Women's National League North
Third-level English women's football league
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Women's National League North, currently known as the FA Women's National League North, is a football league at the third tier of women's football in England. Together with the National League South, the two leagues form the highest division of the National League.
| |
| Founded | 1991 |
|---|---|
| Country | England |
| Number of clubs | 12 |
| Level on pyramid | 3 |
| Promotion to | Women's Super League 2 |
| Relegation to | Division One North Division One Midlands |
| Domestic cup | Women's FA Cup |
| League cups | |
| Current champions | Nottingham Forest (2nd title) (2024–25) |
| Most championships | Aston Villa Blackburn Rovers (4 titles) |
| Website | womenscompetitions.thefa.com |
| Current: 2025–26 FA Women's National League | |
Established in 1991 as the WFA National League Northern Division, before a name change to the FA Premier League Northern Division in 1994, the league, along with the Southern Division, formed the second tier of women's football until 2010. The league champion was promoted to the National Division, while the bottom two teams were originally relegated to the regional leagues, prior to the introduction of the Combination Leagues in 1998. After the introduction of the Women's Super League, the National Division became the second tier, and the Northern and Southern Divisions became the third tier.
In 2014, the fourth tier Combination Leagues became part of the FA Women's Premier League. Rebranded as the Premier Leagues 'Division One', the champions of Division One North and Division One Midlands feed into the Northern Division. The league received its current name and branding in 2018.
History
Originally known as the WFA National League Northern Division, Bronte were the inaugural second level champions.[1] Liverpool, having won the 2009–10 season, became the last second level champions.[2] After the introduction of the Women's Super League in 2011, the league became the third level of woman's football. Aston Villa won the 2010–11 season, becoming the first third level champions.[3]
For the 2014–15 season, the Women's Premier League incorporated the fourth tier Combination Leagues as the Premier League's 'Division One', with Division One North and Division One Midlands feeding into the Northern Division.[4] Promotion to the second tier was also reintroduced, with the winners of the Northern and Southern Divisions playing each other in a single play-off match at a neutral venue, the winner becoming the overall Women's Premier League/National League champion, and promoted to the WSL 2.[5]
Prior to the 2018–19 season, the league was renamed as the FA Women's National League North,[6] part of a complete rebrand of the women's pyramid.[7] Blackburn Rovers won the inaugural edition of the rebranded league.[8] On 1 May 2022, Division One North club Newcastle United set a new league attendance record of 22,134.[9] The club beat their own record on 16 April 2023, with an attendance of 24,092.[10] Beginning with the 2023–24 season, it was decided that both the Northern and Southern Division champions would be automatically promoted to the Championship.[11]
Clubs
The following twelve clubs are competing in the 2025–26 season.
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 Location of clubs for the 2025–26 season
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Results
Northern Division
- Notes
- League goals only.
Division One
| Season | Division One North | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | Guiseley Vixens | Liverpool Feds |
| 2015–16 | Middlesbrough | Liverpool Feds |
| 2016–17 | Guiseley Vixens | Liverpool Feds |
| 2017–18 | Hull City | Brighouse Town |
| 2018–19 | Burnley | Brighouse Town |
| 2019–20 | Not awarded (COVID-19 pandemic) | |
| 2020–21 | Not awarded (COVID-19 pandemic) | |
| 2021–22 | Liverpool Feds | Newcastle United |
| 2022–23 | Newcastle United | Durham Cestria |
| 2023–24 | Hull City | Middlesbrough |
| 2024–25 | Middlesbrough | Cheadle Town |
| Division One Midlands | Runners-up |
|---|---|
| Loughborough Foxes | Leicester City |
| Leicester City | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | Loughborough Foxes |
| Loughborough Foxes | Burton Albion |
| West Bromwich Albion | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| Not awarded (COVID-19 pandemic) | |
| Not awarded (COVID-19 pandemic) | |
| Boldmere St. Michaels | Doncaster Rovers |
| Stourbridge | Doncaster Rovers |
| Sporting Khalsa | Loughborough Lightning |
| Loughborough Lightning | Northampton Town |