FA WSL Spring Series


The FA WSL Spring Series was an interim edition of the FA WSL between the sixth and seventh full seasons. The Spring Series ran from February to May 2017 to bridge the gap from the 2016 FA WSL season which ran from March to September as a summer tournament, and the 2017–18 season which started in September 2017.
While the 2017–18 season planned to feature 21 clubs, the Spring Series contained 20. Notts County Ladies F.C. folded two days before they were due to play their first Spring Series game, leaving 19 teams in total. Teams played each other once, with no promotion or relegation before the full 2017–18 season. WSL2 began in February, while WSL1 started in April.

Teams

;WSL 1
TeamLocationGroundCapacity2016 season
ArsenalBorehamwoodMeadow Park4,5023rd
Birmingham CitySolihullDamson Park3,0504th
Bristol CityFiltonStoke Gifford Stadium1,5002nd, WSL 2
ChelseaStainesWheatsheaf Park3,0092nd
LiverpoolWidnesSelect Security Stadium13,3505th
Manchester CityManchesterAcademy Stadium7,0001st
ReadingHigh WycombeAdams Park9,6178th
SunderlandHetton-le-HoleEppleton Colliery Welfare Ground2,5007th
Yeovil TownYeovilHuish Park9,5651st, WSL 2

;WSL 2
TeamLocationGroundCapacity2016 season
Aston VillaTamworthThe Lamb Ground4,0007th
Brighton & Hove AlbionLancingCulver Road2,0001st, 2015–16 WPL
Doncaster Rovers BellesDoncasterKeepmoat Stadium15,2319th, WSL 1
DurhamDurhamNew Ferens Park3,0004th
EvertonWidnesSelect Security Stadium13,3503rd
London BeesCanons ParkThe Hive Stadium5,1766th
Millwall LionessesBermondseySt. Paul's Sports Ground2,5008th
Oxford UnitedAbingdonNorthcourt Road2,0009th
SheffieldDronfieldCoach and Horses2,0005th
WatfordKings LangleyGlobal Metcorp Stadium1,00010th

WSL 1

Ten teams were due to compete in this season. Notts County Ladies announced it was folding and withdrew from the league two days before their first scheduled fixture.

Table

Results

Top goalscorers

RankPlayerTeamGoals
1 Fran KirbyChelsea6
2 Caroline WeirLiverpool5
3 Karen CarneyChelsea4
3 Danielle CarterArsenal4
3 Erin CuthbertChelsea4
3 Toni DugganManchester City4
3 Natasha HardingLiverpool4
3 Ji So-yunChelsea4
3 Jordan NobbsArsenal4
3 Drew SpenceChelsea4

WSL 2

Ten teams competed in this season. Brighton & Hove Albion was promoted after beating Sporting Club Albion in the 2015–16 FA Women's Premier League Championship play-off. Following the closure of Notts County Ladies in April 2017, one team was promoted at the end of the Spring Series to the WSL1 for the 2017–18 season, based on an evaluation by the FA of applicant clubs' business plans, budget, youth development, facilities and on-pitch performance.

Table

Results

Top goalscorers

RankPlayerTeamGoals
1 Courtney Sweetman-KirkDoncaster Rovers Belles9
2 Claudia WalkerEverton7
3 Simone MagillEverton5
3 Zoe NessDurham5
5 Natasha BaptisteAston Villa4
5 Ashleigh GoddardLondon Bees4
5 Ini-Abasi UmotongOxford United4
5 Jo WilsonLondon Bees4