DREAMS AND DRAMA. Southern Premier, FAWNL
Before WSL and WSL2 get underway, rivalries are already being renewed in Tier 3 of the pyramid. The FAWNL is chock full of drama with mini battles fought throughout the table, in both the Northern and Southern Premier Divisions. Clare McEwen previews the season and gives you a quick start guide to one of the most exciting leagues in the pyramid.
In case Tier 3 is new to you, it’s made up of two divisions: The FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division and The FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division. Geographically split, these leagues feature the best 12 teams in each region.
Teams in the Southern Division:
AFC Bournemouth, AFC Wimbledon, Billericay Town, Gwalia United, Cheltenham Town, Exeter City, Hashtag United, Lewes, Oxford United, Plymouth Argyle, Real Bedford, Watford
Key dates:
Season begins Sunday 17th August
Season ends Sunday 26th April
Rivalries and drama on your doorstep
The FAWNL is a league packed with drama. Normally, with only one promotion spot, there is no room for error and every match is significant. This time, with the prospect of a play-off for a second promotion spot, the battle will be even fiercer fought. Last season Ipswich Town eased ahead of Hashtag United to win promotion by a six-point margin. Although the title fight didn’t go down to the last weekend like in the Northern Division, it was a season of fine margins. Both Hashtag United and Ipswich were formidable opponents at home, with Hashtag winning all their home games and Ipswich only dropping points with a draw against Watford. The difference was ultimately in the away results with Hashtag United losing four on the road to Ipswich’s two. Behind the top two, places three to five were only separated by two points as Watford, Exeter City, and Oxford United were all in the mix towards the top of the table.
With Ipswich Town now in WSL2, and the remaining top five teams finishing last season within six points of each other, this season looks like a fascinating one for The FAWNL Southern Premier Division. Hashtag United have been runners up for two seasons in a row now, so will be hoping this is the season they take the next step. But a 3-0 loss to Plymouth Argyle on the opening day of the season has already thrown a spanner in the works. It may take Hashtag United some time to settle after losing an experienced management trio at the end of last season.
The promotion of ambitious AFC Bournemouth looks set to provide a tasty challenge for last season’s strongest. Bournemouth opened their WNL South Division account with a 7-0 hammering of Billericay. Although this is supposed to be a big step up for The Cherries, after last season’s double as Champions of the Division One South West League (tier 4) and FAWNL Plate winners (beating tier 3 opposition Cheltenham Town), they’re riding high and full of ambition. Their opening day riot will further fuel the team’s ambition. You’d never know they had to find a manager just a few days before the season began, appointing former player Helen Bleazard in interim charge. With over 40 playing caps for Wales and a stint with Chelsea, her time as AFC Bournemouth Head Coach is off to a flyer.
Watford, Exeter City, and Oxford United will be hoping to challenge for a promotion spot again this season and all have bolstered their squads. Amongst Watford’s signings are former WSL winner (with Arsenal) Ava Kuyken, Ghana international Freda Ayisi, and centre-back Grace Garrad who won the title with Ipswich Town last season. Exeter City have signed Oxford United’s experienced former captain Leah Burridge; Fearne Slocombe who has played in the Women’s Championship with Bristol City and made her debut against Manchester City in the League Cup (when only 16); and striker Georgia Vaccaro, a highly-rated 16-year-old who her manager describes as having “huge potential”. Oxford United, meanwhile, have signed a bagful of new players as they move to being a more professional outfit and push for a place in the prized WSL2. With many teams upping their game, we’re in for a cracking season.
And we haven’t even touched on the teams who finished in the bottom half of the division last season. Lewes will be hoping their rebuild continues and they can begin to get close to regaining a spot in WSL2. Wimbledon AFC, were promoted to tier 3 last season, finishing a respectable seventh (on the same points as Lewes). With some solid summer signings, they will be aiming to better the seventh place finish and consolidate their place in the Southern Division.
There was no tight finish for bottom of the league last season as poor Milton Keynes Dons had an absolute nightmare but the battle to avoid the other relegation spot was tightly fought. Plymouth Argyle managed to grab three crucial extra points that meant Billericay Town were due to be relegated. Luckily for them, reshuffling further up the pyramid meant the Essex team were given a reprieve and remain in tier 3. Plymouth have had a busy summer though and clearly don’t want to be fighting relegation this season. Former WSL winner and Republic of Ireland player Marie Hourihan has moved from Stoke City to join Plymouth as the new Head Coach at Home Park. And she’s bought a chunk of her squad with her as Tamara Willcock, Risin Kivel, and Arabella Suttie all move into the Southern Division. Plymouth’s 3-0 win over last season’s runners up in the opening game of 2025/26 suggests these changes are already having an impact.
Future Stars playing for your local club
As well as plenty of exciting fixtures, there’s always the chance of witnessing a future star begin to shine. With young internationals sprinkled throughout the league and talented young players gaining experience, a player from your local team may go on to play in the WSL or maybe even become a European Champion.
The most well known current star to begin in the Southern Division of tier 3 is Fran Kirby. Before Fran’s stellar career at the highest level and her 2022 Euros win, she played in the third tier with Reading. Now at Brighton & Hove Albion, Kirby plays alongside Bex Rayner who also played lower down the pyramid. Former player Helen Ward had over 100-caps for Wales and finished her career at Watford. Tottenham’s Kit Graham began her career with Charlton Athletic in tier 3 before moving to Spurs in 2019. And Oxford United’s young Cecily Wellesley-Smith signed for Arsenal over the summer, proving the FAWNL is a great place to spot young talent with a bright future.
Three key fixtures to look out for before Christmas:
Sunday 31st August 2pm AFC Bournemouth v Exeter City
Sunday 14th September 2pm Oxford United v Exeter City
Wednesday 29th October 7.45pm AFC Bournemouth v Oxford United
Predictions:
Winners: Exeter City
Runners-up: Oxford United or AFC Bournemouth
Relegated: Billericay Town, Gwalia United
