2015–16 FA Women's Premier League

The 2015–16 season of the FA Women's Premier League is the 24th season of the competition, which began in 1992. Formerly the top flight of women's football in England, this season it sits at the third and fourth levels of the women's football pyramid, below the two divisions of the FA Women's Super League and above the eight regional football leagues.[1]

The league features six regional divisions: the Northern and Southern divisions at level three of the pyramid, and below those Northern Division 1, Midlands Division 1, South East Division 1, and South West Division 1.[1] 72 teams were members of the league at the beginning of the 2015–16 season, divided equally into six divisions of twelve teams.[2] At the end of the season the champions of the Northern and Southern divisions will both qualify for a playoff match against each other which will decide the overall league champion, who subject to meeting league requirements will be promoted to FA WSL 2.[3]

Premier Division

Northern Division

Derby County
Huddersfield Town
Nottingham Forest
Nuneaton Town
Preston North End
Sporting Club Albion
Stoke City
Map showing the locations of the teams in the Northern Division of the FA Women's Premier League

Changes from last season:

  • League champions Sheffield were promoted to FA WSL 2.
  • Wolverhampton Wanderers were relegated to Midlands Division One.
  • Loughborough Foxes and Guiseley Vixens were promoted into the Northern Division from Midlands Division One and Northern Division One respectively.
  • Copsewood (Coventry) relocated into the Northern Division from the Southern and were renamed Nuneaton Town.[4]
  • Coventry United moved in the opposite direction, relocating from the North to the Southern Division.
TeamHome ground2014–15 position
Blackburn RoversAnchor Ground, Darwen3rd
Bradford CityPlumpton Park, Bradford4th
Derby CountyAnderson Electrical Arena, Derby6th
Guiseley VixensNethermoor Park, Guiseley1st in Northern Division One (promoted)
Huddersfield TownStorthes Hall Park, Kirkburton5th
Loughborough FoxesLoughborough University Stadium, Loughborough1st in Midlands Division One (promoted)
Newcastle UnitedSport Northumbria, Newcastle upon Tyne11th
Nottingham ForestGreenwich Avenue, Nottingham9th
Nuneaton TownLiberty Way, Nuneaton8th in Southern Division (swapped divisions with Coventry United)
Preston North EndSir Tom Finney Stadium, Bamber Bridge8th
Sporting Club AlbionThe Grove, Halesowen10th
Stoke CityWellbeing Park, Stone7th

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Sporting Club Albion 22 17 2 3 55 22 +33 53 Playoff with Southern Division champion
2 Preston North End 22 15 4 3 71 20 +51 49
3 Blackburn Rovers 22 14 4 4 39 20 +19 46
4 Stoke City 22 14 2 6 59 28 +31 44
5 Bradford City 22 12 2 8 48 31 +17 38
6 Nottingham Forest 22 11 4 7 37 27 +10 37
7 Derby County 22 9 1 12 37 47 10 28
8 Huddersfield Town 22 7 4 11 47 56 9 25
9 Newcastle United 22 7 1 14 33 57 24 22
10 Nuneaton Town 22 4 2 16 26 67 41 14
11 Guiseley Vixens (R) 22 3 4 15 26 71 45 13 Relegation to FA Women's Premier League Division One regions
12 Loughborough Foxes (R) 22 3 2 17 26 58 32 11
Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(R) Relegated.

Results

Home \ Away BLB BRA DER GUI HUD LOU NEW NOT NUN PNE SCA STK
Blackburn Rovers 1–0 3–1 5–0 4–2 1–0 2–1 0–0 2–0 0–0 2–0 2–1
Bradford City 2–2 3–2 5–1 2–0 2–0 3–0 3–0 1–1 1–2 2–3 1–4
Derby County 4–3 2–1 2–1 0–1 0–0 1–0 2–0 0–1 0–4 1–2 0–3
Guiseley Vixens 0–1 1–5 0–6 0–7 3–2 2–2 1–2 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–5
Huddersfield Town 0–2 0–5 2–6 0–2 7–0 4–3 3–3 3–1 1–4 1–1 3–3
Loughborough Foxes 0–2 1–2 3–4 2–2 1–2 2–1 1–5 6–3 1–2 0–1 2–1
Newcastle United 2–1 3–1 2–0 1–6 2–7 4–2 1–0 6–1 0–5 1–4 0–2
Nottingham Forest 2–1 0–2 2–0 3–0 3–1 1–0 4–0 2–0 2–2 0–2 3–0
Nuneaton Town 0–3 1–2 1–4 4–2 3–1 4–2 1–2 0–2 0–1 2–3 0–2
Preston North End 0–1 2–1 7–1 4–1 6–0 5–1 4–0 2–2 13–0 3–0 0–3
Sporting Club Albion 4–0 4–1 3–0 5–0 0–0 4–0 2–1 2–0 5–1 3–2 3–1
Stoke City 1–1 1–3 5–1 5–0 5–2 2–0 3–1 4–1 3–0 1–2 4–2
Source: The Football Association
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Southern Division

