Southampton join Manchester United in bid to create women’s team after applying for FAC licence
If they are accepted, it would mean for the first time ever all 20 Premier League teams would have a senior women's side
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SOUTHAMPTON have joined Manchester United in applying for a licence to have a women's football team.
If they are accepted, it would mean for the first time ever all 20 Premier League teams would have a senior women's side.
The Saints are applying to be in the FA Women's Championship which is what the FAWSL 2 will be known as from next season.
But they face competition from the likes of Charlton Athletic, Coventry United, Crystal Palace, Derby County, Leicester City, Lewes, Sheffield United and Watford.
Manchester United applied for a licence after many years of criticism for their lack of participation at the top of the women's game.
United's move has been discussed for a while and one of the club's representatives attended a recent Women in Football conference.
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Ed Woodward, executive vice-chairman of the Red Devils, said: "We are pleased to announce that the club intends to establish its first ever professional women's team and has submitted an application to enter WSL2.
"The FA has provided excellent support through the process and we believe that launching a team in WSL2 would give many more of our graduates from the Regional Talent Club the chance to establish themselves as first-team players.
WO-MAN U Man United chief Ed Woodward reveals club are launching their first professional women’s team and have applied to the FA for a licence to join WSL
"The Manchester United women's team must be built in the same image and with the same principles as the men's first team and offer academy players a clear route to top level football within the club."
Former Manchester United star Phil Neville was recently appointed as manager of the England Women's team.