The 2024/2025 Barclays Women’s Championship season could be the most competitive yet with clubs set to invest again and with some tasty local rivalries to be renewed.
The competition will again be contested by 12 clubs with Bristol City, Newcastle United and Portsmouth being the new additions to the league for 2024/2025.
The Barclays Women’s Championship provided excitement galore in its latest season with a five-way promotion battle and a relegation dogfight. There will be more thrills and spills in 2024/2025 with a number of match-ups already catching the eye.
Here are three derby clashes that fans won’t want to miss in the new season.
Newcastle United v Sunderland
Newcastle United are the new kids on the block in the Barclays Women’s Championship but the Tyneside club have no plans to stay around for the long-term, they want top tier football. Meanwhile, Melanie Reay’s Sunderland side pushed hard for promotion themselves last season. The Lady Black Cats are on their way back and will be keen to build on their successes from 2023/2024.
North East football fans have waited a long time for a professional Tyne-Wear derby but dreams have now come true. If Newcastle United’s home derby is played at St James’ Park, it is likely to smash the Barclays Women’s Championship’s attendance record and be one of the biggest occasions in the women’s professional game in 2024/2025.
A three-way battle to be the North East’s top club is set to commence, it’s going to be a thrilling fight.
Durham v Sunderland
The A690 derby is the only remaining derby which featured in the very first FAWSL2 season back in 2014. Both Durham and Sunderland have had their fair share of highs and lows since that season but their rivalry is as strong as it’s ever been. Both fixtures regularly attract crowds close to the 2,000 mark and have been the most popular games on the respective teams’ calendars.
This season’s 5-3 thriller at The Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground will be fresh in the memories of both sets of fans. Whether it be goals, full-blooded tackles or local banter in the crowd, the 2024/2025 A690 derbies will bring passion, excitement and a whole lot of fun.
Newcastle United’s arrival in the elite game brings new noise to the North East. The Magpies will be keen to rule the region but Sunderland and Durham are not there to just make up the numbers, they want to play leading parts.
Portsmouth v Southampton
It has been 12 years since a South Coast derby was produced at professional level in league competition but next season will see that trend come to an end with Portsmouth and Southampton set to meet in the Barclays Women’s Championship.
Both clubs have been pushing hard for success in recent years. Portsmouth finally achieved promotion to the elite game this season after several years of trying while Southampton were promoted to the Barclays Women’s Championship in 2022 and now have their eyes set on reaching the Barclays Women’s Super League sooner rather than later.
Portsmouth will have to adjust to their new playing environment but their proposed transition towards full-time football indicates their intention to be competitive. They will want to push Southampton all the way for those South Coast bragging rights.
The South Coast is an area that is heavily invested in the women’s game. Both Portsmouth and Southampton are well-supported and have some talented young players at their disposal. Competition between the two clubs is going to be high in 2024/2025 and expect fans to be roaring their respective sides on in their numbers from the stands.
The 2024/2025 Barclays Women’s Championship season is scheduled to kick-off on the weekend of 7/8 September 2024.