C & K Basildon
Charlton Athletic
Forest Green Rovers
Lewes
Portsmouth
QPR
Tottenham
WHU
Map showing the locations of the teams in the Southern Division of the FA Women's Premier League

Changes from last season:

  • Gillingham and Keynsham Town were relegated to South East and South West Division One respectively.
  • Forest Green Rovers and C & K Basildon were promoted from South West and South East Division One.
  • Coventry United relocated into the Southern Division from the Northern Division.
  • Copsewood (Coventry) renamed themselves Nuneaton Town and relocated to the Northern Division.[4]
TeamHome ground2014–15 position
Brighton & Hove AlbionCulver Road, Lancing2nd
C & K BasildonThe Prospect Stadium, Canvey Island1st South East Division One (promoted)
Cardiff CityCCB Centre for Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach4th
Charlton AthleticBayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London3rd
Coventry UnitedThe Oval Ground, Bedworth2nd in Northern Division (swapped divisions with Nuneaton Town)
Forest Green RoversWisloe Road, Cambridge, Gloucestershire1st in South West Division One (promoted)
LewesThe Dripping Pan, Lewes7th
Plymouth ArgyleHaye Road, Plymouth10th
PortsmouthPrivett Park, Gosport1st
Queens Park RangersHoneycroft, West Drayton, London9th
Tottenham HotspurCheshunt Stadium, Cheshunt5th
West Ham UnitedHornchurch Stadium, Upminster, London6th

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Brighton & Hove Albion (O, P) 22 17 3 2 58 18 +40 54 Playoff with Northern Division champion
2 Charlton Athletic 22 16 4 2 68 20 +48 52
3 Cardiff City 22 15 2 5 66 27 +39 47
4 Coventry United 22 13 5 4 64 18 +46 44
5 Portsmouth 22 14 2 6 61 27 +34 44
6 Tottenham Hotspur 22 11 1 10 34 30 +4 34
7 Lewes 22 8 1 13 30 42 12 25
8 C & K Basildon 22 7 4 11 38 55 17 25
9 Queens Park Rangers 22 6 3 13 25 45 20 21
10 West Ham United 22 5 4 13 21 60 39 19
11 Forest Green Rovers 22 2 2 18 19 76 57 8
12 Plymouth Argyle (R) 22 1 3 18 23 89 66 6 Relegation to FA Women's Premier League Division One regions
Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(O) Play-off winner; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated.

Results

Home \ Away B&HA C&KB CAR CHA CVU FGR LEW PLY POR QPR TOT WHU
Brighton & Hove Albion 6–1 1–2 2–0 2–1 4–0 2–0 3–0 3–1 2–0 4–1 1–0
C & K Basildon 1–6 4–7 1–1 0–0 3–1 2–3 2–1 4–3 3–3 1–4 2–3
Cardiff City 1–2 4–2 3–1 0–3 8–2 5–0 9–1 0–1 7–1 4–0 2–2
Charlton Athletic 0–0 4–1 0–0 1–1 9–1 2–1 5–1 2–1 2–1 1–0 8–1
Coventry United 2–2 2–1 2–0 2–3 4–0 5–0 11–0 1–1 3–0 1–2 5–0
Forest Green Rovers 1–4 0–1 1–2 0–6 1–3 0–6 3–3 0–3 1–2 0–5 1–0
Lewes 0–2 2–1 1–3 0–1 0–4 3–1 4–1 0–2 1–2 0–2 2–2
Plymouth Argyle 0–4 2–4 1–3 1–6 0–4 1–1 1–3 2–5 2–2 2–4 0–2
Portsmouth 2–3 2–2 2–1 1–4 5–1 3–0 0–1 6–0 3–0 3–2 7–0
Queens Park Rangers 2–1 1–0 0–2 1–2 0–5 4–1 1–3 1–2 0–1 0–1 3–1
Tottenham Hotspur 1–2 0–1 0–1 1–2 0–0 2–1 2–0 3–0 0–4 2–1 2–1
West Ham United 2–2 0–1 0–2 0–8 0–4 0–3 1–0 4–2 1–5 0–0 1–0
Source: The Football Association
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Championship play-off

