FA WPL Championship Play-Off Final
Sheffield United to host FA Women’s Premier League Championship Play-Off Final
The exciting climax to the FA Women’s Premier League 17/18 season will see the Championship Play Off Final being contested at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane stadium on Sunday 27th May.
The match will pitch the winners of the Northern and Southern Divisions against each other to determine the overall national FA WPL Champion. The Champions will subsequently be promoted to the newly formed FA Women’s Championship for the 18/19 season, subject to meeting licence criteria.
The finalists have still yet to be decided however as both Northern and Southern Division titles are still up for grabs. Last season’s Northern Division Champions and Championship Play Off finalists Blackburn Rovers currently occupy pole position. Beaten by Tottenham Hotspur in the Play Off last season, Rovers Ladies will be keen not only to retain their Northern Division title but go one better and win the Play Off which will catapult them to Tier 2. The race for the title is still very much open however as Middlesbrough and Leicester City can still top the table if they win their remaining matches and Rovers drop points from their games in hand.
The Southern Division title race is no less exciting with three teams still in contention to reach the Play Off. Charlton Athletic are hungry for success having narrowly missed out on the Southern Division title over the last four seasons. Sitting top of the table with a game in hand, Charlton are in touching distance of the title and Play Off place but have C&K Basildon and Crystal Palace both putting pressure on and ready to take advantage of any points dropped in the end of season run-in.
FA Women’s Premier League Chairman Carol West said “The Championship Play-Off is arguably one of the biggest league matches in the women’s game. The prize is two-fold; the winner will earn the ultimate accolade of being crowned National Champion and earn promotion to Tier 2 – the FA Women’s Championship."
The last 3 Play Off Finals have been amazing and played at a blistering pace. With so much at stake, every player knows that anything less than 100% on the day could see their hopes to cross the line in to semi-professional football dashed. Since 2014, Sheffield FC Ladies, Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur have won the National title and promotion to Tier 2 and I know whichever teams make it to the Play Off this season will be absolutely determined to join them.
The day is much more than a football match however, it’s an opportunity to see players and clubs at the top of their game. It’s also an opportunity too for aspiring women and girls to see what can be achieved through hard work and dedication to the sport. This really is one match not to be missed and I hope as many players and supporters of the women’s game from the county and beyond come to watch history being made at the fantastic Bramall Lane stadium”
Tickets for the match will soon be on sale through the Sheffield FA website. Group Bookings at discounted prices including free tickets for players are also available for Charter Standard Teams, Schools, Wildcat Centres with players of these getting free tickets. For further information please email development officer@fawpl.com