{{short description|Seventh season of the top English women's association football league}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}} {{Infobox football league season | competition = FA WSL 1 | season = 2017–18 | winners = Chelsea | relegated = | continentalcup1 = Champions League | continentalcup1 qualifiers = Chelsea<br/>Manchester City | league topscorer = Ellen White (15 goals) | biggest home win = {{nobreak|Liverpool 8–0 Yeovil Town}}<br>(6 January 2018) | biggest away win = {{nobreak|Sunderland 0–6 Chelsea}}<br>(30 September 2017) | highest scoring = {{nobreak|Liverpool 8–0 Yeovil Town}}<br>(6 January 2018) | matches = 90 | total goals = 282 | prevseason = Spring Series | nextseason = 2018–19 | updated = }} The '''2017–18 FA WSL 1''' was the seventh edition of the FA WSL since it was formed in 2010. It was the first season of WSL which ran as a winter league.<ref name="winter">{{cite web|title=Women's Super League to switch to winter season in 2017|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36774563|access-date=9 October 2016|archive-date=3 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703045037/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36774563|url-status=live}}</ref> It started in September 2017 and ended in May 2018, with ten teams competing in both leagues.<ref name="winter" /><ref>{{cite web|title=FA Women's Super League to move to new calendar in 2017|url=http://www.fawsl.com/news/fa_womens_super_league_to_move_to_new_calendar_in_2017.html#HPP2bEBoIATfiEaU.97|access-date=9 October 2016|archive-date=11 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011214546/http://www.fawsl.com/news/fa_womens_super_league_to_move_to_new_calendar_in_2017.html#HPP2bEBoIATfiEaU.97|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="10 teams">{{cite web|last1=Garry|first1=Tom|title=Women's Super League: WSL 2 clubs invited to apply to replace Notts County Ladies|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39934711|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=17 May 2017|archive-date=26 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126051413/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39934711|url-status=live}}</ref>
The Football Association removed promotion and relegation between the two tiers for the end of the season. The league was instead restructured, with clubs required to apply for licenses under new criteria for the top tier in the 2018–19 season.<ref name="Restructure">{{cite web|last1=Garry|first1=Tom|title=Women's Super League: Restructure can help make league best in world – Katie Brazier|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41432642|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=1 October 2017|archive-date=5 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805074737/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41432642|url-status=live}}</ref>
A one-off competition, the FA WSL Spring Series, ran from February to May 2017 to bridge the gap from the 2016 FA WSL season.<ref name=ss>{{cite web|title=New calendar for FA WSL|url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2016/07/new-calendar-for-fa-wsl.html|access-date=12 October 2016|archive-date=13 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013013010/http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2016/07/new-calendar-for-fa-wsl.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Ten teams competed this season.<ref name="winter" /> Following the closure of Notts County Ladies in April 2017, the FA announced that one place in the league would be given to a team which competed in the Spring Series, based on an evaluation by the FA of applicant clubs' business plans, budget, youth development, facilities and on-pitch performance.<ref name="10 teams" /> The place was subsequently given to Everton.<ref name="ev1" />
