“垃圾场”彻底清理 附近居民很满意
 | |
| Organising bodies | SPFL (since 2022) |
|---|---|
| First season | 2002–03 |
| Country |  Scotland |
| Confederation | UEFA |
| Divisions | 2 |
| Number of clubs | 20 |
| Level on pyramid | 1–2 |
| Relegation to | Scottish Women's Football Championship |
| Domestic cup(s) | Scottish Women's Cup |
| League cup(s) | Scottish Premier League Cup |
| International cup(s) | UEFA Champions League |
| Current champions | Hibernian (4th title) |
| Most championships | Glasgow City (16 titles) |
| Broadcaster(s) | BBC Alba, BBC Scotland, Sky Sports |
| Website | swpl.uk |
| Current: 2024–25 SWPL, 2024–25 SWPL 2 | |
The Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) is the highest level of league competition in women's football in Scotland. Its two divisions are SWPL (previously styled as SWPL 1) and SWPL 2. The league was formed when the Premier Division of the Scottish Women's Football League (SWFL) broke away to form the SWPL in 2002. SWPL 2 was introduced in 2016.
The divisions contain (in the 2022–23 season) 12 clubs in SWPL and eight in SWPL 2. Glasgow City have won 16 championships, including 14 in succession from 2007–08 until 2020–21.[1] The champions and runners-up qualify for the UEFA Women's Champions League.[2]
From 2002, the league was owned and managed by Scottish Women's Football. Administration of the SWPL was taken over by the Scottish Football Association in 2007,[3] then by the Scottish Professional Football League in 2022.[4] The SWPL runs on the winter calendar but operated a summer-season format from 2009 until 2020.
History
[edit]2002–2009
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From the Scottish Women's Football Association national and regional leagues dating from 1972, the SWFA and clubs formed the Scottish Women's Football League (SWFL) in 1999, with four national divisions. Its top division broke away to form the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) in 2002, with the aim of introducing a more professional attitude and increasing media interest. The twelve founder members of the SWPL were Ayr United, Cove Rangers, Dundee, Giulianos, Glasgow City, F.C. Hamilton, Hibernian, Inver-Ross, F.C. Kilmarnock, Lossiemouth, Raith Rovers and Shettleston.[5][6]
In the 2002–03 season, Kilmarnock became the champions, after a title race with Hibernian.[7][8] Kilmarnock Ladies had formed from the 1971 Scottish Women's Cup-winners Stewarton Thistle,[6] and also won the 2001–02 SWFL, two Scottish Cups and four consecutive League Cups. Kilmarnock's success faded after the departure of manager Jim Chapman and of Scotland internationals including Shelley Kerr,[9] Joanne Love and Linda Brown.[10]
Hibernian Ladies were the most successful club in the League's first five years. The title in 2003–04 went to Hibs, 14 points ahead of Glasgow City,[11][12] and Hibernian added further titles in 2005–06 and in 2006–07 (winning every game that season).[13][14] The Hibs squad included Scotland's Pauline Hamill,[15] Kirsty McBride, Suzanne Grant, Joelle Murray and Kim Little.
