All you need to know about each team in the second division

The 2024/25 Women’s Championship season gets underway on today!  It has a lot to live up to after last season’s close title race when five sides were still in with a chance of winning it going into the final weeks. 

Crystal Palace finished as champions and promotion to the Women’s Super League whilst Lewes and Watford were relegated into the FA Women’s National League.  After one season in the WSL, Bristol City dropped back down to the Championship with Newcastle United and Portsmouth coming up into the second tier for the first time after winning the National League Premier Divisions.

Reading announced their resignation from the league at the end of June meaning there will only be 11 sides in the Championship this season with one promotion and one relegation place.

Here is information about all 11 sides in the league including where they play, links for tickets, social media accounts, and all the comings and goings during the summer (correct as of 7pm BST Friday 6th September 2024).

Birmingham City

Ground – St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, B9 4RL

Tickets – Event Tickets List - Online ticket office (eticketing.co.uk)

Social Media – X (Twitter) - @BCFCWomen 

                               Instagram/Threads - bcfcwomen

Manager – Amy Merricks

Last season – 5th Women’s Championship

Players joined – Ava Baker (Leicester City), Rebecca McKenna (Charlton Athletic), Tegan McGowan (Charlton Athletic), Simone Magill (Aston Villa), Ashanti Akpan (Chelsea – loan)

Players left – Jade Moore (Tampa Bay), Claudia Walker (Burnley), Abi Cowie (Leafield Athletic), Georgia Ferguson (Nottingham Forest), Lucy Jones (Derby County), Abbi Jenner (Wolverhampton Wanderers – loan), Katie Dungate (Nottingham Forest – loan), Layla Banaras (Wolverhampton Wanderers -dual registration)

Since being relegated from the WSL in 2022, Birmingham have finished 2nd and 5th in their two seasons in the Championship and will be looking to challenge at the top end of the table again.  Amy Merricks was appointed head coach in April and amongst her summer signings are Rebecca McKenna and Tegan McGowan from last season’s runners-up Charlton and Northern Ireland international forward Simone Magill. 

Blackburn Rovers

Ground – Ewood Park, BB2 4JF

Tickets – Event Tickets List - eTickets (eticketing.co.uk)

Social Media – X (Twitter) - @RoversWFC 

                               Instagram/Threads - roverswfc

Manager – Simon Parker

Last season – 6th Women’s Championship

Players joined – Jemima Dahou (Manchester City), Ellie Noble (Crystal Palace), Hannah Luke (Creighton University), Maria Edwards (SGS Essen), Ellie Hack (Lewes), Eve Clarkson (Lewes), Grace Riglar (Lewes), Poppy Soper (Charlton Athletic), Rachel Dugdale (Reading)

Players left – Evie Smith (Liverpool Feds), Danielle Maxwell (Cliftonville), Nicola Worthington (Chorley), Shanell Salgado, Helen Seed (Burnley), Milly Robertson, Lauren Thomas, Faith Nokuthula, Megan Hornby (Portsmouth), Lucy Shepherd (Dallas Trinity), Hannah Coan (Portsmouth), Emma Doyle (Burnley), Millie Chandarana (Nottingham Forest), Katie Bradley (Charlton Athletic), Jade Richards (Burnley)

Blackburn had an impressive season last time around when all sorts of club records were broken including their best league finish, highest number of points and most goals scored in the Championship.  Simon Parker’s side has seen a big turnover in players over the summer with 15 leaving and nine joining.  Rovers will be playing all their league games at Ewood Park after some good attendances last season.