There was no relegation based on results at the end of the season due to the league's restructure.<ref name="Restructure" />
==Teams== With the collapse of Notts County Ladies just prior to the Spring Series, the ten clubs of WSL 2 were invited to apply for a place in the 2017–18 season. Two sides, champions Everton and runners-up Doncaster Rovers, applied. On 9 June 2017, subject to appeal, Everton were awarded the position.<ref name=ev1>{{cite web|title=Everton have been elected to FA Women's Super League 1|url=http://www.fawsl.com/news/everton_have_been_elected_to_fa_womens_super_league_1.html#XyiOvMY23Z5U7LQx.97|access-date=9 June 2017|archive-date=24 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524081904/http://www.fawsl.com/news/everton_have_been_elected_to_fa_womens_super_league_1.html#XyiOvMY23Z5U7LQx.97|url-status=live}}</ref>{{location map+ |England |width=300 |caption=Locations of the 2017–18 WSL 1 teams |places= {{location map~ |England |lat=51.6578 |long=-0.2723 |label= <div style="font-size:80%;">Arsenal</div>}} {{location map~ |England |lat=52.4386 |long=-1.7572 |label= <div style="font-size:80%;">Birmingham City</div>}} {{location map~ |England |lat=51.5293 |long=-2.5692 |label= <div style="font-size:80%;">Bristol City</div>|position=left}} {{location map~ |England |lat=51.405083 |long=-0.281944 |label= <div style="font-size:80%;">Chelsea</div>|position=bottom}} {{location map~ |England |lat=53.365833|long=-2.738333 |label= <div style="font-size:80%;">Everton</div>|position=left}} {{location map~ |England |lat=53.365833|long=-2.738333 |label= <div style="font-size:80%;">Liverpool</div>|position=bottom}} {{location map~ |England |lat=53.4838 |long=-2.2038 |label= <div style="font-size:80%;">Manchester City</div>|position=top}} {{location map~ |England |lat=51.357046 |long=-1.137521 |label= <div style="font-size:80%;">Reading</div>|position=left}} {{location map~ |England |lat=54.821664 |long=-1.4555 |label= <div style="font-size:80%;">Sunderland</div>|position=right}} {{location map~ |England |lat=50.950261 |long=-2.673844 |label= <div style="font-size:80%;">Yeovil Town</div>|position=left}} }} {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Team !! Location !! Ground !! Capacity !! data-sort-type=number|2016 season !! data-sort-type=number|Spring Series |- | Arsenal || Borehamwood || Meadow Park ||style="text-align:center"| 4,502 ||style="text-align:center"| 3rd ||style="text-align:center"| 3rd |- | Birmingham City || Solihull || Damson Park ||style="text-align:center"| 3,050 ||style="text-align:center"| 5th ||style="text-align:center"| 7th |- | Bristol City || Filton || Stoke Gifford Stadium ||style="text-align:center"| 1,500 ||style="text-align:center"| {{hs|12}}2nd, WSL 2 ||style="text-align:center"| 8th |- | Chelsea || Kingston upon Thames || Kingsmeadow ||style="text-align:center"| 4,850 ||style="text-align:center"| 2nd ||style="text-align:center"| 1st |- | Everton || Widnes || Select Security Stadium ||style="text-align:center"| 13,350 ||style="text-align:center"| {{hs|13}}3rd, WSL 2 ||style="text-align:center"| {{hs|11}}1st, WSL2 |- | Liverpool || Widnes || Select Security Stadium ||style="text-align:center"| 13,350 ||style="text-align:center"| 4th ||style="text-align:center"| 4th |- | Manchester City || Manchester || Academy Stadium ||style="text-align:center"| 7,000 ||style="text-align:center"| 1st ||style="text-align:center"| 2nd |- | Reading || High Wycombe || Adams Park ||style="text-align:center"| 9,617 ||style="text-align:center"| 8th ||style="text-align:center"| 6th |- | Sunderland || South Shields || Mariners Park ||style="text-align:center"| 3,000 ||style="text-align:center"| 7th ||style="text-align:center"| 5th |- | Yeovil Town || Yeovil || Huish Park ||style="text-align:center"| 9,565 ||style="text-align:center"| {{hs|11}}1st, WSL 2 ||style="text-align:center"| 9th |} {{clear}}
== Table == <onlyinclude>{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL |show_limit=5 |section=WSL 1 |update=complete |source=[http://www.fawsl.com/stats.html FA WSL]
<!--Update team positions here--> |team1=CHE|team2=MCI|team3=ARS|team4=REA|team5=BIR|team6=LIV|team7=SUN|team8=BRI|team9=EVE|team10=YEO
<!--Update team results here and then (if needed positions above). Dont forget to update the date above (update parameter)--> |win_ARS=11|draw_ARS=4|loss_ARS=3 |gf_ARS=38|ga_ARS=18 |win_BIR=9 |draw_BIR=3|loss_BIR=6 |gf_BIR=30|ga_BIR=18 |win_BRI=5 |draw_BRI=1|loss_BRI=12|gf_BRI=13|ga_BRI=47 |win_CHE=13|draw_CHE=5|loss_CHE=0 |gf_CHE=44|ga_CHE=13 |win_EVE=4 |draw_EVE=2|loss_EVE=12|gf_EVE=19|ga_EVE=30 |win_LIV=9 |draw_LIV=1|loss_LIV=8 |gf_LIV=30|ga_LIV=27 |win_MCI=12|draw_MCI=2|loss_MCI=4 |gf_MCI=51|ga_MCI=17 |win_REA=9 |draw_REA=5|loss_REA=4 |gf_REA=40|ga_REA=18 |win_SUN=5 |draw_SUN=1|loss_SUN=12|gf_SUN=15|ga_SUN=40 |win_YEO=0 |draw_YEO=2|loss_YEO=16|gf_YEO=2 |ga_YEO=54
<!--Team definitions (wikilinks in table)--> |name_ARS=Arsenal |name_BIR=Birmingham City |name_BRI=Bristol City |name_CHE=Chelsea |name_EVE=Everton |name_LIV=Liverpool |name_MCI=Manchester City |name_REA=Reading |name_SUN=Sunderland |name_YEO=Yeovil Town
<!--Status--> |status_CHE=C |status_SUN=R
<!--Update team qualifications here (defined below)--> |class_rules = 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
|res_col_header=Q |result1=CL |result2=CL |result7=REL |col_CL=green1 |text_CL=Qualification for the Champions League knockout phase |col_REL=red1 |text_REL=Did not apply for a licence, Relegation to the FA Women's National League }}</onlyinclude>
== Results == {{#invoke:sports results|main | source = [http://www.fawsl.com/stats.html FA WSL] | update = 15 May 2018 | matches_style = FBR | showteam = <!-- for bolding one team results --> | team1= ARS | team2= BIR | team3= BRI | team4= CHE | team5= EVE | team6= LIV | team7= MCI | team8= REA | team9= SUN | team10= YEO
| name_ARS = Arsenal | name_BIR = Birmingham City | name_BRI = Bristol City | name_CHE = Chelsea | name_EVE = Everton | name_LIV = Liverpool | name_MCI = Manchester City | name_REA = Reading | name_SUN = Sunderland | name_YEO = Yeovil Town
| match_ARS_BIR = 3–2 | match_ARS_BRI = 1–1 | match_ARS_CHE = 1–1 | match_ARS_EVE = 1–0 | match_ARS_LIV = 3–0 | match_ARS_MCI = 2–1 | match_ARS_REA = 3–1 | match_ARS_SUN = 3–0 | match_ARS_YEO = 4–0
| match_BIR_ARS = 3–0 | match_BIR_BRI = 2–0 | match_BIR_CHE = 0–2 | match_BIR_EVE = 2–1 | match_BIR_LIV = 4–0 | match_BIR_MCI = 2–0 | match_BIR_REA = 1-1 | match_BIR_SUN = 2–0 | match_BIR_YEO = 3–0
