FA Women's National League North
 | |
| Founded | 1991 |
|---|---|
| Country | England |
| Number of clubs | 12 |
| Level on pyramid | 3 |
| Promotion to | Women's Super League 2 |
| Relegation to | Division One North Division One Midlands |
| Domestic cup(s) | Women's FA Cup |
| League cup(s) | |
| Current champions | Nottingham Forest (2nd title) (2024–25) |
| Most championships | Aston Villa (5 titles) |
| Website | womenscompetitions.thefa.com |
| Current: 2024–25 FA Women's National League | |
The FA Women's National League North is a football league at the third tier of women's football in England. Together with the National League South, the two leagues form the highest division of the National League.
Established in 1991 as the WFA National League Northern Division, before a name change to the FA Premier League Northern Division in 1994, the league, along with the Southern Division, formed the second tier of women's football until 2010. The league champion was promoted to the National Division, while the bottom two teams were originally relegated to the regional leagues, prior to the introduction of the Combination Leagues in 1998. After the introduction of the Women's Super League, the National Division became the second tier, and the Northern and Southern Divisions became the third tier.
In 2014, the fourth tier Combination Leagues became part of the FA Women's Premier League. Rebranded as the Premier Leagues 'Division One', the champions of Division One North and Division One Midlands feed into the Northern Division. The league received its current name and branding in 2018.
History
[edit]Originally known as the WFA National League Northern Division, Bronte were the inaugural second level champions.[1] Liverpool, having won the 2009–10 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. Aston Villa won the 2010–11 season, becoming the first third level champions.[3]
For the 2014–15 season, the Women's Premier League incorporated the fourth tier Combination Leagues as the Premier League's 'Division One', with Division One North and Division One Midlands feeding into the Northern Division.[4] Promotion to the second tier was also reintroduced, with the winners of the Northern and Southern Divisions playing each other in a single play-off match at a neutral venue, the winner becoming the overall Women's Premier League/National League champion, and promoted to the WSL 2.[5]
Prior to the 2018–19 season, the league was renamed as the FA Women's National League North,[6] part of a complete rebrand of the women's pyramid.[7] Blackburn Rovers won the inaugural edition of the rebranded league.[8] On 1 May 2022, Division One North club Newcastle United set a new league attendance record of 22,134.[9] The club beat their own record on 17 April 2023, with an attendance of 24,092.[10] Beginning with the 2023–24 season, it was decided that both the Northern and Southern Division champions would be automatically promoted to the Championship.[11]
Clubs
[edit]The following twelve clubs are competing in the 2025–26 season.
|
 Location of clubs for the 2025–26 season
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Results
[edit]Northern Division
[edit]
- Notes
- ^ League goals only.
Division One
[edit]See also
[edit]- Women's association football
- List of women's football teams
- List of women's football (soccer) competitions
References
[edit]- ^ "1991–1992 season". The Owl Football Historian. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ "Look back to 2009–10 FA Women's Premier League season that preceded the WSL". She Kicks. 17 April 2020. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "2010/11 Northern Division table". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 23 June 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ "An introduction to the FA Women's Premier League". The Football Association. 13 August 2014. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
- ^ "New FA WPL ready to kick-off with promotion prize". The Football Association. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ "FA Women's Championship: New name chosen for England's second tier". BBC Sport. 26 February 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ "New Brand Identity for FA Woman's Leagues". The Football Association. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ "Blackburn Rovers defeat Coventry to secure place in FA Woman's Championship". The Football Association. 18 May 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ "Newcastle United Women break attendance record". Sky Sports. 1 May 2022. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Newcastle United set new record as owners' passion shines through at St James' Park". Newcastle World. 17 April 2023. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Statement: 2023–24 promotion and relegation". The Football Association. 28 April 2023. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ "FA Women's National League – Stats". The Football Association. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
External links
[edit]| National teams | |
|---|---|
| League competitions | |
| Cup competitions | |
| Awards | |
| History | |
