2018–19 FA Women's Championship


The 2018–19 FA Women's Championship was the first rebranded edition of the FA Women's Championship, the second tier of women's football in England, renamed from the FA WSL 2 which was founded in 2014. The season ran from 8 September 2018 to 12 May 2019.
On 20 April 2019, Manchester United won the title, and promotion to the FA WSL, with two games to spare in their debut season after recording a 7–0 victory over Crystal Palace. Tottenham Hotspur subsequently secured second place and promotion following a 1–1 draw at Aston Villa in their penultimate fixture. Millwall Lionesses finished bottom but were spared relegation as the FA sought to expand both of the top two divisions to twelve teams each by 2019–20.

Teams

Eleven teams compete in the league. Following restructuring of the women's game in order to provide for a fully professional Women's Super League, membership of both the first and second tier is subject to a license, based on a series of off-the-field criteria. Existing WSL teams were first offered the opportunity to bid for licenses, with all applying FA WSL 2 clubs retaining their place in the second tier, except for Brighton & Hove Albion who were offered a place in the WSL. From the second tier, Oxford United and Watford did not apply for licenses.
This left up to two places in the WSL and up to five places in the Championship for applying clubs, of which one place in the Championship was reserved for the winners of the FA Women's Premier League Championship play-off, providing that club met the licensing criteria. Fifteen applications were received for both the top two tiers, and five of these applicants were accepted into the Championship: Manchester United, Lewes, Leicester City Women, Sheffield United as well as Premiership play-off winners, Charlton Athletic.
Sheffield announced on 24 June 2018 that it was withdrawing from the league ahead of the season, due to the financial commitments required by The Football Association proving too onerous. Doncaster Rovers Belles announced similarly on 12 July 2018. A place in the league was subsequently awarded to Crystal Palace.
TeamLocationGroundCapacity2017–18 season
Aston VillaTamworthThe Lamb Ground4,0009th
Charlton AthleticThamesmeadBayliss Avenue6,000, WPL South
Crystal PalaceBromleyHayes Lane5,000, WPL South
DurhamDurhamNew Ferens Park3,0004th
Leicester City WomenQuornFarley Way Stadium1,400, WPL North
LewesLewesThe Dripping Pan3,000, WPL South
London BeesCanons ParkThe Hive Stadium5,1766th
Manchester UnitedLeighLeigh Sports Village12,000
Millwall LionessesDartfordPrinces Park2,5003rd
Sheffield UnitedSheffieldOlympic Legacy Park2,000, WPL Div 1, Midlands
Tottenham HotspurCheshuntCheshunt Stadium3,0007th

Table

For the inaugural season, the top two teams will be automatically promoted subject to obtaining a licence. There will be no relegation at the end of the campaign with a view to expanding the top two tiers to twelve teams each by 2019–20.

Results

Top goalscorers

RankPlayerTeamGoals
1 Jessica SigsworthManchester United17
2 Rianna DeanTottenham Hotspur14
2 Elizabeta EjupiCharlton Athletic14
2 Lauren JamesManchester United14
2 Ella TooneManchester United14
6 Mollie GreenManchester United13
7 Kit GrahamCharlton Athletic12
8 Katie ZelemManchester United10
9 Beth HeppleDurham8
9 Jodie HuttonAston Villa8
9 Jade PennockSheffield United8

Awards

Player of the Month

Results of Player of the Month voting as polled by FA Women's Championship. Number of nominations in brackets.

LMA Manager of the Month

Results of Manager of the Month as awarded by the League Managers Association. Number of awards in brackets.
MonthManagerClub
September Karen HillsTottenham Hotspur
October Lee SandersDurham
November Casey StoneyManchester United
January Karen Hills Tottenham Hotspur
February Casey Stoney Manchester United
March Carla WardSheffield United
April Casey Stoney Manchester United