1991–92 WFA National League Premier Division
The 1991–92 Women's National League Premier Division season was the inaugural season of nationalised women's league football in England. The Women's Football Association (WFA) obtained a grant from the Sports Council in order to launch the league, described by Jean Williams as "a crucial step in adopting the structures of the male game."[1]
| Season | 1991–92 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Doncaster Belles 1st title |
| Matches played | 112 |
| Goals scored | 242 (2.16 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Karen Walker (36) |
| Longest winning run | Doncaster Belles (14) |
| Longest unbeaten run | Doncaster Belles (14) |
1992–93 → | |
Manager Brian Broadhurst guided Doncaster Belles to the championship with a 100% record. The Belles also avenged their defeat in the previous year's Women's FA Cup final to win a League and Cup double.
Red Star Southampton finished in second place, with player-manager Pat Chapman amongst many players who boasted England caps and FA Cup winners' medals from their days with the defunct Southampton WFC. Veteran 47-year-old goalkeeper Sue Buckett had a record eight winners' medals from her 10 Cup final appearances, as well as 30 outings for England (1972–81, 1984).
Friends of Fulham, Women's FA Cup winners in 1985 and runners-up in 1989 and 1990, came under the auspices of Wimbledon F.C. and played their Premier Division home fixtures at Plough Lane, recently vacated by the male team. The squad included England internationals Theresa Wiseman, Marieanne Spacey, Brenda Sempare, Terry Springett (daughter of Ron) and Debbie Bampton.
Newton Ladies, a Merseyside club formed by former England midfielder Liz Deighan in May 1989, linked up with Knowsley United F.C. to join the league as Knowsley United WFC. Deighan, also the WFA's England Under-21 team boss, led Knowsley to a fourth-place finish.
Millwall Lionesses had beaten Doncaster Belles in the previous season's FA Cup final but suffered a subsequent exodus of players. Lou Waller remained and Pauline Cope rejoined from Arsenal, to buttress a youthful squad.
National Division
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Doncaster Belles | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 89 | 4 | +85 | 28 | Champions |
| 2. | Red Star Southampton | 14 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 32 | 18 | +14 | 21 | |
| 3. | Wimbledon | 14 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 34 | 27 | +7 | 20 | |
| 4. | Knowsley United | 14 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 31 | 30 | +1 | 17 | |
| 5. | Maidstone Tigresses | 14 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 13 | 35 | -22 | 10 | |
| 6. | Ipswich Town | 14 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 42 | -27 | 8 | |
| 7. | Millwall Lionesses | 14 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 11 | 30 | -19 | 6 | |
| 8. | Notts Rangers | 14 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 17 | 56 | -39 | 4 |
No relegation as league expanded to 10 teams for 1992–93.
References
- Williams, Jean (2003). A game for rough girls?: a history of women's football in Britain. Routledge. p. 4. ISBN 978-0-415-26338-2. Retrieved 2012-05-26.