Welcome
DAY ONE
The Women’s Super League starts today. And you're in.
Welcome to AFTA Super League Club. You're here from day one, right at the start of a new season. We’re so happy to have you here!
So, what can you expect as part of the Super League Club?
You’re now officially a member of women’s football’s newest fandom. We’re talking insight, opinion, merch and more!
Expect AFTA Studios’ usual creativity and innovation, matched with the latest coverage and chat from top-flight football, as well as embracing what makes the Super League so special, YOU!
Our aim is to capture the excitement and passion that comes from supporting your team week in and week out, whilst being part of something bigger.
We may be rivals on the pitch, but as part of the Super League Club we can build something bigger, together.
CLUB MASCOT
MEET ISABALL
Isaball lives and breathes the beautiful game, which is fairly easy when you are, in fact, a football.
She’s fun, a little cheeky, slightly kooky and here for every team across the Super League. She loves a chant, will always have a soft spot for the underdog and, regardless of the colours on the ribbons, absolutely loves a good trophy lift.
MATCHDAY ESSENTIALS
🍕 Pizza slice 🍺 Guinness 0.0 📣 A good chant 🏆 A trophy lift
LAST SEASON
SUMMED UP
Get up to date before Friday’s first fixture with a quick recap of how last season shaped up.
After a decade of patience, Manchester City finally got their hands back on the WSL trophy under the guidance of new boss, Andrée Jeglertz. The Cityzens steamed past the competition finishing four points clear of Arsenal in second and dethroning six time league winners Chelsea who finished in third. Sonia Bompastor’s side struggled to find their rhythm last season and this lack of spark was evident when City thumped the blues 5-1 at the Etihad last February.
However, Chelsea finished nine points clear of Manchester United (in fourth place) to secure the league’s final Champions League spot. The Red Devils had a turbulent 25/26 campaign and have had a difficult summer with many senior players leaving the club and a managerial change in Eva Olid replacing Marc Skinner. Only time will tell if Manchester United are entering a new era or if old cracks will start to show.
Working our way down the table, Tottenham had an impressive season finishing fifth and nine points above London City Lionesses in sixth. The Lilywhites improved tremendously from the season prior (where they finished 11th and were on the brink of relegation) and look to build on last year’s success, showing no signs of slowing down.
London City Lionesses may have stole the transfer headlines this summer, but before that they had an astonishing debut season finishing in the top half of the table becoming the league’s first independent women’s side. However it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Former manager Jocelyn Prêcheur was sacked in December 2025 shocking Super League fans as the club sat in 6th at the time with a respectable five wins from 11 matches. Although results had been positive this was not the reason for Prêcheur’s abrupt dismissal. The club were said to have craved a coach that could develop a new distinct style of play- similar to that of club owner Michelle Kang’s other European giant, Lyon. To reflect this, Spanish coach Eder Maestre was recruited who said that London City was the ‘best female project in football’. Since his appointment, LCL have continued to develop their new identity and (alongside a Spanish manager) have invested in some of the Spain’s top talent including two time Ballon d’Or winner, Alexia Putellas.
Brighton & Hove Albion were right on London City’s tail at the business end of last season, with the Seagulls finishing just one point behind them. Brighton have most certainly been a club on the up with consistent high league finishes and even reaching their first Adobe Women’s FA Cup final this year. However, nobody saw coming the shock departure of manager Dario Vidosic who he said he has left the club to pursue a different opportunity elsewhere. The Aussie coach is rumoured to have left the South Coast in favour of America’s West Coast to join Angel City FC in Los Angeles. Brighton acted swiftly to appoint new boss Arturo Ruiz who joins the club from Real Sociedad who he had led to a third place finish in Liga F last season. Despite managerial changes, Brighton are still a well built team with a clear future off the pitch. Plans for a state of the art stadium have been promised as the first purpose built women’s football ground in the UK, ambition we like to see in the Super League.
Villa were another side that never realised their full potential finishing in 9th despite 25/26 being Natalia Arroyo’s first full year in charge. The campaign before was a tricky one with Dutch manager Robert de Pauw sacked in December 2024 and Arroyo getting the job the following January. Having signed seven new players this summer, this could be a new era for the midlands club. But how Arroyo beds these new additions in and further establishes her style of play will really cement how quickly Villa can push on.
