Three weeks after England stormed to Euros glory, women’s football returns this weekend as the Barclays Women’s Championship kicks-off another massive season.
With the nation still giddy off the back of Chloe Kelly's Wembley winner and the World Cup following next summer, expect bigger attendances and increased interest across the country as the scramble for promotion begins.
There will be Lionesses in action on Sunday – London City Lionesses that is – with last season’s second-place side hoping to go one better as they prepare to open their campaign against local rivals Crystal Palace.
Palace are well-placed to improve on their fourth-place finish from last season, while London City manager Melissa Phillips is hellbent on ensuring their top-two placing was not a fluke. She said: “There's a handful of teams who are going to be extremely competitive at the top of the league.
“Of course, Birmingham City will have the WSL experience from seasons past as will Bristol City.
“Palace, I think everyone puts a lot of emphasis on their new-look squad. Charlton Athletic have high ambitions as well. Southampton is a fantastically run club, the list goes on.
“There's no given game in the Women's Championship, it's about maintaining consistency and focus as a squad and a team like ourselves to make sure that we end the season where we want to be.
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“We are coming in as the second-place team from last season, but a lot of people think that it was a one-off year, so that's on our shoulders now to make sure that we continue the growth of the club.”
The two new teams in the league bookend the first weekend of action as newcomers Southampton kick off the 2022-23 season against Charlton Athletic with kick-off at 12:30pm on Saturday at St Mary’s.
The Saints defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Women’s National League play-off final to clinch the sole promotion spot.
And despite reaching tier two for the first time, they can lead on the wealth of experience of head coach and England legend Marieanne Spacey.
The weekend ends with Birmingham City, a founder member of the Women’s Super League, getting their first taste of Championship action.
They take on Lewes, the only club in the world to play their women’s and men’s team equally, who defeated champions Liverpool in their final game of last season.
They kick off at 4:30pm on Sunday, but before that, there is the Wear derby as a sold-out Maiden Castle hosts Durham and Sunderland at 12:30pm.
Durham finished ten points ahead of Sunderland as the Lasses adjusted to life in the Championship, but will now be looking to stake their claim to the sole promotion spot to the Women’s Super League.
Another derby follows at 2pm when Lancashire takes on Yorkshire, with Blackburn Rovers hosting Sheffield United at Ewood Park.
Several Championship games will be held at major stadiums, with Sheffield United making Bramall Lane their permanent home this season.
At 2:30pm, Coventry United will play once again in the Championship having come seconds away from relegation.
In their final game of last season, Mollie Green’s thundering free-kick in the seventh minute of injury time sent opponents Watford down while sealing Coventry’s own survival, only five months on from being saved from administration.
Taking on last year’s third-place team, Bristol City, the Red and Greens will be hoping for a little less drama this year.
To follow the action and sign up for The FA Player’s live Barclays FA Women’s Super League coverage visit womenscompetitions.thefa.com
