2017–18 FA WSL


The 2017–18 FA WSL was the seventh edition of the FA WSL since it was formed in 2010. It was the first season of WSL which ran as a winter league. It started in September 2017 and ended in May 2018, with ten teams competing in both leagues.
The Football Association removed promotion and relegation between the two tiers for the end of the season. The league was instead restructured, with clubs required to apply for licenses under new criteria for the top tier in the 2018–19 season.
A one-off competition, the FA WSL Spring Series, ran from February to May 2017 to bridge the gap from the 2016 FA WSL season and acted as a warm up tournament.

Teams

With the collapse of Notts County Ladies just prior to the Spring Series, the ten clubs of WSL2 were invited to apply for a place in the 2017–18 season. Two sides, champions Everton and runners-up Doncaster Rovers, applied. On 9 June 2017, subject to appeal, Everton were awarded the position.
;WSL 1
TeamLocationGroundCapacity2016 seasonSpring Series
ArsenalBorehamwoodMeadow Park4,5023rd3rd
Birmingham CitySolihullDamson Park3,0505th7th
Bristol CityFiltonStoke Gifford Stadium1,5002nd, WSL 28th
ChelseaKingston upon ThamesKingsmeadow4,8502nd1st
EvertonWidnesSelect Security Stadium13,3503rd, WSL 21st, WSL2
LiverpoolWidnesSelect Security Stadium13,3504th4th
Manchester CityManchesterAcademy Stadium7,0001st2nd
ReadingHigh WycombeAdams Park9,6178th6th
SunderlandSouth ShieldsMariners Park3,0007th5th
Yeovil TownYeovilHuish Park9,5651st, WSL 29th

;WSL 2
TeamLocationGroundCapacity2016 seasonSpring Series
Aston VillaTamworthThe Lamb Ground4,0007th4th
Brighton & Hove AlbionLancingCulver Road2,0001st, 2015–16 WPL6th
Doncaster Rovers BellesDoncasterKeepmoat Stadium15,2319th, WSL 12nd
DurhamDurhamNew Ferens Park3,0004th5th
London BeesCanons ParkThe Hive Stadium5,1766th7th
Millwall LionessesBermondseySt. Paul's Sports Ground2,5008th3rd
Oxford UnitedMarstonCourt Place Farm3,2009th10th
SheffieldDronfieldCoach and Horses2,0005th9th
Tottenham HotspurCheshuntThe Stadium3,0001st, 2016–17 WPLn/a
WatfordKings LangleyGlobal Metcorp Stadium1,00010th8th

WSL 1

Ten teams competed this season. Following the closure of Notts County Ladies in April 2017, the FA announced that one place in the league would be given to a team which competed in the Spring Series, based on an evaluation by the FA of applicant clubs' business plans, budget, youth development, facilities and on-pitch performance. The place was subsequently given to Everton.
There was no relegation based on results at the end of the season due to the league's restructure.

Table

Results

Top goalscorers

RankPlayerTeamGoals
1 Ellen WhiteBirmingham City15
2 Nikita ParrisManchester City11
3 Beth EnglandLiverpool10
4 Remi AllenReading9
4 Isobel ChristiansenManchester City9
6 Brooke ChaplenReading8
6 Fran KirbyChelsea8
6 Beth MeadArsenal8

WSL 2

Ten teams competed during this season.
There was no promotion or relegation based on results at the end of the season due to the league's restructure.

Table

Results

Top goalscorers

RankPlayerTeamGoals
1 Jessica SigsworthDoncaster Rovers Belles15
2 Melissa JohnsonSheffield F.C. Ladies12
3 Kirsty HansonDoncaster Rovers Belles11
3 Beth HeppleDurham W.F.C.11
5 Charlie DevlinMillwall Lionesses9