The FA Women's Super League 2014
Formed in 2011, the FA WSL (Women's Super League) is the highest level of women's football in England, sitting above the Women's Premier League (WPL), which currently forms the second tier. The champions qualify for the UEFA Women's Champions League.
For 2014, the competition has been restructured with the creation of a second division (WSL 2), the champions of which will replace the team finishing last in what is now WSL 1. Places in the new structure were allocated by the FA based on applications submitted by the clubs rather than league standings.
| WSL 2012 | WSL 2013 |
The WSL logo is the property of the FA. All other logos are the property of the respective clubs. Contributors are credited in brackets. The opinions on his page are those of HFK and not contributors.
Arsenal Ladies (WSL 1)
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Designer: Nike
Sponsor: Fly Emirates
Arsenal Ladies are the most successful team in English women's football, having won 35 major trophies to date, including the 2011 and 2012 WSL titles, the 2006-07 Women's Champions League and the 2013 Women's FA Cup.
Birmingham City Ladies (WSL 1)
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Designer: Sondico
Sponsor: Hollywood Monster
Birmingham City Ladies finished fourth in WSL last season. They moved to Solihull this year and now share Damson Park with Solihull Moors FC. Sondico have replaced Legea as technical sponsor.
Bristol Academy Women (WSL 1)
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Designer: Bristol Sport
Sponsor: DAS
Bristol finished as WSL runners-up last season They are now affiliated to Bristol City FC and have changed their first choice kit from blue to red.
Chelsea Ladies (WSL 1)
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Designer: Adidas
Sponsor: Samsung
Since 2004, the club has been run and funded by the Community Dept of Chelsea FC. Their kits are identical to those of the men's team.
Everton Ladies (WSL 1)
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Designer: Nike
Sponsor: Chang Beer
Formed in 1983 as Hoylake WFC, the club became Everton Ladies in 1995. The team now play at the Halton Stadium, home of Widnes RLFC as do their main rivals, Liverpool LFC.
Liverpool Ladies (WSL 1)
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Designer: Warrior Sports
Sponsor: Standard Chartered
Liverpool won the WSL title last year and play in Widnes. As usual, the ladies' team wear the same strips as those of the men.
Manchester City Women (WSL 1)
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From 13 July
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Designer: Nike
Sponsor: Etihad
Airways
There was considerable controversy when the FA announced last year that Manchester City had been assigned a place in WSL 1, replacing Doncaster Belles. The playing squad has been strengthened considerably and since January of this year, has been officially named Manchester City Women (previously "Ladies", an epithet that is becoming frankly old fashioned). They have been part of Manchester City FC proper since 2012 and play at the Manchester Regional Arena with big games staged at the Etihad Stadium.
Notts County Ladies (WSL 1)
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Designer: Fila Sports
Sponsor: Pinnacle
In April 2013 the owner of Lincoln Ladies FC, Ray Trew announced the club would relocate to Nottingham and affiliate to Notts County FC, which Trew also owns. The decision infuriated the team's substantial fan base as well as the bosses of Nottingham Forest LFC, whose own bid to join WSL was unsuccessful. The team played in their change strip until the new first kit was delivered in August because the Maggie's 2013-14 first choice clashed with the black uniforms worn by match officials.
(Richard Williams, NCLFC)
Aston Villa Ladies (WSL 2)
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Designer: Macron
Sponsor: Dafabet
Aston Villa won the Women's Premier League Cup last season and now make their debut in the Super League second tier. They were formed as Solihull FC in 1973 and have been affiliated with Aston Villa since 1996.
Doncaster Rovers Belles (WSL 2)
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Designer: Jako
Sponsor: BPP University
In April 2013, the FA announced that the Belles would play in the second tier from 2014, effectively relegating the team with just one game played. Despite an appeal widely supported by other members of WSL, the FA refused to reverse their decision. Last season's gold/blue change kit is now first choice, a return to the Belles' original colours.
(Alan Smart - Doncaster Rovers Belles)
Durham Women (WSL 2)
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Designer: Hummel
Sponsor: Wood Estate Agents
This brand new club was formed in 2013 by South Durham & Cestria Girls FC and Durham University. Their only competitive games prior to the start of the 2014 WSL season were in the 2013-14 FA Women's Cup. The team plays at New Ferens Park on the outskirts of the city.
London Bees (WSL 2)
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Designer: Jako
Sponsor: Stanmore College
Previously known as Barnet Ladies, the club rebranded themselves as part of their bid to join WSL. they are affiliated to Barnet FC and wear similar deep amber and black colours. They previously competed in the Women's Premier League (WPL) National.
Millwall Lionesses (WSL 2)
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Designer: Protime Sports Europe
Sponsor: BT Sport
Formed in 1971, the Lionesses affiliated to Millwall FC in the mid-1980s as part of the latter club's community programme. They played in the Women's Premier League National last season.
Oxford United Ladies (WSL 2)
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Designer: Nike
Sponsor: Polythene UK
Formed in 2005, the team wear the same colours as the men's team to which they are affiliated but with a different shirt sponsor. They previously played in the Women's Combination South-West Section, finishing as champions in 2013.
Reading Women (WSL 2)
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Designer: Puma
Sponsor: Waitrose
Formed in 2006, Reading won the WPL Southern Section in 2013 (third tier) and were awarded a place in the expanded WSL this year. Their kits are identical to those of the men's team but the red 2012-13 second strip is used because the black outfit currently worn by the boys would clash with those of match officials.
Sunderland AFC Ladies (WSL 2)
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Designer: Adidas
Sponsor: Bidvest
The Lady Black Cats were formed in 1999 and were formally integrated with Sunderland AFC in 2013. They were WPL champions three times in a row until being awarded a place in WSL 2.
Watford Ladies (WSL 2)
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Designer: Puma
Sponsor: McGinley Support Services
Formed in 1970, Watford Ladies are one of the older clubs in the top level of the women's game and they have been affiliated to Watford FC since 2006. They finished runners-up in last season's WPL.
Yeovil Town Ladies (WSL 2)
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Designer: Sondico
Sponsor: Quaedam Yeovil Shopping
Yeovil finished third in the WPL South last season, their highest position since they were founded in 1990.
(Trevor Jenkins - Teovil Town LFC)