 | 26 | +26 | 32 | |
| 4 | Norwich City | 18 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 32 | 34 | −2 | 30 | |
| 5 | London Seaward | 18 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 34 | 31 | +3 | 29 | |
| 6 | Ashford Town | 18 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 34 | 41 | −7 | 23 | |
| 7 | Queens Park Rangers | 18 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 31 | 36 | −5 | 22 | |
| 8 | Cambridge United | 18 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 30 | 45 | −15 | 14 | |
| 9 | Cambridge City | 18 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 17 | 50 | −33 | 7 | |
| 10 | Chesham United | 18 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 17 | 79 | −62 | 6 | |
| 11 | Hounslow (W) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Withdrew from league |
| 12 | Wymondham Town (W) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (W) Withdrew from the league
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (W) Withdrew from the league
Division One South West
editChanges from last season:
- Cheltenham Town were promoted to Southern Premier Division as Division One South West champions.
- Cardiff City Ladies were relegated from Southern Premier Division.
- Keynsham Town were relegated from Southern Premier Division.
- Chichester & Selsey were relegated from Southern Premier Division and rebranded to Selsey.
- Chesham United realigned to Division One South East.
- AFC St Austell were promoted from South West Regional Women's Football League as champions.
- Moneyfields were promoted from Southern Region Women's Football League as champions.
- Poole Town were relegated to South West Regional Women's Football League.
| Club | Home ground | Position 2021–22 |
|---|---|---|
| AFC Bournemouth | Potterne Park, Verwood | 2nd |
| AFC St Austell | Poltair Park, St Austell | SWRWFL, 1st |
| Cardiff City Ladies | CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach | WNL South, 11th |
| Exeter City | Cullompton Cricket Club, Cullompton | 3rd |
| Keynsham Town | Crown Field, Keynsham | WNL South, 13th |
| Larkhall Athletic | Larkhall Sports Club, Larkhall | 9th |
| Maidenhead United | York Road, Maidenhead | 6th |
| Moneyfields | Moneyfields Sports Ground, Portsmouth | SRWFL, 1st |
| Portishead Town | Bristol Road, Portishead | 8th |
| Selsey | The High Street Ground, Selsey | WNL South, 12th |
| Southampton Women's | Arlebury Park, New Alresford | 4th |
| Swindon Town | Cinder Lane, Fairford | 7th |
League table
edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City Ladies (C, P) | 22 | 19 | 1 | 2 | 86 | 13 | +73 | 58 | Promotion to FA WNL Premier Division |
| 2 | Exeter City | 22 | 19 | 1 | 2 | 83 | 18 | +65 | 58 | |
| 3 | Moneyfields | 21 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 53 | 27 | +26 | 44 | |
| 4 | AFC Bournemouth | 22 | 13 | 4 | 5 | 59 | 21 | +38 | 43 | |
| 5 | Southampton Women's | 22 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 50 | 31 | +19 | 42 | |
| 6 | Swindon Town | 22 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 35 | 48 | −13 | 28 | |
| 7 | Portishead Town | 22 | 8 | 1 | 13 | 32 | 63 | −31 | 25 | |
| 8 | Selsey | 22 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 34 | 37 | −3 | 22 | |
| 9 | Keynsham Town | 22 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 36 | 64 | −28 | 22 | |
| 10 | Maidenhead United | 21 | 6 | 3 | 12 | 25 | 42 | −17 | 21 | |
| 11 | Larkhall Athletic (R) | 21 | 4 | 0 | 17 | 19 | 62 | −43 | 12 | Relegation to regional league level |
| 12 | AFC St Austell (R) | 21 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 27 | 113 | −86 | 3 |
Updated to match(es) played on 7 May 2023. Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Women's league restructure". The Football Association.
- ^ "FA Women's National League strategy 2022-25". The Football Association.
- ^ Cox, Lewis. "Wem Town are handed relegation reprieve". www.shropshirestar.com.
- ^ "Fleet announce women's and girls' teams for new season". Ebbsfleet United Football Club.