We are excited to bring back our popular FA Women’s National League (FA WNL) Teams of the Season! Originally inspired by the NBA’s Eastern and Western Conference All-Star teams, we initially thought it would be fun to create our own FA WNL North and South All-Star lineups. This evolved to include a team for each division from the fourth tier.
It was a hit last time, and we received lots of positive feedback, so we have revived the idea. The only rule when selecting our squads was that each starting XI can only include a maximum of two players from any single club, though a third player may be included among the substitutes.
Compiling these teams is always a challenge for several reasons, the primary one being limited access to full match footage. Outside of goal highlights, comprehensive coverage is scarce, making it difficult to evaluate performances across the league in depth. We’ve sought to overcome this by welcoming fans, players and staff from clubs in every division to have an input.
Another difficulty lies in working within the selection criteria. Much like putting together a fantasy football team, tough decisions have to be made, sometimes, that means leaving out a top player to obtain a balanced team.
While this is ultimately intended to be a bit of fun, the Teams of the Season also serve to recognise and celebrate the achievements of the players and clubs involved.
It’s been an exciting campaign across the divisions, filled with memorable stories.
Nottingham Forest and AFC Bournemouth both went unbeaten and earned well-deserved promotions to the Barclays Women’s Championship and the Southern Premier Division, respectively.
Meanwhile, Leafield Athletic enjoyed a remarkable turnaround under the guidance of Tash Tezgel, climbing from a ninth-place finish in 2023/24 to an impressive fourth this season — a staggering improvement of 30 points compared to just 12 months ago.
While Cheadle Town Stringers pushed Middlesbrough all the way in their debut season, before having to settle for a very credible second-place finish by goal difference.
But now, for the part you came for, the teams…
FA Women’s National League – Northern Premier
Nottingham Forest were deserving champions, completing an unbeaten season while scoring 79 goals and conceding just eight. Unsurprisingly, their dominance is reflected in this squad selection.
Leading the line in a classic 4-4-2 formation is their forward, Mel Johnson. She is joined by fellow Golden Boot winner Charlotte Greengrass, who impressed for Forest’s nearest rivals, Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Featured Player: Despite Stourbridge’s relegation, Harriet Grimshaw earned widespread recognition for her exceptional performances, collecting nine Opposition Player of the Season awards. Her efforts were further honoured when she was named Player of the Year at the FA WNL Awards — a testament to her quality even in a struggling side.
Last Time Out: Millie Ravening and Tami George return to dictate play in midfield, with Charlotte Greengrass taking on a more advanced role after being previously named in the middle of the park. Golden Glove winner Emily Batty retains her place in goal, while Anna Morphet also returns to the lineup.
FA Women’s National League – Southern Premier
Having flirted with promotion for a number of years, Joe Sheehan’s Ipswich Town team finally secured a place in the Barclays WSL2, and they did so in style, finishing six points clear of their nearest rivals, Hashtag United, with a remarkable goal difference of +79.
It was a torrid year for MK Dons at the foot of the table. Following last summer’s exodus, their young side tried to put up a brave fight, but many players were promoted to the first team prematurely. At the same time, the instability off the pitch would not have helped. Billericay Town filled the other relegation spot; they have been granted a reprieve and will compete in the third tier again next season.
Given the wealth of attacking talent at their disposal, it was only natural for the team to play to their strengths with a dynamic front three of Natasha Thomas, Ashlee Hinks, and Sophie Gillies. The addition of Golden Boot winner Sophie Peskett in midfield only adds to their firepower, making them a constant threat going forward. Coupled with a solid defensive foundation, this side not only promises goals in abundance but also ensures that opportunities for their opponents will be few and far between.
There will be no Cecily Wellesley-Smith next time out as she’s completed a move from Oxford United to Women’s Super League side, Arsenal.
Featured Player: When speaking to players, coaches, and fans around the division, one name came up time and again: Sophie Baigent. The Hashtag United midfielder was a constant presence, earning eleven Opposition Player of the Season awards in just twenty-seven appearances.
Last Time Out: It’s a fresh-looking side this time, with Watford captain Megan Chandler the only returning player from 2022/23.
Division One North
The standout story of the season in this division was undoubtedly the rise of Cheadle Town Stingers. In 2023/24, the Stingers fulfilled their long-standing ambition by winning the North West Women’s Regional Football League Premier Division, securing a richly deserved promotion to the FA Women’s National League.
The season kicked off with a dramatic encounter between Stingers and Middlesbrough, with the Teessiders edging a narrow 1–0 victory. That result would prove pivotal: the two teams finished level on points, but it was Middlesbrough who clinched the title and promotion on goal difference, leaving the Stingers heartbreakingly close to glory.
York City found a new hero in Ocean Rolandsen, who quickly became a fan favourite after relocating north for work. Her vital goals from midfield were instrumental in helping the club steer clear of relegation and securing the North Riding County Cup with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough Reserves at the Riverside Stadium.
