2023–24 FA Women's National League
The 2023–24 FA Women's National League is the 32nd season of the competition, and the sixth since a restructure and rebranding of the top four tiers of English football by The Football Association. Starting in 1991, it was previously known as the FA Women's Premier League. It sits at the third and fourth levels of the women's football pyramid, below the Women's Championship and above the eight regional football leagues.[1]
| Season | 2023–24 |
|---|---|
← 2022–23 2024–25 → | |
The league features six regional divisions: the Northern and Southern Premier divisions at level three of the pyramid, and Division One North, Division One Midlands, Division One South East, and Division One South West at the fourth level. The league consists of 72 teams, divided into six divisions of 12 each. In a change from previous seasons, both winners of the Northern and Southern Premier divisions will be promoted to the Women's Championship. The bottom two teams will be relegated to the appropriate fourth tier FA WNL Division One. The winner of each Division One will be promoted to the Northern or Southern Premier Division, with the bottom two teams in those leagues relegated to respective regional leagues.
Premier Division
Northern Division
Changes from last season:
- Despite winning the Northern Division, Nottingham Forest lost the Championship play-off and therefore remained in the Premier Division.
- Newcastle United were promoted from Division One North as champions.
- Stourbridge were promoted from Division One Midlands as champions.
- Boldmere St. Michaels were relegated to Division One Midlands.
- Loughborough Lightning were relegated to Division One Midlands.
- Brighouse Town rebranded as Halifax F.C. Women in May 2023.[2]
|
 Location of Northern Premier Division clubs for the 2023–24 season
|
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burnley | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 7 | +15 | 20 | Promotion to Championship |
| 2 | Newcastle United | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 1 | +15 | 16 | |
| 3 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 5 | +14 | 16 | |
| 4 | Stoke City | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 16 | +2 | 13 | |
| 5 | Nottingham Forest | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 22 | 8 | +14 | 12 | |
| 6 | Derby County | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 21 | 10 | +11 | 12 | |
| 7 | Liverpool Feds | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 23 | −7 | 11 | |
| 8 | Stourbridge | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 29 | −12 | 9 | |
| 9 | Halifax | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 9 | −2 | 7 | |
| 10 | West Bromwich Albion | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 20 | −6 | 7 | |
| 11 | Huddersfield Town | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 28 | −22 | 3 | Relegation to FA WNL Division One |
| 12 | AFC Fylde | 9 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 29 | −22 | 2 |
Updated to match(es) played on 22 October 2023. Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Results
Southern Division
Changes from last season:
- Watford were promoted to Championship as National League champions.
- Coventry United were relegated from Championship and re-affiliated as Rugby Borough.[3]
- Cardiff City Ladies were promoted from Division One South West as champions.
- Hashtag United were promoted from Division One South East as champions.
- Bridgwater United were relegated to Division One South West.
- Crawley Wasps were relegated to Division One South East.
- Gillingham re-affiliated as Chatham Town.[4]
|
 Location of Southern Premier Division clubs for the 2022–23 season
|
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hashtag United | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 8 | +12 | 24 | Promotion to Championship |
| 2 | Portsmouth | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 37 | 2 | +35 | 21 | |
| 3 | Ipswich Town | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 32 | 8 | +24 | 18 | |
| 4 | Rugby Borough | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 20 | 12 | +8 | 18 | |
| 5 | Milton Keynes Dons | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 9 | +8 | 17 | |
| 6 | Oxford United | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 10 | +5 | 13 | |
| 7 | Cheltenham Town | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 27 | −14 | 10 | |
| 8 | Billericay Town | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 19 | 18 | +1 | 9 | |
| 9 | Cardiff City Ladies | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 22 | −9 | 6 | |
| 10 | Plymouth Argyle | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 32 | −23 | 6 | |
| 11 | Chatham Town | 9 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 27 | −23 | 3 | Relegation to FA WNL Division One |
| 12 | London Bees | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 27 | −24 | 1 |
Updated to match(es) played on 22 October 2023. Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Results
Division One
Division One North
Changes from last season:
- Newcastle United were promoted to Northern Premier Division as Division One North champions.
- Doncaster Rovers Belles were realigned from Division One Midlands.
- Chester-le-Street Town were promoted from North East Regional Women's Football League as champions.
- F.C. United of Manchester were promoted from North West Women's Regional Football League as champions.
- Bradford City were relegated to North East Regional Women's Football League.
