2011 FA WSL
The 2011 FA WSL was the inaugural season of the FA WSL, the top-level women's football league of England. The season began on 13 April 2011 and ended on 28 August 2011. The league also took a break between 12 May and mid-July to allow preparation for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Arsenal won the competition, their eighth consecutive English title, while Birmingham finished second. The second entry to the UEFA Women's Champions League was supposed to be given to the FA Women's Cup winner, but on 6 December 2011 it was announced that Birmingham as runners-up were given the spot.
Teams
Sixteen clubs applied for a place in the inaugural season of the league: Arsenal, Barnet, Birmingham [City L.F.C.|Birmingham City], Bristol Academy, Chelsea, Colchester United, Doncaster Rovers [Belles L.F.C.|Doncaster Rovers Belles], Everton, Leeds Carnegie, Leicester City, Lincoln, Liverpool, Millwall Lionesses, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Sunderland. Leeds Carnegie later withdrew their application.Eight clubs were then picked by the FA from the remaining fifteen applicants: Arsenal, Birmingham City, Bristol Academy, Chelsea, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Everton, Lincoln, and Liverpool.