Featured Player: Bianca Owens was a standout for Norton & Stockton Ancients. While football is always a team effort, her extraordinary tally of 27 goals in 27 matches was crucial in securing the club’s safety. Her impact didn’t go unnoticed as she was named Opposition Player of the Match an impressive eight times.
Last Time Out: It’s a complete overhaul this year, with no players from the 2022/23 squad making the cut.
Division One Midlands
After the heartache of missing out on promotion in 2024/25 to Sporting Khalsa on goal difference, Loughborough Lightning bounced back in style—winning the division without tasting defeat.
Interestingly, Lightning achieved this feat while rotating three goalkeepers: Alicia Grimmond, Teresa Murphy, and Ash Naismith. The trio delivered the best defensive record in the league, conceding only ten goals, while the team scored a whopping eighty-five.
Given that impressive goal difference, some might find it surprising that none of Lightning’s top scorers start in our team. However, with the outstanding form of Jade Bell (Northampton Town) and Jodie Michalska (Barnsley Women), we felt the balance of a strong forward line was better served this way.
Under the guidance of Tash Tezgel, Leafield completely turned its fortunes around. Their fourth-place finish came with a remarkable improvement—thirty more points than in 2023/24.
Featured Player: It has to be Northampton Town’s Jade Bell. The forward has been immense this season, scoring thirty-three league goals, more than any other player across all six FA WNL divisions. Picking up nine Opposition Player of the Match awards.
Last Time Out: Jodie Michalska returns, though in 2022/23, her Barnsley side competed in Division One North. Golden Boot winner, the aforementioned Jade Bell, also makes a return.
Division One South West
The fairytale story of the season was, of course, AFC Bournemouth’s unbeaten title triumph. The Cherries dropped just two points throughout the entire league campaign. After a disappointing loss to Moneyfields in the Determining Round, they bounced back in style, going all the way to lift the FA WNL Plate with a dramatic 3–2 victory over third-tier Cheltenham Town.
Newly promoted Bristol Rovers impressed in their debut season at this level, finishing a commendable fourth, just one point behind third-placed Swindon Town and five adrift of runners-up Moneyfields.
Selecting a team from this division was no easy task, especially with so many standout performers from AFC Bournemouth’s unbeaten squad. In goal, Erin Foley gets the nod. The former Bristol City goalkeeper had an outstanding season, providing a reliable presence between the posts as the Cherries lifted both the league title and the FA WNL Plate.
In midfield, Player of the Year Katie Kingshott lines up alongside Ellie Strippel, forming a commanding central partnership. Just ahead of them, the dynamic strike duo of Shannon Albuery and Annabelle Colston led the line with aplomb, scoring a combined 48 goals across all competitions.
Featured Player: Ellie Strippel may have flown under the radar during Bournemouth’s historic campaign, but her influence cannot be overstated. Tenacious, composed, and with a habit of scoring clutch goals, she’s a manager’s dream. Expect her to be a key figure as Bournemouth prepares for life in the third tier.
Last Time Out: Manfy Sharpe and Gipsy Viveash return to marshal the defence, while Albuery and Colston once again spearhead the attack. Ellie Strippel retains her place as the heartbeat of the squad.
Division One South East
Real Bedford are undoubtedly well-backed, but they’re also making football look effortless. After securing back-to-back promotions, they clinched their latest division title by a narrow two-point margin over nearest rivals Norwich City.
It was a season to forget for Ashford Town (Middlesex) and London Seaward, both of whom dropped out of the division. Even when combining their points tallies, survival was still out of reach.
Norwich’s defensive strength is anchored by the composed pairing of Ceri Fyle and Lauren Tomlinson, providing a solid base to play out from the back. Meanwhile, their dynamic forward line continues to trouble any defence they face.
We’re in awe of the work being done at Dulwich Hamlet, both on and off the pitch. Under Ryan Dempsey’s leadership, they finished eighth and were the only team to beat champions Real Bedford—a fitting finale to Dempsey’s time in charge. The outstanding performances of goalkeeper Saskia Reeves-Priestley and the leadership and organisation of Asia Harbour-Brown drove their success.
Featured Player: Guyana international Otesha Charles has made a significant impact since stepping down from tier three to join Chatham Town. With twelve goals in twenty-five appearances across all competitions, she’s also been named Opposition Player of the Match on nine occasions. Charles added silverware to her season, helping Chatham lift both the Isthmian Women’s Cup and the Kent County Cup.
Last Time Out: It’s a much-changed squad this time around, with no players retained from the previous team. The only two who featured in 2022/23, Ashlee Hinks and Grace Gillard, have since moved on to play in the third tier.
And that’s a wrap until next year! We’d love to hear your thoughts over on our socials. Share your predictions for next season and let us know which rising stars we should be watching in 2025/26!
