Southampton FC turn professional after promotion | OneFootball

It has been a great season for Southampton FC. After winning the FAWNL South, they managed to clinch promotion by beating FAWNL North Champions Wolverhampton Wanderers. This means they will feature in the Women’s Championship in the 2022/2023 season.

But that’s not all that’s positive coming from Southampton. The club announced that the women’s programme will turn full-time and in doing so, become professional.

Head of Girls and Women’s Football and first-team manager Marieanne Spacey-Cale said the following about the decision on the Southampton website:

“We are aware of the challenge moving into the Championship will bring on the pitch, so having quality time with the squad based at Staplewood will support this transition and give us a good chance to settle into the league. The Club are extremely supportive of this transition into full-time and have been all in getting the application process and the detail right to ensure this can happen for season 2022-23 in the Women’s Championship.”

Director of Football Operations Matt Crocker acknowledged what was said by Spacey-Cale and said the following to add to it:

“As a club we wanted to make sure our Women’s team are in the best possible position for their first season in Tier 2 and moving to a professional full-time programme fully integrated at Staplewood supports our ambitious plans for continued success and development in the Women’s game. We want to thank everyone at the Club who dedicated their time and effort into getting the application process over the line and ensuring the next step for our Women’s team is given the best chance possible of being a success.”

It’s going to be an exciting season for the newcomers in the Women’s Champions. You can follow their journey over here together with the other teams.

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