FA Women's National League North

The FA Women's National League North is a league at the third-level in the women's football league pyramid in England, along with the Southern division. These two divisions are part of the FA Women's National League and below the Women's Super League and Women's Championship.

FA Women's National League North
Founded1992; 32 years ago (1992)
CountryEngland
Number of clubs12
Level on pyramid3
Promotion toWomen's Championship
Relegation toFA Women's National League Division One North, FA Women's National League Division One Midlands
Domestic cup(s)Women's FA Cup
League cup(s)
Current championsNewcastle United (1st title)
(2023–24)
Most championshipsBlackburn Rovers (4 titles)
Websitewomenscompetitions.thefa.com
Current: 2024–25 FA Women's National League

The league is played on a home and away basis, with each team playing each other twice, and points being awarded in the standard three points for a win format. The bottom two clubs are relegated, also on a geographical basis, to the Division One Northern, and Division One Midland.

For the 2023/24 season, changes were made meaning that two clubs would be relegated from the Women's Championship allowing one team each from National League North and South to be promoted to the Championship rather than having to play a season end playoff. This change resulted in two teams being relegated from the Championship at the end of the season.

Northern Premier Division teams are eligible to play in the Women's National League Cup as well as the Women's FA Cup.

History

edit

Originally known as the Women's Premier League Northern Division, Bronte were the inaugural second level champions.[1] Aston Villa, having won the 2010–11 season, became the last second level champions.[2] After the introduction of the Women's Super League in 2011, the league became the third level of woman’s football. Manchester City won the 2011–12 season, becoming the first third level champions. Prior to the 2018–19 season, the league was renamed as the FA Women's National League North,[3] part of a complete rebrand of the women’s pyramid.[4] Blackburn Rovers won the inaugural edition of the rebranded league.[5]

Current teams (2024–25 season)

edit

Previous winners

edit
Season Winner
2000–01 Leeds United
2001–02 Birmingham City
2002–03 Aston Villa
2003–04 Liverpool
2004–05 Sunderland
2005–06 Blackburn Rovers
2006–07 Liverpool
2007–08 Nottingham Forest
2008–09 Sunderland
2009–10 Liverpool
2010–11 Aston Villa
2011–12 Manchester City
2012–13 Sheffield F.C.
2013–14 Sheffield F.C.
2014–15 Sheffield F.C.
2015–16 Sporting Club Albion
2016–17 Blackburn Rovers
2017–18 Blackburn Rovers
2018–19 Blackburn Rovers
2019–20 not awarded
2020–21 not awarded
2021–22 Wolverhampton Wanderers
2022–23 Nottingham Forest
2023–24 Newcastle United

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "1991–1992". The Owl Football Historian. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  2. ^ "2010/11 Northern Division table". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 23 June 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  3. ^ "FA Women's Championship: New name chosen for England's second tier". BBC. 26 February 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  4. ^ "New Brand Identity for FA Woman's Leagues". The Football Association. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Blackburn Rovers defeat Coventry to secure place in FA Woman's Championship". The Football Association. 18 May 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
edit