- Merseyrail were relegated to North West Women's Regional Football League.
| Club | Home ground | Position 2022–23 |
|---|---|---|
| Barnsley | Wombwell Recreation Ground, Wombwell | 4th |
| Chester-le-Street Town | Moor Park, Chester-le-Street | NERWFL, 1st |
| Chorley | Blainscough Park, Coppull | 8th |
| Doncaster Rovers Belles | Iqbal Stadium, Moorends | WNL D1 Midlands, 2nd |
| Durham Cestria | The Graham Sports Centre, Durham | 2nd |
| F.C. United of Manchester | Broadhurst Park, Moston | NWWRFL, 1st |
| Hull City | Haworth Park, Kingston upon Hull | 5th |
| Leeds United | Ings Lane, Tadcaster | 6th |
| Middlesbrough | Bishopton Road West, Stockton | 10th |
| Norton & Stockton Ancients | Station Road, Norton, County Durham | 7th |
| Stockport County | Stockport Sports Village, Stockport | 3rd |
| York City | Haxby Road Sports Park, York | 9th |
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barnsley | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 3 | +11 | 19 | Promotion to FA WNL Premier Division |
| 2 | Hull City | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 11 | +8 | 16 | |
| 3 | Leeds United | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 10 | +7 | 16 | |
| 4 | Middlesbrough | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 15 | |
| 5 | Stockport County | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 7 | +4 | 12 | |
| 6 | Chorley | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 12 | −4 | 11 | |
| 7 | Durham Cestria | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 5 | +7 | 10 | |
| 8 | York City | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 7 | |
| 9 | Doncaster Rovers Belles | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 18 | −4 | 7 | |
| 10 | Norton & Stockton Ancients | 8 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 12 | −6 | 4 | |
| 11 | Chester-le-Street Town | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 17 | −7 | 4 | Relegation to regional league level |
| 12 | F.C. United of Manchester | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 27 | −19 | 4 |
Updated to match(es) played on 12 October 2023. Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Division One Midlands
Changes from last season:
- Stourbridge were promoted to Northern Premier Division as Division One Midlands champions.
- Boldmere St. Michaels were relegated from Northern Premier Division.
- Loughborough Lightning were relegated from Northern Premier Division.
- Doncaster Rovers Belles were realigned to Division One North.
- Notts County were promoted from East Midlands Regional Women's Football League as champions.
- Sutton Coldfield Town were promoted from West Midlands Regional Women's Football League as champions.
- Long Eaton United were relegated to East Midlands Regional Women's Football League.
- Wem Town were relegated but were not allocated to a division by The FA.
| Club | Home ground | Position 2022–23 |
|---|---|---|
| Boldmere St. Michaels | Trevor Brown Memorial Ground, Sutton Coldfield | WNL North, 11th |
| Leafield Athletic | Dickens Heath Sports Club, Solihull | 9th |
| Leek Town | Harrison Park, Leek | 10th |
| Lincoln City | Moorlands Sports Ground, Lincoln | 6th |
| Loughborough Lightning | Loughborough University Stadium, Loughborough | WNL North, 12th |
| Northampton Town | Fernie Fields, Northampton | 5th |
| Notts County | RM Stadium, Hucknall | EMRWFL, 1st |
| Peterborough United | Mick George Training Academy, Orton | 4th |
| Sheffield F.C. | Home of Football Ground, Dronfield | 8th |
| Solihull Moors | Damson Park, Solihull | 7th |
| Sporting Khalsa | Aspray Arena, Willenhall | 3rd |
| Sutton Coldfield Town | Central Ground, Sutton Coldfield | WMRWFL, 1st |
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Loughborough Lightning | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 5 | +16 | 19 | Promotion to FA WNL Premier Division |
| 2 | Peterborough United | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 22 | 12 | +10 | 15 | |
| 3 | Sporting Khalsa | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 22 | 12 | +10 | 13 | |
| 4 | Solihull Moors | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 6 | +7 | 13 | |
| 5 | Boldmere St. Michaels | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 9 | +5 | 12 | |
| 6 | Sutton Coldfield Town | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 16 | 17 | −1 | 10 | |
| 7 | Northampton Town | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 18 | −7 | 10 | |
| 8 | Lincoln City | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 20 | 19 | +1 | 8 | |
| 9 | Leek Town | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 19 | −9 | 7 | |
| 10 | Notts County | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 26 | −14 | 7 | |
| 11 | Sheffield F.C. | 7 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 13 | −7 | 4 | Relegation to regional league level |
| 12 | Leafield Athletic | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 17 | −11 | 4 |
Updated to match(es) played on 12 October 2023. Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Division One South East
Changes from last season:
- Hashtag United were promoted to Southern Premier Division as Division One South East champions.
- Crawley Wasps were relegated from Southern Premier Division and merged to become Haywards Heath Town.[5]
- Worthing were promoted from London and South East Women's Regional Football League as champions.
- AFC Sudbury were promoted from Eastern Region Women's Football League as champions.
