The Women’s Super League (WSL) is currently in advanced negotiations with the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) over a landmark funding deal that would allow all players in the top two tiers of women’s football in England to become union members for the first time. This development marks a significant step toward ensuring better support and protection for female players, especially those in the second tier, who have historically been excluded from accessing PFA services.
At present, the PFA does not receive dedicated financial support for the women’s game. As a result, players competing in the WSL 2 the division formerly known as the Championship have been unable to join the union or benefit from its resources. This exclusion has left many female players without access to vital healthcare, medical insurance, and welfare services, despite earning professional salaries that are often well below the national minimum wage.
Negotiations between WSL Football, the company responsible for running the top two women’s divisions, and the PFA have accelerated following Blackburn Rovers’ recent withdrawal from WSL 2. The decision by Blackburn has caused anxiety and frustration among players, many of whom were employed on part-time contracts and paid as little as £11,000 per year. The PFA stepped in to provide financial assistance to some of these players, even though it had no formal obligation to do so, highlighting the urgent need for more comprehensive union representation in the women’s game.
Currently, the PFA has approximately 250 female members, supported in part by funds redirected from its traditional backers the Premier League, English Football League, and Football Association. However, without dedicated funding for WSL 2 players, the union has been unable to extend its services to the entire professional women’s game.
An agreement in principle is understood to have been reached that would see WSL Football provide a funding package to the PFA. This funding will enable all players in both the WSL and WSL 2 to become full members of the union by the start of the next season. This timeline coincides with a landmark moment as all clubs in the top two tiers prepare to operate fully professional squads for the first time.
The Premier League currently invests around £25 million annually to fund the PFA, which represents over 5,000 male players. The forthcoming WSL deal will be smaller in scale but highly significant, as it will also introduce female-specific services for players. These will include enhanced rehabilitation programs, strength and conditioning support, and dedicated medical research tailored to the needs of female footballers.
This initiative aligns closely with the recommendations made in the Raising the Bar review, an independent government-commissioned report published in 2023 and chaired by former player Karen Carney. The review called for comprehensive funding of union representation across the top two tiers of women’s football and stressed the importance of raising minimum standards for clubs. It recommended improvements in training hours, the introduction of minimum salary requirements, and the establishment of “gold standard” physical and mental health services for players.
WSL Football is already implementing these higher standards for the upcoming season. However, the increased financial demands have proven challenging for some clubs. Blackburn’s withdrawal is the latest example of the difficulties faced by teams coping with the new requirements. A source close to another WSL 2 club suggested the standards are not overly burdensome and that most clubs accept running losses in the range of £750,000 to £1 million per year.
Blackburn’s decision follows the precedent set by Reading, who withdrew from the second tier on financial grounds last year. Wolves also faced criticism for not applying for promotion from the third tier, further highlighting the financial fragility within the women’s football pyramid.
At present, the WSL is one club short for the next season. Meanwhile, Burnley, a National League North side, has announced plans to become fully professional and has applied to fill Blackburn’s spot in WSL 2. Another possible solution is to grant a reprieve from relegation to Sheffield United, who won only one Championship game last season but have committed to maintaining full-time professional status and intend to play all home matches at Bramall Lane regardless of their division.
While WSL Football can recommend how to proceed, the final decision lies with the Football Association Board. Historically, the FA has occasionally opted to spare clubs from relegation under similar circumstances. The developments surrounding this landmark deal between WSL Football and the PFA represent a crucial step in the professionalization and welfare improvement of women’s football in England.
