Leeds United manager Simon Wood
(Credit: Leeds United)
Carla Devine
Sun 22 June 2025 16:40, UK
Simon Wood had an excellent season with Leeds United Women, despite falling short of promotion.
Looking to go up from the National League is no easy task, with just one promotion spot available for the champions of the division.
Nevertheless, after a solid season of progress, Wood will be looking to push to the very top with the Whites next term, and he has just been granted a new reason to go even further.
Elland Road
Leeds are looking to gain promotion next season. (Credit: Imago)
FA approve new WSL plans
Since the takeover of the WSL happened last summer, the end of the season has marked several changes that will soon be put into place.
It’s been no secret that the current state of women’s football is a difficult one, from the top to the National League and further down, as the balance between sustainability and growth is struck throughout the pyramid.
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The new ownership recently announced plans for expansion in the WSL, starting from the 2025/26 season, which will see 14 clubs end up in the top flight, rather than the current 12 sides.
This means that the top two sides in WSL 2 will get automatic promotion to the top.
The 11th-placed side in the WSL will then have a play-off with the third top side in WSL 2 to settle on who gets the final spot in the league.
It has now been announced that the FA have approved these plans, putting more competition on the minds of those competing in the WSL next term.
Leeds United fans
Leeds fans already have a reason to feel optimistic about the future.
Leeds Women must look up
Leeds may be in the National League for the time being, but the approval of the WSL expansion has to serve as motivation for Wood’s side to push up the leagues.
The West Yorkshire outfit ended up finishing 10 points off the top spot last season, suffering from a bit of a dip in form after the Christmas break.
Team Position Goal Difference Points
Middlesbrough 1 32 51
Cheadle Town 2 27 51
Chorley 3 17 43
Leeds United 4 21 41
Leeds need to push a bit further next season.
Nevertheless, there is plenty of talent in the squad that can now be built around, and if Wood can retain the likes of Amy Woodruff while adding exciting newcomers, his squad can certainly compete at the top next season.
It’s an exciting time to be a growing side in women’s football, and with expansion starting at the top, if Leeds can start their journey upwards now, it could have excellent consequences at the other end of the tunnel.
The 49ers Enterprises will definitely keep a close eye on this.
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