Glasgow City won the Scottish championship for the first time in 2004–05,[16][17] coached by Peter Caulfield. The club's next title was in season 2007–08, beating Hibernian by five points, with Celtic placing third in its first season.[18] In 2007, the running of the League was taken over by the Scottish Football Association[3] while the SWFA, renamed SWF, thereafter operated as part of the SFA.[19]
2009–2019
[edit]The women's leagues' move from a winter to a summer schedule (March–November), from 2009, saw a rise in attendances in its first seasons, and far fewer match postponements.[20]
In the 11-year era of the summer schedule in Scottish women's football, Glasgow City won every title and became one of the most dominant clubs in any national league in world football. Between the 2007–08 and 2015 seasons, City lost only four matches in the League (including one match awarded against them retrospectively for an ineligible player); their squads included Jane Ross, Denise O'Sullivan (each a winner of the SWPL Players' Player of the Year), and Leanne Ross, who ultimately scored 250 goals in 12 seasons at the club.[21] Glasgow City also won the domestic Treble in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.[22][23]
Glasgow City considered applying to join the English league in 2013.[24] Club co-founder Carol Anne Stewart commented, "the FA are investing seriously in women's football. This is where the SFA are miles behind. They don't recognise the potential".[25]
The issue of competitive imbalance was the catalyst for the separation of the top Scottish clubs into two reduced divisions, SWPL 1 and SWPL 2, in 2016.[26]
The first professional contracts in the SWPL were signed at Glasgow Girls (Glasgow Women) in 2016, by Lauren Coleman and Lauren Evans.[27] The next full-time contracts were offered later by Rangers and Celtic.[28]
2020–present
[edit]There were fears for the league's survival when the 2020 season was halted[29] and eventually voided[30] due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with other Scottish football organisations, the SWPL and SWF Championship received donations from the philanthropist James Anderson[31] and from an anonymous donor: "The focus was to buy time so the women's game could survive the COVID crisis until it was safe for football to return."[32] The ￡437,500 total was the biggest investment in SWF to date.[32]
The 2020–21 season was completed, as Glasgow City won their 14th title in a row.[1] In 2022, a majority of the 17 SWPL clubs voted to leave SWF and join the SPFL[4][33] after months of negotiations between those parties and the SFA, and an SFA review from April 2020 until mid-2021, which resolved to improve governance of elite competitions.[34][35][36] The decision was aimed at improving the league's commercial profile and broadcasting deal.[35][37] The league maintained its two divisions and expanded to 20 clubs.[38][39] The top two tiers of women's football are run within the SPFL by a separate board that includes the clubs' representatives.[36]
Trophies
[edit]New trophies were introduced for the 2022–23 season: the main championship trophy topped with a golden crown, and the SWPL trophy on a smaller scale with a silver crown.[40][41] Revamped branding and logos were also introduced.[42]
The trophies were made by British silverware manufacturers and Royal Warrant holders to His Majesty the King, Thomas Lyte.[43]
Format
[edit]From 2002–03 until 2008–09, the SWPL followed Scottish football's traditional autumn-spring calendar, as the SWFL had. Scottish Women's Football changed all leagues to a summer format and the SWPL became a summer league from 2009 until 2020, running from March until November. The 2009 season was shortened to fit, as a single round-robin. The 2020 season was abandoned due to COVID-19, and Scottish women's football has reverted to winter seasons from 2020–21 onwards.
The initial Women's Premier League format was based on a double round-robin of 12 clubs. Some seasons had fewer games, in part due to the withdrawals of Shettleston (2003–04),[11] Newburgh Juniors (2007–08),[18] and Queen's Park (2008–09).[44] The 2011 season also had an 11-club league. From 2012 until 2015, the SWPL division used the "split" format for the first and last half of the season: a 12-team single round-robin, then a double round-robin between the top six and bottom six clubs respectively, to decide league champions and two relegation places to the First Division (SWFL 1).
The two-division format that began in 2016 created SWPL 1 and SWPL 2, with eight clubs in each, playing each other three times a season;[45] the mid-season "split" was discontinued. Only the SWPL 2 champion club was promoted, while its two last-placed teams were relegated to SWFL 1.
SWPL 2 was expanded to 10 clubs in 2020. SWPL 1 expanded to 10 clubs in 2021–22,[46] but, because of the withdrawal of SWPL 1's Forfar Farmington from the SWPL,[47] three clubs were promoted from SWPL 2, which shrank to seven clubs playing each other four times.[48]
A 12-club "split" format returned in SWPL 1 in 2022–23, but with a double round-robin before the "split".[38][39] SWPL 2 added three clubs from the Championship; SWPL 2 has eight teams playing each other four times, one automatic promotion place to SWPL 1, and a second place decided by a promotion/relegation play-off.[38]
The SWPL champions have qualified for the UEFA Women's Cup/Women's Champions League since 2003; the first Scottish club to qualify had been the SWFL's Ayr United in 2001. Glasgow City were the first Scottish club to reach the last 16 (2008–09) and the quarter-finals (2014–15, 2019–20). Depending on the Scottish national coefficient, the league runners-up have also qualified in some seasons since 2015, including in 2021–22[2] and 2022–23.
