5 London Women's Football Teams To Watch

Will Noble
By Will Noble Last edited 103 months ago
5 London Women's Football Teams To Watch
Image courtesy of the Arsenal website

The Premier League and Championship kick off this weekend, but UK women's top flight football — that's The Football Association Women's Super League 1 and 2 (WSL1, WSL2) — has already been going for some months. Here's our run-down of London's five best women's teams. There's still plenty of time to watch them play this season, and match tickets are a darn sight cheaper than most men's matches, costing in the region of £3-£6.

Arsenal Ladies

Are they any good? Very; they're the most successful club to grace English women's football, lifting 40 major trophies since their establishment in 1987. They're also currently second in the Women's Super League 1 (WS1), behind Sunderland on goal difference only. They've also got quite a few players in the England squad, including defend Alex Scott and forward Lianne Sanderson. Don't be surprised if Arsenal become champs once again.

Where do they play? Meadow Park in Boreham Wood. And even though you might not think that constitutes London, our editor-at-large Matt Brown thinks it will do one day.

When can I next see them play at home? They're at home to Man City this Sunday, and play Chelsea in the FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup the following weekend (although as you'll see below, Chelsea don't actually play in Chelsea). Get tickets.

Millwall Lionesses face Reading. Image courtesy of Millwall's website

Chelsea Ladies

Are they any good? A shaky past haunted Chelsea for a while (including getting just one point from six matches during a dire period in the 2005–06 season). These days, Chelsea have got their act together, and though they've dropped from second to third place in the WS1 this season, they're still only a point behind both Arsenal and Sunderland, so their prospects of joining their male counterparts as league champions are still in fine fettle. Like Arsenal, a handful of their players featured in the recent England World Cup squad, and many of the players became full-time pros earlier this year.

Where do they play? Wheatsheaf Park in swinging, fashionable, erm, Staines. OK, so Staines isn't in London, but when else are you going to visit Staines?

When can I next see them play at home? Chelsea's next home game is against Birmingham City on Sunday. Get tickets.

London Bees

Are they any good? The Bees are technically not as skilled as Arsenal or Chelsea, because they're in WSL2 (as are Millwall Lionesses and Watford Ladies). They're also ninth in the table (a table of 10), so to be honest, are going to have to be very busy bees.

Where do they play? London! They actually play in London! The Hive Stadium in Canons Park, to be exact (also home to Barnet FC). An extra nugget of trivia for you: they were founded in 1975 as District Line Ladies FC. Which we'd argue is a much cooler name.

When can I next see them play at home? They're hosting Yeovil Town at The Hive this Sunday. Get tickets.

Watford huddle. Image courtesy of Watford's website

Millwall Lionesses

Are they any good? Well they're above the London Bees, if only on goal difference (+19 goal difference, mind). Still, they're arguably doing better than their male counterparts, who were relegated last season. They'll be hoping their top scorer, Rosella Ayane, can slot a few more past the competition.

Where do they play? At The Den, in Millwall — also home to Millwall FC. With a capacity of over 20,000 it's easily the biggest stadium in women's league football.  

When can I next see them play at home? They're not at The Den again until 23 August, when they face Doncaster Rovers Belles. Before then, go and watch them away at Watford, on 12 August. Get tickets.

Watford Ladies

Are they any good? Watford only started playing in the WSL2 last year. They finished seventh in then, but are currently 10th, meaning they really have their work cut out this season. And with a goal difference of -27, they need to work on their defensive strategy.

Where do they play? Berkhamsted FC in Hertfordshire. OK, this ground isn't in London either, but you can work it into a day trip to nearby St Albans (once the second biggest town in Roman Britain, after Londonium).

When can I next see them play at home? They're playing Doncaster Rovers Belles at home this Sunday. Seeing as Doncaster are top and Watford are bottom, it would be a shock for Watford to win. All the more reason to go. Get tickets.  

Last Updated 11 August 2015