of Liverpool celebrate after winning the FA Women's
Super LeagueA new era dawned in women's football yesterday as
Liverpool, with a 2-0 victory against Bristol Academy
on the final day of the FA Women's Super League
season, became the first club in a decade to deny
Arsenal the top-flight title.
A 37th-minute Louise Fors penalty and a 15-yard
strike by the Icelandic midfielder Katrin Omarsdottir
11 minutes from time gave the Reds a deserved win
against Bristol Academy. The visitors would have
been champions themselves had they won at
Widnes' Halton Stadium.
Fors's penalty came after Nicole Rolser was fouled by
Alex Windell. Omarsdottir struck after England's
Natasha Dowie, Iain's niece, had chested down a
deep free-kick.Arsenal, 2-1 winners at Everton, had to settle for
third place after dominating the English club game
since the turn of the century – this is only the second
time since 2001 that they have not won the league
(the exception was Fulham in 2004 after they briefly
went full-time).
The Gunners have traditionally had by far the best
financial backing from their parent club, but they
have been overtaken in cash terms this year by
Liverpool, whose investment is close to the £1 million
mark, and Chelsea. Next season Manchester City, set
to replace Doncaster Rovers Belles in the WSL, will up
the ante still further.
Liverpool manager Matt Beard, who took over a team
that had finished bottom last season, said: "We've
not had the biggest budget in the league, but we got
our recruitment right and the players have been
superb. It's been tough, but it could be even harder
next year – Arsenal will strengthen and Manchester
City joining the league means there will be more
money coming in."
Arsenal will strengthen, confirmed general manager
Vic Akers, who formed the club in 1987 and as
manager led them to their greatest triumphs before
stepping aside in 2009. Akers, however, is not happy
with they way that Doncaster have been deposed by
Manchester City, who have been placed in the top
flight due to aspects such as marketing and
administration facilities rather than footballing
reasons. Akers said: "We will have an improved
group next year, but we can only go so far in terms of
finance. We're not in the Manchester City situation.
With respect, they landed in the top flight through
having loads of money."
As well as surrendering the title, Arsenal's failure to
qualify for the Champions League through a top two
finish means they must become European
champions this season if they are to compete in the
competition for what would be an 11th year in
succession. They are at present in the last 32 and
face a trip to Kazahkstan.
Liverpool and Bristol have guaranteed places. The
Academy, which is a joint partnership with South
Gloucestershire and Stroud College, has a budget of
£160,000.
Mark Sampson, their manager, said: "We've finished
runners in the FA Cup as well as the WSL and
reaching the Champions League, so we've achieved
way over and above expectations. The girls should be
extremely proud of their efforts."
It was the end of an era at the wrong end of the table
too as bottom team Doncaster, the only club to have
been in the top flight since its inception in 1991,
bowed out with a 3-0 defeat by Birmingham. Lincoln
won 2-0 at Chelsea to leave Blues second-bottom.
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