West Ham finished ten points above the drop and had previously been criticised on a seeming lack of the support for their women’s programme. The Hammers won just one of their opening 11 games in the WSL leading to the East London side parting ways with Rehanne Skinner in December. Rita Guarino took the helm and despite losing key players in January (such as England international Anouk Denton) she ultimately managed to recruit well. The team ended the campaign with four more wins and a renewed sense of optimism to see what Guarino can do with another transfer window and fresh start in September.
The Toffees moved into their new home at Goodison park last September but on the pitch struggled to find momentum. A difficult start to the season lead to the sacking of Brian Sorensen ,a day after the transfer window shut, leaving the team in uncertainty at the start of the campaign. Scott Phelan steadied the ship as interim and his contract was made permanent this summer but Toffees fans will be wanting clear intent and improvement this season.
Liverpool were perhaps the team we saw the biggest decline in from the season prior. Falling from seventh to 11th place in just one year is a pretty big fall in WSL football. The club have regularly come under fire for a lack of investment and ambition. This is only one side of the story however as some aspects of life at Liverpool have been looking up as the Reds moved into former men’s training ground Melwood and found a few home at the recently revamped St Helen’s Stadium. Other Premier League-owned WSL sides seem to reap the rewards of investment shown through impressive transfers and success in the league. Liverpool also suffered through injuries to key players striker Sophie Roman Haug and midfielder Marie Hobinger but just about managed to cling onto their top flight status with wins over Aston Villa, Everton, Leicester and Spurs.
Leicester City were the side who finished bottom but were given a lifeline (following the new Super League format) in the form of a playoff match against WSL2 third placed side Charlton Athletic. However, the Foxes were defeated at the Valley on penalties, the final blow after a nine point league finish and just two wins all season.
TRANSFER TALK
THE SUMMER MOVES
Who’s departed, who’s switched sides and who’s joined the league this summer? It’s always hard at the start of the season to know who’s who and what fresh faces to keep an eye out for in the WSL but don’t worry we have you covered!
Arsenal have had a serious shakeup with the most notable of departures coming from Katie McCabe making the short move across London to direct rivals Chelsea, ouch! The WSL has been questioned before on the ferocity of it’s rivalries but McCabe’s move to the Blues has left no doubts about how exciting Chelsea vs Arsenal will be this season. Codina, Zinsberger, Pelova and Mead have also left the Emirates with the latter joining league champions, City. However, the Gunners recruitment cannot be disputed with England midfielder Georgia Stanway joining and Spanish fullback Ona Batlle rejoining the WSL for the first time since her spell at Manchester United. Striker Selina Cerci has also moved to North London from the Bundesliga where she scored 34 goals in 47 appearances for HoffenHeim.
Villa also look totally different with several new faces. Their biggest blow this window was losing arguably their best attacking threat in Kirsty Hanson to Spurs leaving Villa fans worried where the goals would come from this season. The club responded by bringing in attacking talent from across Europe with the likes of Amalie Vangsgaard from Juventus and young talent Lily Murphy in on loan from City to replace Hanson’s threat on the left.
Birmingham have decided to bolster with a mixture of youth and experience, a great recipe for success as a newly promoted side. Millie Turner and Sophie Baggaley bring knowledge of the league from Manchester United and Brighton respectively. Having both been around the England squad, they will be great role models for emerging talent at St Andrews. However, Blues have seen 11 players out of contract this summer and so far have only brought in five new faces which looks worrying for their squad depth in the first division.
Brighton’s window has been impressive with twelve new signings joining the South Coast team. Most notably former Arsenal midfielder Lia Walti finds herself at the Seagulls following a year’s break from the WSL at Juventus. Fullback Gabby George also joined from Manchester United showing another quality and experienced signing for new boss Arturo Ruiz’s side.
