Crystal Palace Ladies to join FA Women's Super League

The female football team of Crystal Palace are pushing to become part of the Women's Super League for the 2018-19 season. A revamp of the existing FA Women's Super League could see up to 14 full-time teams in a new more professionalised top flight from the 2018/19 season.
The deadline for existing clubs to apply for the new licences has now passed and applications from outside the Women's Super League will be considered from March. Crystal Palace Ladies are currently fourth in FA Women's Premier League South and have games in hand on all of the teams above them.

Club chairman, Richard Spokes said “At Palace, we are keen to remain realistic and build a structure that enables sustained growth and progression. Whilst the idea of our club having a full-time women's set-up is hugely appealing, we are keen to work our way there and be able to gain the place on merit and with a view to sustaining it. We are currently working very hard with the hugely supportive management at CPFC, our partners such as Bromley FC and Utilita and ensuring that we are able to meet the strict criteria set by The FA. This process will see us work closely with The FA and WSL and see some significant changes to our club structure. Whether our application relates to being promoted or applying for any available licence in the new structure, the deadline is March 2018 and the clock is ticking!”