- As a result of Wymondham Town and Hounslow both withdrawing during the 2022–23 season, no teams were relegated from Division One South East.
| Club | Home ground | Position 2022–23 |
|---|---|---|
| Actonians | Rectory Park, Northolt | 3rd |
| AFC Sudbury | ERWFL, 1st | |
| AFC Wimbledon | Plough Lane, Wimbledon | 2nd |
| Ashford Town | Robert Parker Stadium, Stanwell | 6th |
| Cambridge City | The Demcom Stadium, Ely | 9th |
| Cambridge United | Rowley Park, St Neots | 8th |
| Chesham United | The Meadow, Chesham | 10th |
| Haywards Heath Town | WNL South, 12th (as Crawley Wasps) | |
| London Seaward | Hornchurch Stadium, Upminster | 5th |
| Norwich City | The Nest, Horsford | 4th |
| Queens Park Rangers | Powerday Stadium, Perivale | 7th |
| Worthing | Woodside Road, Worthing | LSEWRFL, 1st |
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AFC Wimbledon | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 32 | 12 | +20 | 18 | Promotion to FA WNL Premier Division |
| 2 | Norwich City | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 7 | +15 | 17 | |
| 3 | Worthing | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 5 | +14 | 15 | |
| 4 | Cambridge United | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 15 | +2 | 15 | |
| 5 | Ashford Town | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 8 | +9 | 14 | |
| 6 | Queens Park Rangers | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 12 | |
| 7 | Actonians | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 10 | |
| 8 | London Seaward | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 12 | −2 | 8 | |
| 9 | Chesham United | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 16 | 25 | −9 | 6 | |
| 10 | AFC Sudbury | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 19 | −10 | 5 | |
| 11 | Haywards Heath Town | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 25 | −17 | 3 | Relegation to regional league level |
| 12 | Cambridge City | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 28 | −22 | 2 |
Updated to match(es) played on 15 October 2023. Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Division One South West
Changes from last season:
- Cardiff City Ladies were promoted to Southern Premier Division as Division One South West champions.
- Bridgwater United were relegated from Southern Premier Division.
- Torquay United were promoted from South West Regional Women's Football League as champions.
- Abingdon United were promoted from Southern Region Women's Football League as champions.
- Larkhall Athletic were relegated to South West Regional Women's Football League.
- AFC St Austell were relegated to South West Regional Women's Football League.
| Club | Home ground | Position 2022–23 |
|---|---|---|
| Abingdon United | SRWFL, 1st | |
| AFC Bournemouth | Long Lane, Ringwood | 4th |
| Bridgwater United | Fairfax Park, Bridgwater | WNL South, 11th |
| Exeter City | Cullompton Cricket Club, Cullompton | 2nd |
| Keynsham Town | Crown Field, Keynsham | 9th |
| Maidenhead United | York Road, Maidenhead | 10th |
| Moneyfields | Moneyfields Sports Ground, Portsmouth | 3rd |
| Portishead Town | Bristol Road, Portishead | 7th |
| Selsey | The High Street Ground, Selsey | 8th |
| Southampton Women's | Arlebury Park, New Alresford | 5th |
| Swindon Town | Cinder Lane, Fairford | 6th |
| Torquay United | SWRWFL, 1st |
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AFC Bournemouth | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 6 | +36 | 24 | Promotion to FA WNL Premier Division |
| 2 | Exeter City | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 8 | +29 | 21 | |
| 3 | Swindon Town | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 23 | 12 | +11 | 16 | |
| 4 | Keynsham Town | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 23 | 14 | +9 | 13 | |
| 5 | Moneyfields | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 39 | 15 | +24 | 12 | |
| 6 | Bridgwater United | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 17 | 14 | +3 | 12 | |
| 7 | Abingdon United | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 10 | +2 | 10 | |
| 8 | Maidenhead United | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 15 | 24 | −9 | 7 | |
| 9 | Southampton Women's | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 20 | −11 | 5 | |
| 10 | Torquay United | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 14 | 27 | −13 | 4 | |
| 11 | Portishead Town | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 35 | −23 | 4 | Relegation to regional league level |
| 12 | Selsey | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 58 | −58 | 0 |
Updated to match(es) played on 15 October 2023. Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
See also
- 2023–24 FA Women's National League Cup
- 2023–24 FA Women's National League Plate
- 2023–24 Women's Super League (tier 1)
- 2023–24 Women's Championship (tier 2)
References
- "Women's league restructure". The Football Association.
- "Brighouse Town Women as we knew it rebrand to become Halifax FC". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 21 May 2023.
- "Coventry Utd renamed Rugby Borough and to relocate". BBC Sport.
- "Dan Logue: Chatham Town statement". www.chathamtownfc.com.
- "Crawley Wasps gain new home following merger with local Sussex non-league outfit". Sussex World. 27 February 2023.
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