Sunderland and Watford have been moved up into the FA Women’s Championship for season 2021/22 as part of the FA’s Upward Club Movement.
The FA has confirmed that the Upward Club Movement process within the Women’s Football Pyramid, which was opened via application in April, has now been determined by the Women’s Football Board following the curtailment of the 2020/2021 season in Tiers 3-6.
All clubs participating in Tiers 3 to 6 (inclusive) of the Women’s Pyramid were permitted to apply for upward movement, with successful clubs moving into the league or division immediately above the Tier in which they currently operate.
As a result, FA Women’s National League Northern Premier side, Sunderland, and FA Women’s National League Southern Premier side, Watford, have been successful in applying for upward movement and will compete in the FA Women’s Championship next season.
Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighouse Town will move up into Tier 3 (FA WNL Northern Premier), along with Southampton FC and Ipswich Town (FA WNL Southern Premier).
Full details of upwards club movement are as follows:
| Division | Successful Clubs |
| FA Women’s Championship (Tier 2) | Sunderland
Watford |
| FA WNL Northern Premier (Tier 3) | Wolverhampton Wanderers
Brighouse Town |
| FA WNL Southern Premier (Tier 3) | Ipswich Town
Southampton FC |
| FA WNL Division 1 North (Tier 4) | Alnwick Town
FC United of Manchester |
| FA WNL Division 1 Midlands (Tier 4) | Peterborough United
Leek Town |
| FA WNL Division 1 South East (Tier 4) | Harlow Town
Queens Park Rangers |
| FA WNL Division 1 South West (Tier 4) | AFC Bournemouth
Portishead Town |
| North West Regional Premier Division (Tier 5) | AFC Darwen
(Only 1 application received so 1 vacancy left unfilled) |
| North East Regional Premier Division (Tier 5) | Sunderland West End
Wakefield Trinity |
| West Midlands Regional Premier Division (Tier 5) | Tamworth
Stourbridge |
| East Midlands Regional Premier Division (Tier 5) | Lincoln United
Notts County |
| Eastern Region Premier Division (Tier 5) | King’s Lynn Town
Millwall Lionesses (Millwall have also had an application for sideways movement approved so will play in the London & South East Regional Premier Division) |
| London & South East Regional Premier Division (Tier 5) | New London Lionesses
Worthing |
| Southern Region Premier Division (Tier 5) | Abingdon Town (1 vacancy due to the Southern Region League running 1 division at Tier 6) |
| South West Regional Premier Division (Tier 5) | AFC St Austell
Sherborne Town Forest Green Rovers (3 vacancies due to the South West Regional League running 3 divisions at Tier 6) |
Applications were marked against a criteria weighted 75% on-field and 25% off-field. The on-field criteria considered aspects such as points per game, cup performances and goal difference, across the last two seasons. The off-field section marked clubs on areas such as club structure, workforce and facilities. Clubs applying to move into the FA Women’s Championship, also had to demonstrate that they would be able to meet the required licence criteria.
Clubs were recently informed of the outcome of their applications and successful clubs will now be preparing during the off-season ahead of the 2021/2022 season. The FA would like to thank all clubs who applied following an impressive set of applications; and congratulate all those clubs who made successful applications as well as thank Leagues and County FAs for their support.
Decisions on Promotion Pool applications (movement from Tier 7 to Tier 6) and other movements within the Women’s Football Pyramid will be made shortly and confirmed to clubs, allowing full league allocations to be confirmed in due course.
First pro deal for Sheffield United Women’s Charley Docherty
