How the 2011 FA WSL season was won

Arsenal claimed the inaugural FA Women's Super League title by just three points

The inaugural season of the FA Women’s Super League in 2011 certainly did not disappoint, as the foundations were laid for the thrills and spills that continue to entertain fans up and down the country today.

And it was Laura Harvey’s Arsenal who reigned supreme almost a decade ago, edging out a pulsating title race after a composed 3-1 final day victory away at Liverpool.

It was far from plain sailing for the Gunners, however, who spent large parts of the season trailing surprise package Birmingham City before a 1-0 victory over Everton saw them usurp the Blues’ lead on the penultimate day of the season.

And that paved the way for a repeat of Arsenal’s dominance that had been seen in the women’s game for the previous seven seasons, beating the Toffees’ Merseyside neighbours to hold the maiden FA WSL trophy aloft.

The season was a continual rollercoaster, as Harvey’s side and David Parker’s Birmingham duelled it out at the summit along with Everton and Lincoln - who finished the campaign third and fourth respectively.

Bristol Academy, Chelsea, Doncaster Rovers Belles and Liverpool comprised the remainder of the eight-team division, with all clubs vying to become the first name engraved on the prestigious FA WSL trophy.

It was Arsenal and the Blues who set the pace, though, with Parker’s side turning their DCS Stadium into something of a fortress with impressive triumphs against Bristol, Chelsea, Doncaster and Lincoln throughout the duration of the season.

The Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw in the West Midlands as the division’s two frontrunners went head to head, while Everton picked up a brilliant 3-2 victory at the DCS and Liverpool left the hosts frustrated with a 0-0 stalemate.

Arsenal’s home record was almost flawless in response, winning all but one of their matches at Meadow Park apart from the visit of Birmingham - where the visitors departed jubilant with a 2-1 victory.

Along the way it was the duo of Birmingham’s Rachel Williams and Arsenal’s Kim Little who battled it out at the top of the goalscoring charts, with both demonstrating prolific form across the season.

But it was ex-Leicester City star Williams who took the eventual golden boot with ease, finishing the campaign with 14 goals - six ahead of Scottish playmaker Little.


The Blues and the Gunners both finished the campaign with four away victories each to add to their impressive home records, while Everton represented a constant threat just behind them after picking up brilliant wins at Birmingham and at home to Arsenal.

And while they remained in touching distance for much of the campaign it was Harvey’s side who went into the final day with a narrow one point advantage, toppling the Toffees 1-0 ten days before to mean that a win at Liverpool would secure them the title.


And they duly delivered on Merseyside against their bottom-place opponents - although there was no relegation in the 2011 season - as a Rachel Yankey double and a Little penalty capped off a stylish 3-1 win to see them end the season as champions.


While Birmingham needed a result against Doncaster - and an Arsenal slip up - to have any hope of lifting the trophy they were held to a 2-2 draw at the Keepmoat Stadium, meaning it was the Gunners who triumphed by three points to make it eight domestic titles in a row for the women from North London.

Both sides secured qualification for the 2012/13 UEFA Champions League as Arsenal were crowned champions of England, ensuring they got the FA WSL ball rolling in style with a scintillating 2011 season.