Charlton have also decided to recruit WSL experience by bringing in Australian midfielder Emily Van Egmond and WSL veteran Ashleigh Neville, both from Spurs. Their recruitment has been balanced, reinforcing all over the pitch, with new goalkeeper Anna Koivunen joining from the Swedish league and Grace Johnston and Leah Davidson scouted from the A League in Australia.
Chelsea have enhanced their ranks with Giulia Dragoni from Barcelona who operates as both a midfielder and right winger as well as poaching French striker Melvine Malard from Manchester United. The blues’ main triumphs this window have come in the form of contract extensions for young star Aggie Beaver Jones, Lioness legend Lucy Bronze and Sandy Baltimore who was a big part of the club’s domestic treble in 2025.
Palace have managed to strike a good balance between fresh talent and WSL greats. Signing exciting young defender Teyah Goldie on loan from London City whilst also bringing in goalscorer Beth England from Spurs to fire them to top flight stability. Molly Bartrip also provides composure at the back and WSL2 top score Lexi Lloyd-Smith is a great addition and ready to make the leap to England’s elite.
Everton are have had a complete reshuffle with Emily Ramsay joining Villa between the sticks and forward Kelly Gago moving south to West Ham. Winger and fan favourite Toni Payne will be a huge loss as she departs for Inter Milan as she often provided a bright spark in difficult spells. Naomi Layzell is a fine addition from Manchester City in defence, most significantly scoring against Barcelona in the Champions League in 2024. Welsh international Hannah Cain will also provide fire power up front following a move from relegated Leicester City.
Liverpool’s most exciting new addition will come in the form of Lionesses’ goalkeeper, Khiara Keating joining from Manchester City. The Reds also decided to look to the Bundesliga for inspiration and found Mao Itamura, Sara Agrez and Vivien Endemann who all join to enhance Gareth Taylor’s team across the pitch in midfield, defence and attack respectively
If you’re looking for the side who have had the busiest window, look no further than London City Lionesses. Following their maiden season in the WSL, ahead of their second stint they have not come to play. Michelle Kang’s ambitions (and pockets) clearly have no limits signing ‘La Reina’ Alexia Putellas who is regarded by many as one of the greatest players to ever play the women’s game. Former Lionesses keeper Mary Earps has unfinished business in the WSL as we await her return since she left for PSG in 2024. Defender Mapi Leon also joins her international teammate Putellas as well as French winger Diani (from Kang’s other side Lyon) who brings even more pace and versatility to their front line.
The reigning champions have took on two new recruits from London in the form of Lionesses Niamh Charles and Beth Mead. City haven’t overspent this window by any means with Mead coming on a free following her contract expiring at Arsenal. They have recruited intelligently to build on last year’s success and strengthen their squad depth ahead of their return to the Champions League. Niamh Charles is a serial winner from her time at Chelsea and gives City attacking threat from the back as well as defensive reinforcement.
Manchester United, like their rivals, have also had a quiet transfer window but for all the wrong reasons. Part of Marc Skinner’s departure was put down to frustrations around a lack of ambition when it came to recruitment as United have always struggled to compete with clubs around them for signatures. Melvine Malard’s move to Chelsea is concerning and losing another striker Lisa Naalsund to Birmingham leaves Eva Olid with limited options in attack. Andrea Medina and Jusu Bah are the club’s only new outfield players this window joining from Athletico Madrid and BK Hacken respetively. The defender and winger are both exciting young signings but the Red Devils haven’t recruited experienced talent which may hurt them in the short term.
Tottenham have been busy this summer and look to build on an impressive fifth finish last year. Kirsty Hanson brings goals and attacking flair as she joins from Aston Villa and midfielder Victoria Pelova brings experience and versatility from her time at North London rivals, Arsenal. Spurs have also been spending in the European market: bringing in defender Alice Sombath from Lyon (who looks to be one of France’s stars for the future) and Norwegian international goalkeeper Selma Panengstuen from SK Brann.
The Hammers have secured Katie Zelem’s signature making her loan move from London City permanent. The former lionesses brings bags of WSL experience from her time as Manchester United captain as well as a short stint at NWSL side Angel City FC. Laia Codina is also a strong signing from Arsenal and brings more experience to the Hammer’s back line to help them hopefully avoid another relegation battle this season. Ebony Salmon has found a new home in East London following the expiration of her contract at Aston Villa. The winger never played consistent minutes in the Midlands but made an impression when she played in the WSL for Bristol City. If Guarino can get Salmon firing again, WSL defenders will need to look out.
