The WSL2 campaign begins on Friday when Sunderland take on Sheffield United
Jordan Nobbs of Newcastle United Women
Jordan Nobbs (Image: Greig Cowie/Shutterstock)
Following a fantastic summer of football, the women's football season finally kicks off this weekend with the North East big three - Newcastle United, Sunderland and Durham - all in action away from home.
After a tight contest last season, with only London City Lionesses gaining promotion to the WSL, there have been a few changes ahead of this campaign.
The Women's Championship has been re-rebranded back to WSL2, the original name when the tier was founded in 2014.
With Nottingham Forest and Ipswich's promotion from the WPL Premier League North and South respectively, we're back to a 12-team league.
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With Blackburn's demotion to the lower leagues, Sheffield United have stayed in tier two, even though they finished bottom last season.
To the delight of everyone, this year sees two guaranteed promotion spots up for grabs with a third play-off place match against the second bottom WSL team also introduced.
WSL2 teams will als compete in the League Cup, with teams from the WSL, and the FA Cup involving the traditional format.
Newcastle United, Sunderland and Durham will, of course, be looking to improve on last season's showing, when all were in with a chance of that promotion until the last couple of games.
Sunderland kick-off the season on Friday night at Sheffield United under the Bramall Lane lights. Fresh from representing Wales at the Euros, newly-signed skipper Rhiannon Roberts will be looking for a stronger start than last season.
Eleanor Dale was in great goalscoring form when she unfortunately picked up an injury last season which coincided with a dip in results, but she is back fit and looking to make up for lost time.
Newcastle United pulled off the worst kept secret, and possibly the biggest signing of the summer by bringing in Jordan Nobbs. The Lioness brings a great wealth of experience, as she is the WSL appearance record holder.
She will want to return to the top league as soon as possible, and Newcastle have made no secret that that is their aim.
They start their campaign away at Nottingham Forest, who now have Aimee Claypole in their ranks after her successful loan spell at Durham last season, which saw her score a brace against Newcastle in March.
Durham travel to Portsmouth on Sunday, looking to continue their fantastic record against the south coast side.
Now with Amber Stobbs and Venezuelan international striker Mariana Speckmaier joining record goalscorer Beth Hepple (99 and counting) it should be a good season for The Blues.