What Every BWSL 2 Club Needs This Summer

What signings do each of the BWSL2 clubs need to make?

The second tier of English women's football delivered plenty of drama in 2025-26. Birmingham City claimed the title on the final day, Crystal Palace joined them in securing automatic promotion, and Charlton Athletic sealed their place in the top flight after a memorable play-off victory over Leicester City.

It was a season full of standout performers. Ashleigh Weerden was arguably one of the best players in the division, contributing 7 goals and 10 assists. At Birmingham, Lily Crosthwaite was electric, finishing the season with 8 goals and 5 assists, while Bristol City's Lexi Lloyd-Smith announced herself as one of the most exciting attackers outside the top flight, leading the scoring charts with 10 goals.

Now though, attention turns to the summer. For the promoted sides, the priority is preparing for life in the BWSL. For those remaining in the second tier, it’s about building squads capable of mounting a challenge next season. In this piece, we will use data from across the campaign to assess what every BWSL 2 club needs this summer.

Bristol City

Bristol City had a fine season and can count themselves unlucky to not finish in the top three. The Robins ended the season with 47 goals scored - the most in the division.

Their attack was incredibly exciting; Lexi Lloyd-Smith was the standout performer, contributing 10 goals, while Rio Hardy netted 9 from 9.37 xG, and the Arsenal loanee Jessie Gale chipped in with another 9. Emily Syme was the creative engine behind much of it, posting 8.57 xA, which translated into 7 actual assists, one of the standout individual figures in the league.

The challenge for Bristol City is converting that attacking quality into a genuine promotion push next season. Defensively, Gemma Lawley and Sille Struck are strong options, but adding another defender who can add extra leadership and solidity to the backline would go a long way.

Furthermore, in Bristol’s midfield, a central midfielder capable of carrying the creative load going forward would be a sensible addition.

Southampton

Southampton had an impressive fifth-place finish, with some standout performances across the squad. Mary Bashford was one of those, contributing 8 goals from central midfield, and Ellie Brazil chipped in with 6 goals from up front. For a side with such a young core, the foundations look promising.

The summer, though, will be a significant one. The departures of Jess Simpson, Tara Bourne, Atlanta Primus, Aimee Palmer, and Tegan McGowan represent a substantial loss of minutes and quality across the pitch.

The Saints will have to venture into the market to significantly rebuild their squad. Key areas, including left-back, centre-back, and central midfield, all need to be addressed before the start of the new campaign, making this one of the more demanding windows for any side in the division.

However, with a core of incredibly talented young players such as Bashford, Megan Collett and Abbie Ferguson, Southampton have the platform to push for promotion next season if they get the recruitment right. It’s looking like a pivotal summer for the club.

Newcastle United

Newcastle had a solid season, finishing sixth with 32 goals and a positive goal difference. There is real quality in this squad, none more so than Jordan Nobbs, who contributed 6 goals and 5 assists from central midfield. Emily Murphy was their most reliable striker with 6 goals and 4 assists, and Anna Tamminen was one of the best goalkeepers in the division, posting a save rate of 75.51%.

The summer brings significant change, though. The departures of Deanna Cooper, Shania Hayles, and the two Chelsea loanees, Femke Liefting and Jorja Fox, mean several positions need to be addressed. Centre back depth is the key area for Newcastle. Strengthening the defence will provide them with a better platform to push for promotion next season.

However, with Hayles gone, the attacking depth is thinner than before, so additional dynamism in the front line would also likely be a priority.

Nobbs at 33 is also a consideration for the longer term, and building midfield options around her while she remains available makes sense. Newcastle have a solid foundation to build from, but this window will require smart recruitment to maintain their momentum.

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest are at something of a turning point. Following their seventh-place finish, this summer represents something of a fresh start at the City Ground. New manager Tom Mallinson takes charge of a squad that has seen significant change, with a large number of departures, both permanent and loan returns, meaning the rebuild begins in earnest.

The core that remains is very workable. Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah was their standout performer, contributing 7 goals, and Chloe Mustaki was solid defensively, posting a defensive duel win rate of 77.46%. Rachel Rowe provided the calmness that comes with experience while Amy Rodgers was a steady presence in the middle of the park.

Looking ahead, Mallinson will know there is significant work to do. Goals, creativity, and defensive depth all need addressing, and with quite a few players to replace, multiple signings across the pitch will be needed. It is certainly a big window for Forest, but with a fresh start comes fresh opportunity.

Durham

Durham finished tenth with 27 goals, and the data points clearly to where the problem lies. Beth Hepple was their standout performer, contributing 8 goals and 4 assists from midfield. Mollie Lambert was also solid, adding 4 goals and 2.02 xA. The midfield pair really have been the heartbeat of this side.

Mariana Speckmaier led the line but managed just 4 goals, and no other recognised forward player contributed more than 2 goals all season and Durham are asking too much of their midfielders in terms of goal output.

The defensive foundation is solid enough, but more goals are needed.

