Manchester City to compete in WSL top tier after restructure

[Sister of fu]

Manchester City Ladies will compete in the top flight of the women's game for the first time in their history.

The Women's Super League has been expanded into two tiers of eight and 10 teams from 2014, an increase from the previous single division of eight.

Two-time English league winners Doncaster Rovers Belles will play in the second tier as part of the change.

WSL 1
•Arsenal
•Birmingham City
•Bristol Academy
•Chelsea
•Everton
•Notts County (formerly Lincoln Ladies)
•Liverpool
•Manchester City

Teams can be promoted and relegated between the two divisions but those in the second tier cannot go down.

The Football Association hopes that the introduction of two tiers will increase competition and grow the game in more areas.

The governing body will part-fund teams in the semi-professional WSL, awarding £70,000 to clubs in WSL1 and £25,000 in WSL2.

As part of their applications, clubs had to show they will match the funds being offered by the FA and this criteria will be monitored each year with teams holding provisional licences to compete until 2018.

City currently play in the Premier League, which is the division below the WSL, but will feature in the top flight with reigning champions Arsenal, Birmingham City, Bristol Academy, Chelsea, Everton, Notts County (formerly known as Lincoln Ladies) and Liverpool from next season.

WSL 2
•Aston Villa
•Doncaster Rovers Belles
•Durham
•London Bees (Barnet FC)
•Millwall Lionesses
•Oxford United
•Reading
•Sunderland
•Watford
•Yeovil Town
The second tier will comprise of Aston Villa, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Durham, London Bees (Barnet FC), Millwall Lionesses, Oxford United, Reading, Sunderland, Watford and Yeovil Town.

"This is a tremendous accolade for the club and one we are very proud of," said Aston Villa's chief executive Paul Faulkner.

"At the heart of who we are as a club is the 'one club, one family' ethos and having Aston Villa Ladies FC competing in the Women's Super League is a good addition to this.

"We want our fan base to be connected to the club in all its facets and the ladies team will play their part."

The eight-strong WSL has been going since 2011 when it switched from its traditional slot on the football calendar to a summer season, with Arsenal winning the title on both occasions.

This latest move is part of the FA's five-year plan to develop the game, with the governing body pledging to invest a further £3.5m over the next four years.

[Sister of fu]

Amazing news. I never actually thought that during my playing time that I would be able to represent my club at the very highest level but its now come true. Not saying I will be first choice anymore but just to be around while this happens will probably be the highlight of my career. This all coincides with City’s move to the new training complex which the ladies team will be part of. If they get this right I can see City challenging the likes of Arsenal.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Amazing news. I never actually thought that during my playing time that I would be able to represent my club at the very highest level but its now come true. Not saying I will be first choice anymore but just to be around while this happens will probably be the highlight of my career. This all coincides with City’s move to the new training complex which the ladies team will be part of. If they get this right I can see City challenging the likes of Arsenal.

That's fantastic if not a little scary news. How do you think we will compete at that level Andie? Will we need good recruitment for the ladies as well?

[Green & Blue]

Thats great news for the club.

I was watching the wsl show on espn(quite good actually) only the other day and when they were talking up the likes of Liverpool and Chelseas new signings i can't deny i did feel a bit disappointed that City were not part of it.

[Sister of fu]

Amazing news. I never actually thought that during my playing time that I would be able to represent my club at the very highest level but its now come true. Not saying I will be first choice anymore but just to be around while this happens will probably be the highlight of my career. This all coincides with City’s move to the new training complex which the ladies team will be part of. If they get this right I can see City challenging the likes of Arsenal.

That's fantastic if not a little scary news. How do you think we will compete at that level Andie? Will we need good recruitment for the ladies as well?

Yeah it is scary but also exciting for the club and for Manchester. Manchester has never had a representative at this level in women's football and all the best players from this region have had to go to the likes of Everton, Liverpool, Doncaster and Lincoln so no I am hoping that all the top talent will want to come to City.

We will need to recruit but we also have some top young talent coming through the ranks, it makes me so happy why I see the younger teams ladened with young blues. Finally the blue girls will have a top team to play for, they can kiss the badge and mean it.

[Alioune DVToure]

Amazing news. I never actually thought that during my playing time that I would be able to represent my club at the very highest level but its now come true. Not saying I will be first choice anymore but just to be around while this happens will probably be the highlight of my career. This all coincides with City’s move to the new training complex which the ladies team will be part of. If they get this right I can see City challenging the likes of Arsenal.

Have you thought/Are you thinking about getting badged up coachwise and getting into that side of things?

[Sister of fu]

Amazing news. I never actually thought that during my playing time that I would be able to represent my club at the very highest level but its now come true. Not saying I will be first choice anymore but just to be around while this happens will probably be the highlight of my career. This all coincides with City’s move to the new training complex which the ladies team will be part of. If they get this right I can see City challenging the likes of Arsenal.

Have you thought/Are you thinking about getting badged up coachwise and getting into that side of things?

Strange as it seems I am not really into coaching. Prefer to be coached than coach. We have talked before about me being some sort of ambassador when I finally stop playing.

[dazby]

Brilliant Andie. We have a national women's league here in Oz and the joy of watching it is that their are fewer egos in the game which means that passing moves get completed rather than someone deciding they are the big man and take on the whole team.

[Dameerto]

Good news indeed - how's the young lady doing that picked up the injury, by the way?

[Sister of fu]

Good news indeed - how's the young lady doing that picked up the injury, by the way?

She is fine back in training now. Should be ready to go by March.

[Cyprusblue]

Fantastic news Fu, you should be very proud of yourself.

Please keep us updated, and let us know what we can do to support the team. I'm abroad so is there any way of seeing games/highlights?

[bobby brows]

Really looking forward to this. Hope City really us their marketing power to make a decent effort of this.

[DoomMerchant]

Yeah it is scary but also exciting for the club and for Manchester. Manchester has never had a representative at this level in women's football and all the best players from this region have had to go to the likes of Everton, Liverpool, Doncaster and Lincoln so no I am hoping that all the top talent will want to come to City.

We will need to recruit but we also have some top young talent coming through the ranks, it makes me so happy why I see the younger teams ladened with young blues. Finally the blue girls will have a top team to play for, they can kiss the badge and mean it.

Let's be honest -- you know how to recruit top young talent. Get on it!!

[Dronny]

Brill news Andie!! Abs will be so keen to watch x

[carolina-blue]

Great News SOF well played Really pleased for you , Looking forwaerd to DHs training reports even more now ,,, Can you get him an ALL Access pass :)