Are Watford Here to Stay?

Newly promoted Watford FC are looking to cement their place in the Women's Super League 2 (WSL2) with new investors and a statement transfer window that makes The Hornets a very different prospect from their previous WSL2 campaigns.

Winners of the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division by one point last season, this is not the club's first stint in the WSL2 (formally Championship). They were a Championship side between 2014-2018 before relegation to the third tier, then having two one season promotion bouts in the 2021/22 and 2023/24 campaign but went straight back down to the National League again.

The Golden Girls, spurned on by a standout 2025/26 season, an award winning manager and a move to the club's main stadium, will hope to break this relegation cycle and maybe even compete for more glory in the seasons to come.

New Home, New Investment

Watford have announced that they will play all their home games at Vicarage Road, the club's 21,577 capacity main stadium. The team lifted their National League South trophy at The Vic, and with a statement 5-0 run out against Exeter City on the turf last March, the club will hope to continue their winning ways for 2026/27 in front of a passionate home crowd in a familiar environment.

Helen Ward, former Wales international, Golden Girl and now Head of Women’s Football is delighted about the move:

“It suits us as a team because of the way we play, and having a home that the fans are familiar with, where we can showcase what we are all about, is fantastic for the players and staff It’s also an incredible opportunity for us to try and bring more fans to our home games, and provide them with a really brilliant matchday experience.“

Continuing the changes ahead of their season in tier two, Watford are set to be taken over by investment platform Pitch15, a global fund dedicated to advancing women's sport. Selling the side but keeping the branding, identity and environment of Watford FC, allows for increased investment without the financial restrictions of their Men’s Championship playing side. The Hornets are one of many clubs that would struggle to independently sustain the financial investment to their women's side as they enter a new tier, amidst the rapidly fast moving rise of the game. Entering the WSL2 means all players have to be on a minimum salary and a professional contract, reportedly quadrupling the clubs budget for £4 million a year. This dedicated investment allows for further growth, already evidenced in their move to Vicarage Road. Chelsea and Bristol City are two clubs already under the same model, keeping their club identity whilst independently financed by investors, demonstrating the marketability and financial appeal of women's football today and allowing for a more sustainable and competitive game.

Award Winning Renée Hector Carving Out A Statement Squad

Premier Division Manager of the Year Renée Hector will lead Watford into the WSL2 for the first time since taking over the first team in July 2024 and is assembling a squad to keep them there.

The Golden Girls saw six depart at the end of last season including center back Anne Meiwald who had 129 caps to her name in her 7 years at the club. The 2022/23 promotion winning player of the match Drè Georgiou also departs, the midfielder joined by forward Annie Rossiter ending their 4 year stint in Watford. Sophie McLean also played a big role in the squad previous two promotions, scoring 7 goals in 62 appearances, whilst forward Freda Ayisi exits after a year in yellow scoring a striking 9 goals in 20. Twenty year old defender Daisy Hind also says her goodbyes whilst goalkeeper Sophie Hillyerd returned to her parent club London City Lionesses.

The Hornets had a lot to do but with eight new faces already through the door by the end of July, this transfer window is a statement of intent for the newly promoted side, ready to change their fortunes and compete in WSL2.

Fans will love to see the return of last year's Young Player of the Season Eva Gray, the wing-back making her contract permanent after spending last season on dual registration from Arsenal. The 18 year old made an impression in yellow, assisting 8 goals and rejoins the Golden Girls following her departure from Arsenal’s Academy and is certainly one to watch as she develops permanently in Watford. Another England youth international, the versatile left center-back Zara Bailey joins from Tottenham Hotspur.

Ellie Noble,Tianna Teisar and Phoebe Poole join the Golden Girls from Premier Division South runners-up Plymouth Argyle. Noble won Players Player of the Season and Goal for the Season for the Pilgrims whilst Welsh International forward Poole scored 16 goals in 30 matches. Fellow Welsh star Teisar won Young Player of the Season last year for Argyle where she was on loan from Bristol City, even scoring a goal to end Watford’s 19 game unbeaten streak last campaign. They are a formidable trio to watch out for.

Defender Hannah Greenwood makes the move south from WSL2 side Newcastle United. Speedy and versatile, she can play in the midfield and has three years experience in the league. Striker Saoirse Noonan joins the Golden Girls from Scottish Women’s Cup winners Celtic, the Republic of Ireland International is a prolific playmaker netting 57 goals in 74 appearances for the Glasgow side, including five hat-tricks.

Shopping in the Charlton Athletic mass exodus, experienced winger Karin Muya also joins the side after helping the Addicks to promotion. The 31 year-old made her WSL debut for Chelsea in 2013 scoring a goal against Everton. Experienced goalkeeper Demi Lambourne also joins the Golden Girls from Sunderland and has previously helped Crystal Palace and Leicester City to WSL promotion.

Watford have gained a wealth of experience, alongside exciting youth prospects, in hopes of propelling them towards safety and becoming a WSL2 mainstay.

Ones to Watch:

Known for a possession based style of play, they scored a record 80 goals across last season's campaign, with a defense that only conceded 24, The Golden Girls feels like an apt name for a team only on the rise.

Usually bolstering their side with Hale End talent, Watford and Arsenal have a unique partnership developing young stars with Michelle Agyemang, Katie Reid and Laila Harbert all having a stint in yellow. Returnee Gray and midfielder Ava Kuyken will play a key role for Watford this season after graduating from North London and making the move to The Hornets.

Players Player of the Season and Supporters Player of the Season Maddison Pery is certainly a star in front of goal, scoring 25 in 30 games and assisting 10, the most in the Division. The 20 year old will certainly be one to look out for as the team transitions into the second tier with the illustrious number 9 looking to get even more on the scoresheet in the WSL2.

A promotion derby kicks off the 2026/27 WSL2 season as Watford take on Northern Premier Division winners Burnley for a Friday night under the lights at Vicarage Road. The game will take place at 7:30pm on the 4th September streamed live on YouTube.