2014 FA WSL


The 2014 FA WSL was the fourth season of the FA WSL, the top-level women's football league of England. The season began on 30 March and ended on 12 October.
Liverpool L.F.C. are the defending champions from the 2013 FA WSL. The top two teams qualify for the 2015–16 UEFA Women's Champions League.
Beginning in the 2014 season, the WSL added a second division, the WSL 2. Because the divisions are interconnected, WSL 1 teams face the risk of relegation for the first time in the league's history. There is, however, no connection to the third level Women's Premier League, so WSL 2 teams cannot be relegated. WSL 1 consists of eight teams while the WSL 2 is made up of ten.
Starting places in both divisions were granted based on applications sent in by clubs, so Manchester City were able to enter its newly created women's team directly into the WSL 1. The governing body announced it will partially fund teams in the league, awarding £70,000 to clubs in WSL1 and £23,000 in WSL2.

Team changes

TeamLocationGroundManufacturerSponsors2013 WSL finish
ArsenalBorehamwoodMeadow ParkNikeEmirates3rd
Birmingham CitySolihullDamson ParkSondicoHollywood Monster4th
Bristol AcademyFiltonStoke Gifford StadiumBristol SportsDAS2nd
ChelseaStainesWheatsheaf ParkAdidasSamsung7th
Manchester CityManchesterAcademy StadiumNikeEtihad Airways12/13 Women's Premier League, 4th
EvertonWidnesHalton StadiumNikeChang Beer5th
LiverpoolWidnesHalton StadiumWarriorStandard Chartered1st
Notts County LadiesNottinghamMeadow LaneFilaPinnacle6th

TeamLocationGroundManufacturerSponsorslast season
Aston VillaSutton ColdfieldTrevor Brown Memorial GroundMacrondafabet12/13 FA Women's Premier League, 6th
Doncaster Rovers BellesDoncasterKeepmoat StadiumJakoBPP University2013 WSL, 8th
DurhamDurhamNew Ferens ParkHummelWood Estate Agentsnew team
London BeesCanons ParkThe Hive StadiumJakoStanmore College12/13 FA Women's Premier League, 10th
Millwall LionessesLondonChampion HillProtime SportsBT Sport12/13 Women’s Premier 2nd Level South, 2nd
Oxford UnitedOxfordRover Cowley Sports GroundNikePolythene UK12/13 Women's Combination South-West, 1st
ReadingTadleyBarlow's ParkPumaWaitrose12/13 Women’s Premier 2nd Level South, 1st
SunderlandHetton-le-HoleEppleton Colliery Welfare GroundAdidasBidvest12/13 FA Women's Premier League, 1st
WatfordBerkhamstedBroadwaterPumaMcGinley Support Services12/13 FA Women's Premier League, 2nd
Yeovil TownSherborneRaleigh GroveSondicoQuaedam Yeovil Shopping12/13 Women’s Premier 2nd Level South, 3rd

FA WSL 1

Liverpool retained the title on goal difference, after they and Chelsea finished level on 26 points. Everton were relegated to the WSL 2 for the 2015 season after 21 years as a top flight club.

Table

Results

Top scorers

FA WSL 2

The Doncaster Rovers Belles challenged for promotion until the final day, due to a 2-1 win over Sunderland. Sunderland won the inaugural WSL 2 on the final day, with a 4-0 win over Millwall Lionesses.

Table

Results

Top scorers

FA WSL Cup

The 2014 edition of the FA WSL Cup sees 18 teams play for the title. Teams are divided into three groups of six. The group winners plus the best runners-up advance to the semi-finals. Arsenal are the defending champions. The cup is played along with the season, the first matches are held on 30 April 2014.

Group 1

Arsenal advanced as best runners-up, having more points than the other second placed teams.

Group 2

Group 3

Knockout stage

Semi-finals were drawn after the group stage and not predetermined. All teams play in the WSL 1. Arsenal reached their fourth final in as many years and meet Manchester City.

Final

' Adams Park was to stage the final match. The match was broadcast live on BT Sport.