| match_BRI_ARS = 1-6 | match_BRI_BIR = 0–2 | match_BRI_CHE = 0–2 | match_BRI_EVE = 2–1 | match_BRI_LIV = 0–2 | match_BRI_MCI = 1–6 | match_BRI_REA = 0–5 | match_BRI_SUN = 1–2 | match_BRI_YEO = 1–0
| match_CHE_ARS = 3–2 | match_CHE_BIR = 2–1 | match_CHE_BRI = 6–0 | match_CHE_EVE = 1–0 | match_CHE_LIV = 1–0 | match_CHE_MCI = 0–0 | match_CHE_REA = 2–2 | match_CHE_SUN = 2–1 | match_CHE_YEO = 6–0
| match_EVE_ARS = 0–2 | match_EVE_BIR = 0–3 | match_EVE_BRI = 1–2 | match_EVE_CHE = 0–1 | match_EVE_LIV = 0–2 | match_EVE_MCI = 2–3 | match_EVE_REA = 2–1 | match_EVE_SUN = 5–1 | match_EVE_YEO = 3–1
| match_LIV_ARS = 0–3 | match_LIV_BIR = 1–0 | match_LIV_BRI = 2–0 | match_LIV_CHE = 2-3 | match_LIV_EVE = 1–1 | match_LIV_MCI = 1–0 | match_LIV_REA = 0–3 | match_LIV_SUN = 3–1 | match_LIV_YEO = 8–0
| match_MCI_ARS = 5–2 | match_MCI_BIR = 3–1 | match_MCI_BRI = 4–0 | match_MCI_CHE = 2–2 | match_MCI_EVE = 3-0 | match_MCI_LIV = 4–0 | match_MCI_REA = 0–2 | match_MCI_SUN = 3–0 | match_MCI_YEO = 5-0
| match_REA_ARS = 0–0 | match_REA_BIR = 2–2 | match_REA_BRI = 4–0 | match_REA_CHE = 2–2 | match_REA_EVE = 3–0 | match_REA_LIV = 3–0 | match_REA_MCI = 2–5 | match_REA_SUN = 0–1 | match_REA_YEO = 3–0
| match_SUN_ARS = 0-2 | match_SUN_BIR = 3–0 | match_SUN_BRI = 1–2 | match_SUN_CHE = 0–6 | match_SUN_EVE = 1–1 | match_SUN_LIV = 1–4 | match_SUN_MCI = 0–3 | match_SUN_REA = 0–2 | match_SUN_YEO = 2-1
| match_YEO_ARS = 0–0 | match_YEO_BIR = 0–0 | match_YEO_BRI = 0–2 | match_YEO_CHE = 0–2 | match_YEO_EVE = 0–2 | match_YEO_LIV = 0–4 | match_YEO_MCI = 0–4 | match_YEO_REA = 0–4 | match_YEO_SUN = 0–1 }}
== Top goalscorers == {{updated|20 May 2018}}<ref name="PLAYER STATS">{{cite web|title=PLAYER STATS|url=http://www.fawsl.com/playerStats.html|access-date=1 October 2017|archive-date=2 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502053313/http://www.fawsl.com/playerStats.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Top Scorers – Womens Super League – Football|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/womens-super-league/top-scorers|access-date=2 April 2018|publisher=BBC Sport|archive-date=18 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918151215/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/womens-super-league/top-scorers|url-status=live}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- !Rank !Player !Team !Goals |- |1 |align="left"|{{flagicon|ENG}} Ellen White |align="left"|Birmingham City |15 |- |2 |align="left"|{{flagicon|ENG}} Nikita Parris |align="left"|Manchester City |11 |- |3 |align="left"|{{flagicon|ENG}} Beth England |align="left"|Liverpool |10 |- |rowspan="2"|4 |align="left"|{{flagicon|ENG}} Remi Allen |align="left"|Reading |rowspan="2"|9 |- |align="left"|{{flagicon|ENG}} Isobel Christiansen |align="left"|Manchester City |- |rowspan="3"|6 |align="left"|{{flagicon|ENG}} Brooke Chaplen |align="left"|Reading |rowspan="3"|8 |- |align="left"|{{flagicon|ENG}} Fran Kirby |align="left"|Chelsea |- |align="left"|{{flagicon|ENG}} Beth Mead |align="left"|Arsenal |}
==See also== *2017–18 FA WSL 2 *2017–18 FA WSL Cup
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.fawsl.com Official website]
{{FA Women's Super League}} {{2017–18 in English women's football}} {{2017–18 in European women's football (UEFA)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:FA WSL}} 2017–18 1 England