WELCOME TO THE SUPER LEAGUE
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
With the Super League expanding to fourteen teams for the first time, let’s take a look at the three newly promoted teams and their route to the WSL.
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Birmingham City are the most acquainted of the three new sides with top flight football. Founding members of the WSL, they came close to the title in two consecutive seasons in both 2011 and 2012.
The Blues have produced top class talent over the years with England internationals, Hannah Hampton, Karen Carney and Ellen White all passing through their ranks.
They have played their home games at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park which holds 29,409 fans since 2021.
Amy Merrick’s side had a memorable campaign last season taking home the WSL 2 title and advancing to the quarter finals of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup falling only to the WSL champions, Manchester City.
Some new signings making their way to the second city include Lionesses Millie Turner (from Manchester United) and Goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley (from Brighton & Hove Albion). They have also reinforced with Norwegian midfielder Lisa Naalsund (also from the Red Devils) and French defender Jade Rastocle from Montpellier an exciting young French talent.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Palace have experienced WSL football the most recently of the three new sides when they debuted in the 2024/2025 season. Their top flight status however was short lived finishing bottom and facing relegation just a year later. Ahead of last year’s campaign, Jo Potter was appointed manager and led the Eagles to 2nd place, despite finishing level on points with champions Birmingham City.
Crystal Palace have had a busy summer, welcoming new additions striker Beth England and centre back Molly Bartrip from fellow London side Spurs. England brings a wealth of experience to Potter’s side as outgoing Tottenham captain and Chelsea legend making 99 appearances and scoring 45 goals in blue. They have also bolstered their ranks with midfielder Sierra Enge who has spent time in Germany with Strasbourg and been involved in the US national team youth set up. Securing the signature of WSL2 25/26 top goalscorer Lexi Lloyd-Smith from Bristol City was a fantastic bit of business if she is to continue her great form in South London.
The Eagles play their home games at the VBS Community Stadium in Sutton, South London and host select fixtures at the club’s main stadium, Selhurst Park.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Charlton’s road to the WSL has been anything but smooth. Finishing third, second, fourth and then finally earning promotion following last year’s third place finish and subsequent play off win over Leicester City finally earned them a place with England’s elite.
Manager Karen Hills also has a personal connection to the club. She won the Adobe Women’s FA Cup with the Addicks in 2005, alongside former Lionesses Eni Aluko and Casey Stoney. She has previous experience coaching in the WSL with Tottenham Hotspur where she was at the helm from 2009-2020, taking them from an amateur side to top flight football in those 11 years.
Charlton have also opted to invest in players with WSL experience securing signatures of former Spurs fullback, Ashleigh Neville, and Australian international midfielder, Emily Van Egmond. The Addicks have also brought some new faces in from down under. Midfielder Leah Davidson joins the club from Melbourne City and versatile attacker Grace Johnston signs from Perth Glory. Davidson has already earned four senior caps with the Matildas and Johnston has also been involved in the green and gold’s youth setup.
NEXT UP
WHAT'S COMING UP IN THE CLUB
THE WSL
Stories, moments and things worth talking about from across the Super League.
SLC SPOTLIGHT
Players we're watching, stories we're following and the people making the league what it is.
FROM AFTA
A look at what we're creating, making and working on behind the scenes.
CLUB EXTRAS
Exclusive bits and pieces just for the people inside the Club.
REP THE CLUB
Starting as we mean to go on, your first Club Extra is a set of Isaball phone backgrounds / Instagram Stories made especially for Super League Club members.
Isaball’s repping every WSL1 club, with a scarf for every team in the league. Find yours below, tap to open the full-size version and save it to your phone.
Supporting a WSL2 club too? We haven’t made the full WSL2 collection just yet, but if you’re a double-club supporter, get in touch and we’ll create one for you.
Don’t forget to tag @aftastudios so we can see Isaball out in the wild. ⚽️
