FA reveal 16 clubs applied for Women's Super League

December 21 – Sixteen clubs have applied to the Football Association to become part of the new FA Women’s Super League, that is due to launch in March 2011, they announced today.

Subject to clubs meeting the required criteria, an optimum eight licences will be offered to the strongest applicants by March 2010, giving all clubs a full 12 months to prepare for the launch of The League.

Arsenal Ladies, Barnet, Birmingham City Ladies FC, Bristol Academy Women’s, Chelsea Ladies, Colchester United Ladies, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Everton Ladies, Leeds Carnegie Ladies, Leicester City, Lincoln City, Liverpool, Millwall Lionesses, Newcastle United Women’s, Nottingham Forest and Sunderland Women’s all met Friday’s deadline to lodge their applications.

As well as 10 of the current Premier League’s 12 teams, four are from the Northern Division and two from the Southern Division, including current leaders Barnet.

Tracy Kevins, Barnet’s manager, said: ”Together with the men’s club and other partners we’ve put together a very strong bid.

“We’ve got a playing squad that, with one or two additions, would be able to compete at the top level and off the pitch the backing we get is excellent.

“We are very confident.”

Ian Watmore, the FA’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted with the number of bids we have received from clubs who wish to be part of The Women’s Super League in this country.

“This is a very strong indication that the vision we have of creating an elite League that will take our domestic game to a higher level is shared by many people within women’s football.

“We now have to work hard to ensure we have a comprehensive and thorough review process of all bids received and we look forward to announcing the successful clubs in 2010.”

Sally Horrox, the FA’s bid coordinator, hinted that the licences will be spread around the country to help stimulate interest.

She said: ”A good geographical spread would be ideal but commercial sustainability will be vital and on the playing side we want clubs who can make this a world-class league.”