The overall FA WPL champion was decided by a play-off match held at Wycombe Wanderers' Adams Park stadium on 29 May 2016,[5] which resulted in a 4–2 victory for Southern Division Brighton & Hove Albion over Northern Division Sporting Club Albion.[6] Brighton won promotion to FA WSL 2 a few days after the match, having met The Football Association's licensing requirements for entry to the Women's Super League.[7]

Sporting Club Albion (N)2–4Brighton & Hove Albion (S)
Leigh Dugmore  15'
Karen Clough  88'
Report Kate Natkiel  39'  68'
Sophie Perry  72'
Amy Taylor  75'
Attendance: 648
Referee: Anthony Tankard

Division One

Northern Division One

Blackpool Wren Rovers
Chester-le-Street
Chorley
Leeds Ladies
Liverpool Marshall Feds
Middlesbrough
Mossley Hill
Norton & Stockton Ancients
Map showing the locations of the teams in the Northern Division One of the FA Women's Premier League

The teams competing this season are:[8]

TeamHome ground2014–15 position
Blackpool Wren RoversBrews Park, Blackpool
Chester-le-StreetMoor Park, Chester Moor6th
ChorleyJim Fowler Memorial Fields, Leyland5th
Hull CityHamworth Park, Hull
Leeds LadiesWheatley Park, Garforth3rd
Liverpool Marshall FedsI.M. Marsh Campus, Liverpool2nd
MiddlesbroughTeesdale Park, Thornaby-on-Tees4th
MorecambeLancaster & Morecambe College, Lancaster10th
Mossley HillMossley Hill Athletic Club, Liverpool7th
Norton & Stockton AncientsNorton Sports Complex, Norton11th
Stockport CountyStockport Sports Village, Woodley8th
Tranmere RoversCross Lane, Wallasey9th

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Middlesbrough (C, P) 22 17 3 2 90 22 +68 54 Promotion to Northern Division
2 Liverpool Marshall Feds 22 15 1 6 79 39 +40 46
3 Chorley 22 13 3 6 60 46 +14 42
4 Hull City 22 10 7 5 47 39 +8 37
5 Leeds Ladies 22 11 2 9 35 41 6 35
6 Mossley Hill 22 11 1 10 46 37 +9 34
7 Morecambe 22 9 2 11 50 59 9 29
8 Blackpool Wren Rovers 22 9 1 12 42 68 26 28
9 Chester-le-Street 22 7 6 9 39 47 8 27
10 Tranmere Rovers 22 5 4 13 38 52 14 19
11 Stockport County[lower-alpha 1] (R) 22 5 4 13 46 65 19 16 Relegated from FA Women's Premier League.
12 Norton & Stockton Ancients (R) 22 2 2 18 20 77 57 8
Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champion; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated.
Notes:
  1. Stockport had three points deducted[9]

Midlands Division One

Birmingham & WM
Leicester City LFC
Loughborough Students
Peterborough Northern Star
Radcliffe Olympic
Solihull
Sporting Khalsa
Map showing the locations of the teams in Midlands Division One of the FA Women's Premier League

Changes from last season:

The teams competing this season are:[14]

TeamHome ground2014–15 position
Birmingham & West MidlandsShenley Lane Community Sports Centre, Birmingham1st in West Midlands Regional League (promoted)
Leafield AthleticTriplex Sports Club3rd
Leicester City L.F.C.Linwood Playing Fields, Leicester9th
Leicester City W.F.C.Riverside Pavilion, Leicester2nd
Loughborough StudentsHolywell Park, Loughborough5th
Peterborough Northern StarMick George Arena, Peterborough1st in East Midlands Regional League (promoted)
Radcliffe OlympicWharf Lane Recreation Ground, Radcliffe-on-Trent4th
Rotherham UnitedRoundwood Sports Complex, Rotherham6th
SolihullField Lane, Solihull7th
Sporting KhalsaAspray Arena, Willenhall8th
Steel City WanderersPark Road, Worsbrough10th
Wolverhampton WanderersKeys Park, Hednesford12th in Northern Division (relegated)