Bristol City

Ground – Ashton Gate Stadium, BS3 2EJ

Tickets - Buy Tickets: Bristol Sport Ticketing (bristol-sport.co.uk)

Social Media – X (Twitter) - @bristolcitywfc

                               Instagram/Threads - bristolcitywomensfc

Manager – Loren Dykes (Interim Head Coach)

Last season – 12th Women’s Super League (relegated)

Players joined – Lexi Lloyd-Smith (Southampton), Harley Bennett (Watford), Jacqui Burns (Reading), Greta Humphries (Chelsea – loan), Libby Bance (Brighton & Hove Albion – loan), Maddy Earl (Arsenal – dual registration)

Players left – Rachel Furness (Newcastle United), Sarah Stratigakis (AS Saint-Etienne), Maddi Wilde (London City Lionesses), Lisa Evans (Glasgow City), Shania Hayles (Newcastle United), Liv Clark (FC Twente), Shae Yanez (Crystal Palace), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Satara Murray (Sheffield United), Naomi Layzell (Manchester City), Carrie Jones (IFK Norrkoping)

After winning the 2022/23 Championship, Bristol City had a disappointing season in the WSL, managing to win only one game and failing to pick up any points at home.  Lauren Smith resigned as manager in late August with Loren Dykes now in interim charge until a new permanent manager is appointed.  11 players have left the Robins over the summer with only six coming in so far.

Charlton Athletic

Ground – The Valley, SE7 8BL

Tickets – Buy Tickets: Charlton Athletic Ticketing (cafc.co.uk) 

Social Media – X (Twitter) - @CAFCWomen 

                               Instagram - cafcwomen

Manager – Karen Hills

Last season – 2nd Women’s Championship

Players joined – Katie Bradley (Blackburn Rovers), Gracie Pearse (Tottenham Hotspur), Mel Filis (West Ham United), Jodie Hutton (Sheffield United), Charlotte Newsham (Sheffield United), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes), Ellie Brazil (Tottenham Hotspur), Princess Ademiluyi (West Ham United – loan)

Players left – Angela Addison (Ipswich Town), Freda Ayisi (Hashtag United), Heidi Logan (Burnley), Kate Longhurst (Nottingham Forest), Sian Rogers (Sheffield United), Ella Rutherford (Ipswich Town), Poppy Soper (Blackburn Rovers), Rebecca McKenna (Birmingham City), Tegan McGowan (Birmingham City), Melissa Johnson (Nottingham Forest)

The Addicks have made steady progress over the last couple of years and Karen Hills side missed out on the title by one-point last season.  They may have lost a few players over the summer but the likes of Sophie Whitehouse and Ellie Brazil have joined Charlton.  They will be playing all their home league games at The Valley this term, where their home form will have to improve a bit if they hope to go one better and win the Championship.

Durham

Ground – Maiden Castle Sports Park, DH1 3SE

Tickets – TicketCo - Events Durham Women FC

Social Media – X (Twitter) - @DurhamWFC 

                               Instagram/Threads - durhamwfc

Manager – Lee Sanders

Last season – 9th Women’s Championship

Players joined – Abbi Grant (Panathinaikos), Hannah Blake (Adelaide United), Carly Johns (Watford), Kalia Novak (UCLA)

Players left – Amy Andrews (Newcastle United), Ellie Christon (AP Orlen Gdansk), Naoisha McAloon (Burnley), Saoirse Noonan (Celtic)

As an independent club, Durham maybe don’t have the same resources as some but manage to keep themselves safe in the Championship each season.  Many long serving players have resigned for another season with the Wildcats including Sarah Wilson and Beth Hepple.  New Zealand international Hannah Blake and former Watford striker Carly Johns, who scored eight goals in the league last season, are amongst those joining.

London City Lionesses

Ground – Hayes Lane, BR2 9EF

Tickets – Event Tickets List - eTickets (eticketing.co.uk)

Social Media – X (Twitter) - @LC_Lionesses 

                               Instagram/Threads - londoncitylionesses

Manager – Jocelyn Precheur

Last season – 8th Women’s Championship

Players joined – Kosovare Asllani (AC Milan), Amelia Ajao (Chelsea), Maddi Wilde (Bristol City), Gesa Marashi (Arsenal), Charlene Meyong (Stade de Reims), Miljana Ivanovic (LSK Kvinner), Shen Mengyu (Celtic), Julia Roddar (Hammarby IF), Emily Orman (Chelsea), Isobel Goodwin (Sheffield United), Teyah Goldie (Arsenal – loan), Cerys Brown (Chelsea – loan)