2023–24 teams
[edit]
SWPL
[edit]
| Club | Location | Home ground | Capacity | 2022–23 position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | Cove Bay | Balmoral Stadium | 2,602 | 9th |
| Celtic | Airdrie | Excelsior Stadium | 10,101 | 2nd |
| Dundee United | Dundee | Gussie Park | TBC | 10th |
| Glasgow City | Springburn | Petershill Park | 1,000 | 1st |
| Hamilton Academical | Hamilton | New Douglas Park | 6,018 | 11th |
| Heart of Midlothian | Riccarton | Oriam | 1,000 | 4th |
| Hibernian | Edinburgh | Meadowbank Stadium | 1,320 | 5th |
| Montrose | Montrose | Links Park | 4,936 | 1st (SWPL2) |
| Motherwell | East Kilbride | K-Park | 500 | 8th |
| Partick Thistle | Springburn | Petershill Park | 1,000 | 6th |
| Rangers | Cumbernauld | Broadwood Stadium | 8,086 | 3rd |
| Spartans | Edinburgh | Ainslie Park | 3,000 | 7th |
SWPL 2
[edit]
| Club | Location | Home ground | Capacity | 2022–23 position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boroughmuir Thistle | Edinburgh | Meadowbank Stadium | 1,320 | 5th |
| Gartcairn | Airdrie | MTC Park | 300 | 2nd |
| Glasgow Women | Motherwell | Alliance Park | 500 | 12th (SWPL1) |
| Kilmarnock | Kilmarnock | Rugby Park | 15,003 | 4th |
| Livingston | Livingston | Almondvale | 9,713 | 1st (SWF Championship) |
| Queen's Park | Govan | New Tinto Park | 1,000 | 6th |
| St Johnstone | Perth | Riverside Stadium | 500 | 3rd |
| Stirling University | Stirling | Gannochy Sports Centre | 1,000 | 7th |
Champions
[edit]List of Scottish Women's Premier League seasons:[1]
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SWPL 2
[edit]
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Past SWPL clubs include Ayr United, Dundee, Cove Rangers, Giulianos, Inver-Ross, Lossiemouth, Raith Rovers, Shettleston,[5] East Kilbride,[17] Hutchison Vale, Newburgh Juniors,[59] and Forfar Farmington.[47] Clubs taken over by existing members include Arsenal North (Celtic) and Whitehill Welfare/Edinburgh Ladies (Spartans).
Broadcasting
[edit]In September 2018, it was announced that BBC Alba would broadcast four SWPL 1 matches during the remainder of the 2018 season. Scottish Women's Football (SWF) and BBC Alba also announced that this will be a two-year deal for six games per year,[needs update] including the Scottish Women's Cup final and Scottish Women's Premier League Cup final.[60] In 2023 Sky Sports and BBC Scotland have been airing SWPL games and SWPL1's matches began to appear on Sky Sports News' vidiprinter service.
Sponsorship
[edit]The league's sponsors in 2002–03 were Thompsons Solicitors.[8] From 2018, the league was sponsored by the Scottish Building Society.[61] In November 2021 Park's Motor Group became the sponsor, initially running until the end of the 2021–22 season.[62]
In popular culture
[edit]The Scottish Women's Premier League table was first included in the Evening Times Wee Red Book in 2008–09.[63]
References
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- ^ a b "2022/23 Women's Champions League: dates, access list, full guide (Wednesday 20 October 2021)". UEFA. UEFA.
- ^ a b "Women's football: SFA in charge as Celts join up". Glasgow Times. 9 August 2007. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020.
- ^ a b "SWPL to be administered by the SPFL for season 2022/23". Scottish Women's Football. 15 February 2022. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022.
- ^ a b "Scottish women's league kicks off". BBC Sport. 9 August 2002. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
- ^ a b "Clubs, SCOTTISH WOMEN'S PREMIER LEAGUE (2002—03)". SWFA. Archived from the original on 16 May 2003.
