Ornella Vignola: WSL Player Spotlight
Ornella Vignola is a twenty-year-old midfielder/winger for Everton FC Women.
A versatile attacking threat, she combines pace and direct running with a calm finishing touch. On her Barclays Women’s Super League debut for the Toffees, she announced herself with a historic Merseyside derby hat-trick. This instantly recognised her as a young player to watch this season.
Vignola has represented the Spanish national team at youth level and is now pushing for a breakthrough into the senior national team.
Mary Bashford: WSL 2 Player Spotlight
Mary Bashford is a twenty-year-old midfielder for Southampton FC Women This summer she joined the Saints on a permanent deal from Charlton Athletic.
Known for her energy and composure in central areas, she is comfortable on the ball and presses aggressively to drive at the opposition.
Offering balance in midfield, she links play between defence and attack. Still developing her game, Bashford is regarded as one of Southampton's young players capable of stepping up as the club continues to push forward in the women's game.
Bethany England leads Spurs to three points as WSL debutants shine
Tottenham Hotspur Women began their 2025/26 Barclays Women's Super League campaign with a narrow win over rivals West Ham United at Brisbane Road.
With 1,735 fans in attendance, this opening weekend London derby was highly anticipated. The Lilywhites secured all three points, thanks to a late penalty converted by captain, Bethany England.
Spurs entered the season aiming to bounce back after a challenging 2024/25, where they finished eleventh place. The team sought to revitalise their performances and build momentum for the new campaign, following the appointment of new and experienced head coach, Martin Ho.
Southampton slot four past Ipswich Town in Parker’s dream opener
A crowd of 3,896 travelled to St Mary’s Stadium for Southampton's opening fixture in the Barclays Women’s Super League 2 against newly promoted Ipswich Town.
Last season, Ipswich finished top of the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division by six points, with an impressive +79 goal difference.
The last meeting between these two sides was a mere three years ago in the FA Women’s Premier League Premier Division, with a 2-1 win for Southampton. The Saints will be looking for history to repeat itself.
Martin Ho full of ambition as his first WSL campaign with Tottenham Hotspur is on the horizon
Tottenham Hotspur FC Women will be looking to bounce back from last season’s disappointing eleventh place finish. They begin the new WSL season with a London Derby against West Ham at Brisbane Road.
Ahead of their match, recently appointed manager Martin Ho addressed the media to explain his plans going forward.
London City Lionesses: WSL Preview
The Underdogs of the season are coming in hot, determined to make their mark.
London City Lionesses have been the talk of the summer. Promoted from the second tier of the Barclays Women’s Super League, formerly known as the Barclays Women’s Championship, decisions made by the club during preseason caused all eyes to be focused on them.
Michele Kang, owner of the club is not messing around when it comes to the transfer market. Throughout the summer, the club have secured a variety of new signings: from older, more skilled and experienced players to young, talented players with lots of potential.
Arsenal FC Women: WSL preview
As the 2025/26 football season begins this weekend, Arsenal are hoping for another successful run in the Barclays Women Super League.
This is their second season under manager, Renée Slegers, who drives the spirit and mentality of the team. Following a tough few months for the north London side, Slegers was called upon to revive their spark: she did just that and more.
Manchester City Women: WSL preview
The blue side of Manchester are consecutive contenders to challenge for the top three in the Barclays Women’s Super League. In 2016, they secured the title of league winners; they want to do this again. This ambition will not change as Manchester City head into the 2025/26 season.
The team is one to watch during the season upon us, due to their standout players and strong chemistry on and off the pitch. The team will participate in three competitions this season: the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, the Subway Women’s League Cup and the WSL.
Sonia Bompastor previews title defence opener against Manchester City
Chelsea FC Women begin their Barclays Women’s Super League title defence this weekend with a blockbuster opener against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Ahead of the clash, manager Sonia Bompastor addressed the media to set the tone for the season ahead.
Southampton FC Women: WSL 2 preview
First formed in 1970 (unaffiliated with the men’s team), Southampton FC Women won the WFA Cup (now Women’s FA Cup) eight times. However, due to financial issues within the men’s team, the club withdrew support for the women’s team. Thankfully, under new ownership, the women were able to thrive again.
In the 2018/19 season, they played in the Southern Region Premier Division and were crowned champions with a perfect campaign of eighteen wins. Southampton managed to win the Southern Region Women’s Football League Cup, adding another trophy to their cabinet.
Since then, Southampton Women have risen to the second tier of English football, the Barclays WSL 2 (formerly known as the Barclay’s Women’s Championship). Their home matches are played at St Mary’s Stadium.
