By Ella McShane (8/9/25)
Above: WSL2 teams. Photo: FA/WSL website.
The development of professionalism across all tiers of English women’s football is projected to make the 2025/26 season one of the most dynamic and competitive to date.
With a record number of star signings, brand new integrative infrastructure, and clubs now hungrier than ever to secure one of the three promotion spots up for grabs; you could easily argue that the WSL 2 will be one of the most competitive leagues, not only in England, but Europe.
Impetus spoke with players from multiple WSL 2 clubs, gaining insight as to what they have been doing on and off the pitch during preseason to ensure they are prepared for what is guaranteed to be an action-packed season ahead.
Bristol City
After two difficult seasons, relegation from the WSL in 2023/24 and missing out on the top spots in WSL 2 last term, Bristol City enter 2025/26 needing a turnaround to re-establish themselves as contenders. Star signings such as Sophie Ingle from Chelsea and Champions League winner Vicky Losada, make a statement about the club’s commitment to a turn around.
Fran Bentley
“[We are] just being as professional as we can, our days are longer and our sessions are harder to make sure we can compete at that level, [because] we know that there’s not just going to be one team doing well”
“Going for that promotion that everyone has to push every week and every day and it’s really going to be tough to compete, but everyone’s doing all they can.”
Bristol City kick off their WSL 2 campaign at St Andrews against Birmingham City
Charlton Athletic
Despite significant player turn over, Charlton enter this season as one of the top contenders for promotion. Having finished third with only four points separating them from promotion contenders Birmingham City, their established leadership and cohesive club culture promise the Addicks an exciting season.
Sophie Whitehouse
“This preseason we’re definitely trying to get to know each other a lot better…when you go through the hard moments, that’s what you rely on.”
“Every team is competitive and very good at football. So, in the games, you kind of need the other side of it, like the mental side. So that’s what we’ve been working on a lot this preseason… getting to know each other. [Knowing] why they’re here, why they’re playing, so that you can push them to be their best”
Durham
Durham’s squad is composed of an exciting mix of experienced internationals and emerging talents. Having made a significant five place jump in the league standings and finishing fourth in the league last season, Durham is predicted to be promotion contenders if they are able to build on last seasons positive run.
Cat Sheppard
“I think that a big emphasis for us is on team…getting our team chemistry right and getting our team culture right. And I think everything else will fall into place…focusing on us as a team and a unit and that’s what matters most”
Ipswich Town
Ipswich secured promotion to the WSL 2 last season after topping the table in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division. The blues will have a new home at JobServe Community stadium in Colchester, which boasts a 10,105 capacity.
Nat Negri
“We know that we’re going to have some competitive games and we know that is probably going to be a different challenge.”
“We’re going to take each week as it comes and we’re not going to expect anything from each day, whether or not it’s going to be a top end team or a bottom end”
Nottingham Forest
The Reds were crowned champions of the FA Women’s National League (FAWNL) following an unbeaten season. Despite it being their inaugural season, the Reds have already made their mark on the WSL 2 with star signings and ambition at the forefront of their 2025/26 campaign.
Amy Claypole
“The level’s going to be really, really high. As players, we have to up the training intensity, the quality, again, moving in with the professionalism as it’s growing”.
“We’re obviously doing extras; the training is increasing more. The demand is more. But I think that’s what you want as a player. You want it to be at the highest level possible and to have as much competition as possible”.
Portsmouth
The 2024-25 was Portsmouth’s inaugural season in the WSL 2 (then Championship) and the Pompey endured a campaign of two contrasting halves. If they can harness the momentum built in the latter stages of 2024/25, Pompey look set for a far more prosperous season ahead.
Hannah Coan
“We’ve got a really good group of players just trying to re switch on, do as much as we can on the pitch, off the pitch, analysing games, and just working as hard as we possibly can.”
“We know we don’t want to start the year, how we did last year, so we kind of just need to stay concentrated, focus on ourselves, and go from there.”
Sheffield United
Sheffield United come into this season with everything to prove. Finishing at the bottom of the table last season, the retention of their spot in the league was only made possible by the withdrawal of Blackburn Rovers due to financial constraints.
Connie Scofield
“I had a good off season, rested a little bit, and then we know that it’s going to be a really competitive this season.”
“There’s a lot of teams fighting to go up. So we’re just working hard and training every day and pushing each other and really building the connections, because we’re quite a new team”
Southampton
Following a four-place drop in the league standings between the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons, Southampton knew ambition was essential if they were to compete. With a reset in leadership and balanced summer signings, they look well-positioned for an improved WSL 2 campaign.
Amy Goddard
“[we are doing] everything [we] can. You know, whether that comes from preparation and that comes from, you know, performing weekend, week in week out.”
“I think we’ve got a good group of girls and we’re ready to go and be solid and put on performances for our fans.”
Sunderland
Once giants in the women’s game, Sunderland have everything to regain in what is guaranteed to be the historically competitive season ahead. The team finished at a neutral seventh place last season but are consistently mentioned in some of the most attended fixtures in the calendar. With young talent plentiful and a strong squad, Sunderland have backing for a what could potentially be a re-establishing season.
Katy Watson
“The standard of the game’s gone up a lot in the past few years, and it’s a lot more intense, so obviously, training’s a lot harder than it used to be. We’re doing a lot more running, so we can be the fittest team in the league.
“We’re trying to block out the noise, all the pressure…we’re not changing anything, just going into with how we always would.”
Birmingham City, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United were not in attendance at media day.
The opening round of fixtures featured the following results:
Sheffield United 0 – 4 Sunderland
Southampton 4 – 0 Ipswich Town
Portsmouth 0 – 2 Durham
Birmingham City 5 – 1 Bristol City
Nottingham Forest 1 – 2 Newcastle United
Charlton Athletic 1 – 0 Crystal Palace
The next round of fixtures take place next weekend. Fixtures are as follows:
Durham v Charlton Athletic
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Newcastle United v Sheffield United
Sunderland v Birmingham City
Ipswich Town v Nottingham Forest
Bristol City v Portsmouth
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