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Leicester City W.F.C. (C, P) 22 22 0 0 93 19 +74 66 Promotion to Northern Division
2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 22 14 3 5 62 30 +32 45
3 Radcliffe Olympic 22 11 5 6 52 29 +23 38
4 Solihull 22 11 2 9 43 47 4 35
5 Birmingham & West Midlands 22 10 3 9 39 42 3 33
6 Loughborough Students 22 9 1 12 44 54 10 28
7 Steel City Wanderers 22 8 3 11 35 58 23 27
8 Leicester City L.F.C. 22 7 5 10 46 55 9 26
9 Rotherham United 22 7 3 12 42 53 11 24
10 Sporting Khalsa 22 6 2 14 27 53 26 20
11 Peterborough Northern Star (R) 22 5 4 13 37 44 7 19 Relegated from FA Women's Premier League.
12 Leafield Athletic (R) 22 6 1 15 30 66 36 19
Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champion; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated.

South East Division One

Bedford
Cambridge United
Crystal Palace
Denham United
Gillingham
Ipswich Town
Lowestoft Town
Milton Keynes Dons
Old Actonians
Map showing the locations of the teams in South East Division One of the FA Women's Premier League

Changes from last season:

The teams competing this season are:[19]

TeamHome ground2014–15 position
BedfordWeston Park, Wootton8th
Cambridge UnitedUnwin Sports Ground, Ely7th
Crystal PalaceHayes Lane, Bromley3rd
Denham UnitedThe Middlesex Stadium, Ruislip6th
Enfield TownQueen Elizabeth II Stadium, Enfield5th
GillinghamThe Sports Ground, Chatham11th in Southern Division (relegated)
Ipswich TownHumber Doucy Lane, Rushmere, Ipswich9th
Lowestoft TownCrown Meadow, Lowestoft1st in Eastern Region League (promoted)
Luton TownStockwood Park Athletics Stadium, Luton4th
Milton Keynes DonsWillen Road, Newport Pagnell2nd
Norwich CityPlantation Park, Blofield10th
Old ActoniansBerkeley Fields, Greenford, London1st in London & South Eastern League (promoted)

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Crystal Palace (C, P) 22 20 2 0 90 17 +73 62 Promotion to Southern Division
2 Gillingham 22 16 3 3 84 20 +64 51
3 Milton Keynes Dons 22 13 5 4 63 26 +37 44
4 Luton Town 22 12 4 6 45 32 +13 40
5 Ipswich Town 22 11 3 8 52 44 +8 36
6 Cambridge United 22 10 5 7 54 24 +30 35
7 Enfield Town 22 7 5 10 34 29 +5 26
8 Norwich City 22 8 2 12 43 53 10 26
9 Denham United 22 6 5 11 26 35 9 23
10 Old Actonians 22 5 2 15 25 63 38 17
11 Lowestoft Town 22 2 3 17 17 97 80 9
12 Bedford (R) 22 2 1 19 16 109 93 7 Relegated from FA Women's Premier League.
Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champion; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated.

South West Division One

Cheltenham Town
Exeter City
Gloucester City
Larkhall Athletic
Maidenhead United
Shanklin
Spitfires
Sw.Town
Map showing the locations of the teams in South West Division One of the FA Women's Premier League

Changes from last season:

The teams competing this season are:[23]

TeamHome ground2014–15 position
Cheltenham TownPetersfield Park, Cheltenham8th
Chichester CityOaklands Park, Chichester7th
Exeter CityMinster Park, Exminster2nd
Gloucester City[note]Fairmile Gardens, Longford1st in South West Region League (promoted)
Keynsham TownCrown Field, Keynsham12th in Southern Division (relegated)
Larkhall AthleticPlain Ham, Larkhall5th
Maidenhead UnitedYork Road, Maidenhead1st in Southern Region League (promoted)
ShanklinCounty Ground, Shanklin6th
Southampton SaintsSilverlake Arena, Sholing4th
St NicholasLodge Road, Yate9th
Swindon Spitfires[note]The Elms, Highworth2nd in South West Region League (promoted)
Swindon TownBarrington Park, Shrivenham3rd

