The Barclays FA Women’s Super League has reached one of its first significant landmarks as today marks the ten-year anniversary of the league’s launch.
To celebrate the anniversary, The FA is launching its first FA Women’s Super League Hall of Fame, which will be sponsored by Barclays, that will look to recognise those individuals who have made a significant impact on the league. Whether that be a Golden Boot winner, a Championship winning coach, or an individual who has displayed excellence or leadership during the league’s existence, induction into the Barclays FA WSL Hall of Fame will be reserved for an exclusive group each year, honouring their contribution to the league.
An induction event will take place later in the year and an expert panel will create a shortlist of nominees before determining who will be the first inductees.
The launch of the Hall of Fame will double up as a celebration and acknowledgement of the ten-year anniversary of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League, which has seen significant development since its inaugural season.
On this day in 2011, Chelsea and Arsenal stepped onto the field at Tooting & Mitcham Football Club to kick-off the very first match in the league, with Arsenal’s Gilly Flaherty scoring the first goal in a 1-0 win in front of 2,510 fans.
What has followed has been a ten-year journey that started with an eight team, semi-professional competition, that has developed into a fully professional 12 team league with added exposure and an ever-increasing audience. Albion won promotion to the WSL in 2017.
Teams have gone full-time, players have become household names, and some of the best talent has come through the England pathway, as well as from abroad. Barclays showed their commitment to the league when they became title sponsor ahead of the 2019/2020 season, while the BBC and BT Sport have shone a light on the competition with their coverage. In addition, the league was made more accessible than ever with the launch of the FA Player in August 2019, which provides live streams, highlights and features from across the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.
Fans have played a significant part in the league’s growth, with crowds growing over the ten years, including a record attendance of 38,262 for last season’s North London derby.
Albion have a win percentage of 25.5 from their 55 WSL games, 29 of which have been at home where their points per game is 1.07 compared to 0.85 away.
Goalkeeper Megan Walsh has made more saves in the WSL than anyone else with 450 including spells at previous clubs. Among the top ten most tackles made are Victoria Williams in ninth with 266 and Dani Bowman on 256 in tenth place.
Kelly Simmons, FA Director of the Women’s Professional Game, said: “I could never have envisaged the league having been on such a journey of growth and development when we launched it ten years ago. The support we have received from clubs, stakeholders, the media and fans has been overwhelming.
“The launch of the Barclays FA WSL Hall of Fame is designed to recognise those who have made a major contribution to the league over the last ten years. I am delighted that Barclays will be supporting it, and I am really excited to have our first induction later this year.”
Albion are back in action this Sunday when they entertain Bristol City in the Vitality FA Cup, kick off 2pm. Their next WSL fixture is away to Arsenal on 24th April.