Fifty-two Women's National League clubs sent a signed letter to the Football Association on Thursday, opposing plans to introduce WSL academy teams into the third tier.
The letter said that the proposals are "morally wrong" and that the FAWNL have shown a "complete lack of respect" for players and staff who have fought for promotion, according to BBC Sport.
The clubs are challenging the board’s decision and have requested a special general meeting (SGM) with the FA.
Why The FA Wants WSL Academy Teams In Tier Three
The FA announced their plans to introduce four WSL academy teams into the third tier of the WNL from 2027.
Sue Day, Director of Women’s Football at The FA said: “The purpose of these proposals is to futureproof the women’s game. We believe they will raise standards across the Women’s National League and increase meaningful competitive minutes for young English players.”
“We are approaching a crucial turning point,” she added. “Too many talented young players are not getting the competitive minutes they need to develop, and without action, that risks holding back the future of the sport.”
Only 30 per cent of WSL players are English, compared to 60 per cent in 2017/18. Homegrown English teenagers only played 4322 minutes in the WSL, which is less than a third played by their counterparts in France, Germany and Spain. This creates problems for young players breaking into Lionesses.
Mrs Day said: “A stronger pathway produces better players and strengthens the national team, which in turn fuels the growth and visibility of the game at every level.”
She said that no decisions have been made at this stage and consultation is still ongoing.
Why Women's National League Clubs Are Opposing The Proposal
The letter signed by fifty-two Women's National League clubs strongly objects the proposals and claims that board representatives did not consult their clubs.
Former Women's National League chair Carol West wrote on X: “The vast majority of clubs do not want PGA [Professional Game Academy] teams in their league but have repeatedly been denied their democratic right to vote to formalise this once and for all. Instead, they’ve been told it’s happening regardless which is wrong.”
Kevin Foster, outgoing manager of tier three side AFC Wimbledon, said: “It will stop the lower end clubs from being able to progress and push forward and have success.”
“It's about making sure that just because you're not one of the big names, you still have that opportunity to be able to progress through and play and you’re not hampered by teams that can't move up,” he added.
He suggested that allowing clubs to loan players to existing clubs in tier three would be a fairer system.
He said that the gap between women’s football leagues and the teams within them is widening.
In tier three, some teams are going full-time while others train after their full-time jobs, which means teams like AFC Wimbledon must “punch above their weight.”
There is a fear among existing WNL teams that adding WSL Academies, who have lots of resources, will only widen that gap.
Sue Day, Director of Women’s Football at The FA said: “We would not be putting these proposals forward unless we believed they are vital to securing the long-term success of women’s football.”