^note Gloucester City and Swindon Spitfires both withdrew from the league during the season. All results involving them were expunged.[24][25]

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Swindon Town (C, P) 18 15 2 1 49 12 +37 47 Promotion to Southern Division
2 Chichester City 18 14 2 2 44 8 +36 44
3 Keynsham Town 18 12 3 3 45 19 +26 39
4 Larkhall Athletic 18 11 3 4 43 23 +20 36
5 Exeter City 18 8 1 9 36 37 1 25
6 Southampton Saints 18 7 2 9 29 35 6 23
7 Maidenhead United 18 7 1 10 28 37 9 22
8 Cheltenham Town 18 4 0 14 17 49 32 12
9 Shanklin 18 3 0 15 16 54 38 9
10 St Nicholas 18 2 0 16 19 52 33 6
11 Gloucester City (X) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Resigned from league. Record expunged.
12 Swindon Spitfires (X) 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) Champion; (P) Promoted; (X) Resigned.

Results

Home \ Away CHE CHI EXE KEY LAR MAI SHA SOS STN SWT
Cheltenham Town 0–4 3–0 0–5 0–4 2–3 1–0 0–1 2–1 0–4
Chichester City 3–1 2–1 2–0 1–0 6–0 3–0 2–1 8–0 1–1
Exeter City 3–1 0–0 1–4 0–2 4–0 7–0 3–0 2–0 1–2
Keynsham Town 1–2 1–3 4–1 3–3 1–0 5–0 3–2 5–0 2–0
Larkhall Athletic 4–1 0–1 4–0 1–1 4–1 4–3 5–2 3–2 1–2
Maidenhead United 3–0 1–2 7–3 0–1 2–3 3–1 1–0 3–1 0–3
Shanklin 3–2 0–3 1–2 0–1 1–2 3–2 0–5 2–0 0–2
Southampton Saints 3–0 1–0 2–3 0–3 2–2 1–1 2–1 2–0 1–4
St Nicholas 3–1 0–3 2–5 3–4 0–1 0–1 2–1 2–3 2–3
Swindon Town 4–1 1–0 3–0 1–1 1–0 2–0 8–0 5–1 3–1
Source: The Football Association
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
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References

  1. "About the FA WPL". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 29 November 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  2. "Premier League constitution". Women's Soccer Scene. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  3. "The FA Women's Premier League Handbook season 2015–16" (PDF). 22 December 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  4. "Ryan excited at Nuneaton move". Women's Soccer Scene. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  5. "FA WPL Finals Venues Announced". She Kicks. 8 March 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  6. "Women's Premier League: Brighton beat Sporting Club Albion in play-off". BBC Sport. 29 May 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  7. "Brighton & Hove Albion Women promotion to Women's Super League approved". BBC Sport. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  8. "FA Women's Premier League Northern Division One". The Football Association. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  9. "Premier League Midweek Round-Up". She Kicks. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  10. Richard Rush (19 July 2015). "Loughborough Foxes relishing new challenge". Loughborough Echo. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  11. "Latest From Wolves Women". Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club. 27 April 2015. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  12. "New Name, New Beginnings!". Birmingham & West Midlands Ladies Football Club. 24 June 2015. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  13. "Regional Leagues round-up". Women's Soccer Scene. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  14. "FA Women's Premier League Midlands Division One". Full Time. The Football Association. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  15. "Gillingham Ladies part company with Simon Ratcliffe following relegation". Kentish Football. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  16. "Regional Leagues round-up". Women's Soccer Scene. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  17. "Carshalton pay for administrative error with their Premier League place". Sent Her Forward. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  18. Matthew Critchell (19 June 2015). "The man behind the ladies at C&K Basildon". Braintree & Witham Times. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  19. "FA Women's Premier League South East Division One". The Football Association. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  20. "Maidenhead United Ladies confirm promotion to FA Women's Premier League". Maidenhead United Football Club. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  21. "Gloucester City benefit from team effort". Women's Soccer Scene. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  22. Matthew Edwards (27 June 2015). "Spitfires are aiming to build on World Cup fervour". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  23. "FA Women's Premier League South West Division One". The Football Association. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  24. "Gloucester City withdraw from league". Women's Soccer Scene. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  25. Tom Bassam (19 October 2015). "Spitfires make reluctant withdrawal". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
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