- ^ "KILLIE STILL TOPS". SWFA. Archived from the original on 16 May 2003.
- ^ a b "HIBERNIAN CLOSE THE GAP". SWFA. Archived from the original on 16 May 2003.
- ^ Clark, Ginny (3 November 2004). "WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: Shel makes boss plea". Daily Record.
- ^ "Killie Ladies shine for Scotland". Killiefc.com. 15 July 2003. Archived from the original on 12 August 2003.
- ^ a b Sch?ggl, Hans. "Scotland (Women) 2003/04". RSSSF.
- ^ Clark, Ginny (29 October 2003). "Women's football: Hibees hit the heights". Daily Record.
- ^ a b Sch?ggl, Hans. "Scotland (Women) 2005/06". RSSSF.
- ^ Sch?ggl, Hans. "Scotland (Women) 2006/07". RSSSF.
- ^ "Hibernian Ladies Scottish League Champions 2005/2006". Youtube. BBC Alba. 29 November 2010.
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- ^ a b c Clark, Ginny (1 June 2005). "WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: Glory at last for City girls". Daily Record.
- ^ a b c Sch?ggl, Hans. "Scotland (Women) 2007/08". RSSSF.
- ^ "Scottish Womens Football". Scottish Football Association. The Scottish FA. Archived from the original on 23 May 2010.
- ^ "Scottish football season: Should it be moved to the summer?". BBC Sport. 2 May 2013.
- ^ MacBeath, Amy (27 October 2018). "SWPL 1: Glasgow City's Leanne Ross on brink of 12th consecutive title". BBC Sport Scotland.
- ^ "Glasgow City secure sixth Scottish Cup win and second successive domestic treble". Scotzine. 17 November 2013.
- ^ a b "Glasgow City: Scott Booth hails treble-winning side". BBC Sport. 8 November 2015.
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- ^ "James Anderson makes further donation to Scottish football as he gifts women's game with ￡250,000". Glasgow Times. 16 June 2020.
- ^ a b "Keepie Uppie: The Magazine of the SFP Partnership & Trust (December 2020)" (PDF). The Scottish Football Partnership. p. 3.
- ^ "SWPL clubs to be invited to join SPFL after majority vote to leave SWF". BBC Sport. 15 February 2022. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022.
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- ^ a b Campbell, Alan (19 December 2021). "Top SWPL clubs set to meet SPFL for game-changing talks". The Herald. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021.
- ^ a b Goodwin, Sophie (16 February 2022). "Scottish FA Head of Girls' and Women's Football says SWPL's move to SPFL is the 'biggest change' she's seen in the women's game". The Press & Journal. Archived from the original on 16 February 2022.
- ^ "SPFL to take charge of Scottish Women's Premier League in bold bid to boost profile and finances". Daily Record. 15 February 2022. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022.
- ^ a b c "SWPL announce 12-team top flight plans to mirror mens' [sic] SPFL". Edinburgh News. 1 April 2022. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022.
- ^ a b "SWPL top flight expanding to 12 teams for next season". BBC Scotland. 1 April 2022. Archived from the original on 1 April 2022.
- ^ "SWPL: Two New Trophies Announced in Scotland". Thomas Lyte. 20 March 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
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- ^ Kicking off a new SWPL era, Frame Agency
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- ^ a b Sch?ggl, Hans. "Scotland (Women) 2008/09". RSSSF.
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- ^ a b "Forfar Farmington a sorry casualty of the professional era". The Herald. 15 August 2021. Archived from the original on 15 August 2021.
- ^ "SWF Statement - 2021/22 SWPL 2 format". SWF. 2 September 2021. Archived from the original on 2 September 2021.
- ^ "Glasgow City clinch Scottish Women's Premier League". BBC. 2 October 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
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- ^ "SWPL: Glasgow City beat Spartans to claim 12th title in a row". BBC Sport. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
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- ^ "BBC ALBA set to broadcast four Scottish Building Society SWPL games". Scottish Women's Premier League. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
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- ^ Gray, Rebecca (3 July 2009). "81 fascinating football facts - all from the Wee Red Book". Evening Times. Glasgow Times.