Brighton & Hove Albion Women: WSL preview
Brighton & Hove Albion Women had a rather successful 2024/25 season, finishing fifth place in the Barclays Women’s Super League. The club secured eight wins, four draws, and ten losses, having scored thirty-five goals and conceded forty-one goals.
Under head coach, Dario Vidošić, Brighton is a promising side. Typically, they play a possession-based game, integrating attacking movements through fluidity and direct passing up the field.
Chelsea FC Women: WSL preview
Chelsea is a dominant force in the Barclays Women's Super League; a legacy built during the Emma Hayes era.
Her departure in 2024 marked the beginning of a fresh chapter under new head coach, Sonia Bompastor, whose arrival heralded a new style of play, tactical formations, and a dynamic influx of talent.
The Blues have a rich history of success. Since 2015, Chelsea has dominated the WSL with eight league titles, six of these being won consecutively. Hayes influenced this decade of dominance for the London side, Bompastor will continue this legacy.
Liverpool FC Women: WSL Preview
Liverpool FC Women play their home games at the Wicked Stadium in St Helens. The club recently appointed former Manchester City head coach, Gareth Taylor as manager, with the immediate aim of securing their place in the Barclays Women’s Super League this season.
Liverpool have been re-establishing themselves as a competitive top-flight side after their back-to-back league titles in 2013 and 2014, followed by relegation in 2020. Since returning to the WSL in 2022, they targeted consistent mid-table finishes while strengthening the squad to push toward European qualification.
The need for further diversity and inclusivity in women’s football
England is not just white: it is a spectrum of races and identities
With the growth of women's football and even in its early stages, a major positive of the game has been the space that it creates for minority groups, particularly for women and the intersection that has with the LGBTQIA+ community.
There is no doubt that the creation of such spaces and events should be celebrated… However, an issue that lies in the game and extends to the media and events that surround it, is race. It is something that has been witnessed on multiple occasions.
As the women’s game grows, these issues should arguably become more apparent and as a result resolutions are put in place, or at least that should be the case, but it most certainly is not.
The PFA Awards 2025: spotlighting some of the greatest names in domestic English football
The PFA awards took place on Tuesday 19th August to champion the footballing talent in the English leagues. These annual awards represent the growth of the sport and recognise some of the most successful individuals throughout the 2024/25 season.
With several Barclays Women’s Super League stars on the red carpet, the list of nominees showcases the prowess and talent of the league on the global stage.
Norwich City Women: 2025/26 season preview
As we head into the 2025/26 season, Norwich City kick off their season in Division One South East against Actonians at The Nest on Sunday. The start of an exciting season for an ambitious squad.
As a team, they set some clear goals ahead of the season: promotion being the main one. The club have taken a massive step to build a strong and passionate team, willing to fight for the top spot in the league.
England forward Nikita Parris signs for London City Lionesses
England international Nikita Parris has left Brighton and Hove Albion following the expiration of her contract. She is joining London City Lionesses, on the back of their promotion to the Barclays Women’s Super League.
Parris joined the Seagulls from Manchester United on deadline day in September 2024. She made an immediate impact, scoring on her first league start, just two minutes into a WSL match against Aston Villa. She then went on to net twelve goals in twenty-eight appearances across all competitions.
From Brasília to the bright lights: the rise of Kerolin Nicoli
Kerolin Nicoli’s journey to the pinnacle of women’s football is anything but ordinary. Born in Brasília, Brazil’s vibrant capital, she experienced a childhood shaped by financial struggles and a serious health scare that nearly ended her career before it began.
Despite these challenges, she developed a deep love for football — playing barefoot with boys on the streets and later sharpening her coordination through capoeira. Even then, it was clear she had something special: a blend of raw talent and quiet determination that set her apart.
The importance of young talent on the bench to create a squad of European Champions
The talent goes beyond those starting on the pitch
Following the Lionesses victory in the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, it was clear that every single player was key to their success. Although only eleven are on the pitch at once, all twenty-three play a part in lifting the EURO trophy.
Looking back on 2022, players including Alessia Russo and Ella Toone were used as impact substitutes; they changed the game in the second half. Now, they are regular starters in a squad of European Champions.
How becoming back-to-back European Champions impacts the nation
Now that the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 is over, the Lionesses are trailblazers in women’s football.
Memories of the summer of 2022 are back, as the nation once again witnesses a European trophy lift. Becoming European Champions for the first time impacted the nation, but becoming European Champions for the second time has created an even stronger legacy.
How much have Sarina Wiegman’s England side impacted the future of women’s football? And how did they repeat history once again this summer?