Players left – Paige Culver (retired), Tinaya Alexander, Jade Bailey, Leanne Cowan (Sheffield United), Nicole Douglas, Izzy Groves, Lois Joel (Newcastle United), Sonia O’Neill, Paige Satchell, Niamh Farrelly (Peamount United)

At a press conference at the end of June, owner Michele Kang announced that Jocelyn Precheur will be the Prides new manager, the signing of Swedish international Kosovare Asllani and a move to play at Bromley FC’s Hayes Lane ground.  The signings of further internationals, Isobel Goodwin from Sheffield United on the eve of the season and some youngsters from WSL sides should see London City looking to challenge for the title this season.

Newcastle United

Ground – Kingston Park Stadium, NE13 8AF (Clubs main ground – St James’ Park, NE1 4ST)

Tickets – Buy Tickets: Newcastle United Ticketing

Social Media – X (Twitter) - @NUFCWomen 

                               Instagram – newcastleunitedwomen

Manager – Rebecca Langley

Last season – 1st FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division (promoted)

Players joined – Shania Hayles (Bristol City), Amy Andrews (Durham), Deanna Cooper (Reading), Claudia Moan (Sunderland), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Rachel Furness (Bristol City), Sophie Haywood (Sheffield United), Lois Joel (London City Lionesses), Isabella Sibley (Crystal Palace – loan)

Players left – Paige Bailey-Gayle (SC Sand), Naomi Bedeau (Nottingham Forest), Grace Boyes (Middlesbrough), Tyler Dodds, Bridget Galloway (Nottingham Forest), Cara Milne-Redhead (retired), Erin Nelson (Stoke City), Keira Skelton (Middlesbrough), Anna Soulsby (Durham Cestria), Sharna Wilkinson (Middlesbrough), Lilie Wood (Mid-Ulster), Nicki Gears (Durham Cestria), Daisy Burt (Derby County – loan)

Following promotion from the FA Women’s National League, Newcastle have been busy in the transfer market including signing 2022 Euro’s winner with the Lionesses, Demi Stokes.  Others joining have experience of playing in, and winning, the Championship such as Shania Hayles, Isabella Sibley and Claudia Moan.  After two successive promotions, the Magpies will be looking to challenge to make it three in a row.

Portsmouth

Ground – Westleigh Park, PO9 5TH (Clubs main ground – Fratton Park, PO4 8RA)

Tickets – Event Tickets List | Portsmouth Football Club - eTickets (eticketing.co.uk)

Social Media – X (Twitter) - @PompeyWomen 

                               Instagram - pompeywomen

Manager – Jay Sadler

Last season – 1st FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division (promoted)

Players joined – Sophie Barker (Sheffield United), Hannah Coan (Blackburn Rovers), Megan Hornby (Blackburn Rovers), Erin McLaughlin (Peamount United), Annie Hutchings (Manchester City), Eve Annets (Manchester City – loan)

Players left – Kelci Bowers (AFC Bournemouth), Leeta Rutherford (AFC Wimbledon), Evie Gane (Fulham), Tierney Scott (Worthing), Dani Lane (Worthing), Jess Smith, Mia Adaway (Lewes), Ella Wild, Ali Hall (AFC Bournemouth), Mia Smith (Cheltenham Town)

Portsmouth have signed a few players with Championship experience for their first season at this level such as Sophie Barker, Hannah Coan and Megan Hornby.  Many of last season’s FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division winners have also resigned after Pompey turned professional during the summer.  Jay Sadler’s side will now be looking to impress in the second tier.

