The Archive of The FA Women’s National League chronicles and celebrates the first-ever nationwide football league for female players, tracing the competition’s history from its formation and inaugural 1991-92 season.
Throughout its first two decades, which were the initial focus of the Archive, the almost entirely amateur League provided an increasingly competitive arena to showcase and develop the UK’s talented players and nurture the green shoots of media coverage and commercial investment.
You can learn about legendary players, managers and teams – from the first ever champions, the iconic Doncaster Belles, to Arsenal’s decade-long dominance and to the brilliant but now near-forgotten twice League and FA Cup double winners Croydon.
In that opening 1991-92 campaign the League Cup was won 1-0 by Southern Division Arsenal against top flight side Millwall Lionesses at Knowsley United’s Alt Park Stadium.
How times change: from that first season launch-pad Arsenal quickly became and remain one of the country’s top teams; 1996-97 League Cup winners Millwall Lionesses were 30 years later playing in the London and South East Women's Regional Football League; Knowsley United had a 1994 name-change to Liverpool and were to play many of their games at Anfield.
The Archive has been compiled and written, with help from long-time media colleagues, by journalists Jen O’Neill and Tony Leighton.
Jen says: “As women’s football goes from strength to strength, so the importance of understanding and remembering where it has come from grows too. I applaud The FAWNL Management Board for recognising this and acting upon it.
“Most primary information about the league’s earlier years lives in boxes, in lofts or garages, and in people’s heads. Realistically, it will not survive indefinitely. Some material has already been discarded and more has been lost to internet/technology upgrades.
“It is hard enough to recall what happened five years ago, never mind 35 years back – credit and thanks to everyone that dredged up memories for us – and so that is why it is crucial to record as much ‘her’ story as we can. Doing just that has been both a joy and a privilege.”
Tony says: “I’ve been delighted to see the massive growth of the women’s game since I started covering it during the late 1990s, but at the same time I don’t want the early years of The FAWNL to be forgotten.
“It’s also been a delight to talk again with the many players and managers, backroom staff and League club officials I got to know over the almost four decades that this Archive so far covers. There’s been much happy chat about the old times during the interviews I’ve undertaken.
“So, with thanks to everyone who has helped Jen and I to formulate the Archive, it’s to those pioneering players, managers and administrators that I dedicate my work on this project.”
Sue Hough, Chair of Women’s National League, said: “The launch of The FA Women’s National League Archive is a landmark moment in recognising and preserving the extraordinary journey of our league.
“I want to extend our deepest thanks to Jen O’Neill and Tony Leighton for their dedication in capturing the stories, achievements, and spirit of those who laid the foundations of the women’s game. Their work ensures that the legacy of pioneering players, managers, and volunteers is not only remembered but celebrated.
“As we look to the future, we remain steadfast in our commitment to honouring the past and protecting the unique culture that defines women’s football.”
By the way, you may be able to help in the evolvement of the Archive itself as, despite research, records from the first 12 seasons of the League are incomplete and need some gap-filling in areas such as match dates and results.
This is a collaborative effort and, in some ways, it has only scratched the surface. For every story told there are many more and where there are gaps or omissions in terms of facts or images, or if you have information, materials or queries, please do get in touch.
If you or someone you know who has good knowledge (and a good memory!) of the League’s history, you can contact us at FAWNL.Secretary@thefa.com
Jen and Tony would also like to acknowledge the help they’ve received from fellow journalists Catherine Etoe and Neil Brown; photographers Julian Barker, Gavin Ellis, Tony Greenwood, Simon Mooney and Colin Shorrock; and statisticians Mike Capewell, Colin Aldis and Wilf Frith.