Sunderland

Sunderland finished eighth and are another club who have a significant summer ahead. The key piece of news for fans is that Emily Scarr has committed her future to the club. The forward scored 6 goals from 6.18 xG last season, as reliable a return as you will find, and building around her makes perfect sense.

Beyond that, though, there’s a lot of work to do. The departures of Hannah Greenwood and Louise Griffiths leave the defence lacking depth, and with Hamilton's loan also at an end, defensive reinforcement is an urgent priority. A left-back and a left centre-back are both needed as priority signings.

In goal, following the departures of Moloney and Lambourne, a reliable first-choice goalkeeper also has to be top of the list.

Moreover, the midfield is an area where quality could be added. Sunderland would benefit from another technical player who is comfortable in possession and able to keep the ball in tight spaces. Someone who can bring that quality on the ball will be crucial if Sunderland are to push higher up the table next season.

Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town enjoyed a strong second half of the season to claim ninth place in the BWSL 2. The summer window will be an interesting one for the Tractor Girls as they will want to put together a squad capable of avoiding a relegation battle once again. The departure of Natasha Thomas, the club's all-time record scorer, marks the end of an era. Thomas was still contributing this season with a couple of goals, and her presence and experience will be difficult to replace.

Riana Dean, who scored 5 goals from 5.61 xG, is also departing, leaving Ipswich with very little proven goal threat. Finding at least one, ideally two strikers, has to be the priority this window.

The creative platform is there as Sophie Peskett contributed 5 goals and 4.10 xA from the right, making her one of the most exciting wide players in the division. However, without someone to convert that supply, it counts for little.

It is a rebuilding summer for Ipswich, but with young players like Leah Mitchell and Princess Ademiluyi, there are still some really promising players at the club, alongside more experienced heads like Grace Neville and Jenna Dear.

Sheffield United

Sheffield United netted just 21 goals all season, which has been the main source of their issues. Amy Andrews led the line with 9 goals, but she needs someone else to provide additional goal output in the final third.

Behind her, Charlie Devlin was their most creative player with 4 goals and 4.51 xA from midfield, but the Blades really lack a player who can receive under pressure and retain possession as they look to transition into attack.

Abbie Lafayette's 3.49 xA from left back shows she is one of the most exciting fullbacks in the division and can have a real influence in the Blades’ attack next season. The defensive unit is young and still developing, and adding a little more depth to support Reavill, Sherwood and Taylor could provide a bit more solidity in the back line.

Leicester City

Leicester City were relegated from the top flight, and the data tells us why. The Foxes netted just 11 goals all season, the fewest in the division by some distance, reflecting a team that simply could not create enough to compete at this level.

The squad's age profile perhaps did not help either. Cayman, Williams, and Neville are 37, 38, and 33 respectively, and the lack of younger players coming through meant there was little energy or freshness to call upon when results were going against them.

Leicester also conceded 52 goals across the season, the most in the league, and rarely looked solid defensively. Leitzig was actually one of their better performers between the posts, but she had precious little protection in front of her. Coupled with the inability to score at the other end, it was a difficult season from start to finish.

What happens next for Leicester will depend on factors beyond the pitch, but they will hope to come back stronger.

The Promoted Sides: Burnley, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Watford

Three clubs will be making their BWSL 2 debuts next season, and all three arrive with plenty to be excited about. Burnley dominated the Northern Premier Division, going the entire season unbeaten and finishing as champions with 62 points.

Goalkeeper Kirstie Levell was remarkable throughout, keeping an extraordinary 18 clean sheets, while Millie Ravening shared the Golden Boot with Wolves’ Amber Hughes, netting 19 goals for the season apiece.

Wolverhampton Wanderers secured their own promotion through the play-offs, beating Plymouth Argyle 1-0, with Hughes central to their success all season. In the south, Watford were equally impressive, winning the Southern Premier Division title under Manager of the Season Renée Hector. Madison Perry was the Golden Boot winner with 23 goals, and will be looking to establish herself in the BWSL 2 next season.

The step up will be a significant challenge for all three clubs, and recruitment will be key. Watford have already seen several departures, including Annie Rossiter, Sophie McLean, Anne Meiwald, and Reda Ayisi, who contributed 9 goals, meaning reinforcements will be needed.

Wolves too have released a number of players this summer. The quality of the league they are entering is higher than what they have faced, and all three clubs will need to add players with experience at this level if they are to establish themselves and avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.

Conclusion

The second tier of English women's football is growing, and fast. Three ambitious newly promoted sides will join the division next season, each bringing their own momentum and hunger to prove themselves at a higher level.

Meanwhile, established clubs will look to build on what they have learned this season, and others will use the window to carry out significant rebuilds.

The summer window is where some questions start to get answered. Recruitment at this level is as important as anywhere in the game, and the right signings can transform a mid-table side into a promotion contender.

It’s highly likely that we will see a lot of movement happening across the division; with that in mind, it promises to be one of the most active and interesting windows in recent memory.