Sheffield United

Ground – Bramall Lane, S2 4SU

Tickets – Buy Tickets: Sheffield United Ticketing (sufc.co.uk)

Social Media – X (Twitter) - @sufc_women 

                               Instagram/Threads – sufc_women

Manager – Ash Thompson

Last season – 7th Women’s Championship

Players joined – Sian Rogers (Charlton Athletic), Monique Robinson (Leicester City), Abbie Lafayette (Watford), Maria Farrugia (Lewes), Satara Murray (Bristol City), Leanne Cowan (London City Lionesses), Annie Wilding (Everton), Ellen Molloy (Wexford)

Players left – Rebecca Rayner (Brighton & Hove Albion), Sophie Barker (Portsmouth), Tara Bourne (Southampton), Fran Stenson (Southampton), Charlotte Newsham (Charlton Athletic), Jodie Hutton (Charlton Athletic), Rachel Brown (Southampton), Ashley Hodson (retired), Sophie Haywood (Newcastle United), Charley Docherty (Burnley), Chene Muir (Derby County), Alanta Brown (Rugby Borough), Ellie May (West Bromwich Albion), Tamara Wilcock (Stoke City), Isobel Goodwin (London City Lionesses)

Ash Thompson moved up to become Sheffield United’s first team head coach in July following a spell in charge of their under 21 side.  Another club with a high turnover of players during the summer but amongst their signings are Sian Rogers in goal and Malta international Maria Farrugia.  The Blades have lost Isobel Goodwin, who was second highest scorer in the Championship last season, to London City Lionesses.

Southampton

Ground – St Mary’s Stadium, SO14 5FP

Tickets – Women | Southampton FC Official Site

Social Media – X (Twitter) - @SaintsFCWomen (matchday)/@SouthamptonFC 

                               Instagram - saintsfcwomen

Manager – Remi Allen

Last season – 4th Women’s Championship

Players joined – Rachel Rowe (Rangers), Tara Bourne (Sheffield United), Fran Stenson (Sheffield United), Rachel Brown (Sheffield United), Aimee Palmer (Leicester City), Freya Gregory (Aston Villa – loan)

Players left – Rosie Parnell (retired), Laura Rafferty (Rangers), Lexi Lloyd-Smith (Bristol City), Megan Wynne (Perth Glory), Beth Howard (Oxford United), Katie Wilkinson (Rangers), Ella Morris (Tottenham Hotspur), Sophia Pharoah, Emily Kraft (Aberdeen – loan)

The Saints second season in the Championship saw them achieve their highest ever league finish before Marianne Spacey-Cale announced she was moving to a more senior role at the club.  Remi Allen, who impressed during a short spell in charge of London City Lionesses last season, has been appointed as their new head coach as they look to continue their upward trajectory.

Sunderland

Ground – Eppleton Colliery Football Ground, DH5 9NA (Clubs main ground – Stadium of Light, SR5 1SU)

Tickets – Event Tickets List - eTickets (eticketing.co.uk)

Social Media – X (Twitter) - @SAFCWomen 

                               Instagram/Threads - safcwomen

Manager – Mel Reay

Last season – 3rd Women’s Championship

Players joined – Demi Lambourne (Leicester City), Eleanor Dale (Everton), Keira Flannery (West Ham United – loan), Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United – loan)

Players left – Grace McCatty (retired), Liz Ejupi, Faye Mullen (retired), Mollie Rouse (Spokane Zephyr), Claudia Moan (Newcastle United)

Sunderland had an amazing 2023/24 season as they challenged for the title until the second last game and eventually finished in 3rd place.  They have lost last season’s Championship Player of the Season Claudia Moan over the summer but have brought in Demi Lambourne, who was with champions Crystal Palace last season, into replace her in goal.  Will be interesting to see if Mel Reay’s side can do as well again.

Fixtures

These are the first fixtures of the season which are due to be played today, Sunday (8th September).

Durham v Sheffield United - 12:00 - Maiden Castle Sports Park

Southampton v Bristol City - 14:00 - St. Mary’s Stadium 

London City Lionesses v Newcastle United - 14:00 - Hayes Lane (live on YouTube)

Charlton Athletic v Portsmouth - 14:00 - The Valley

Birmingham City v Sunderland - 14:00 - St. Andrews @ Knighthead Park

Click on the link to see all the fixtures in the Women’s Championship this season - Scores & Fixtures | Barclays Women's Super League & Championship (thefa.com)