It’s been eight weeks since Glasgow City were crowned SWPL1 champions in the sun of Cumbernauld. For the 14th time in a row, the Broadwood-based club lifted their well-held title in front of a heartbroken Rangers, who finished third. Celtic kept their grip on second place, earning themselves a Champions League place – a first for the East End side.
Fran Alonso was full of praise for his Hoops after an impressive Old Firm whitewash, winning three out of three games against their rivals Rangers. Despite being a full-time team with undoubtedly the best facilities in Scotland, The Gers fell short of a top two sitting in the table.
Now as they look to make things right this season, they’ve expressed their ambition in the signing of Jane Ross. The Scotland international has represented both sides of Manchester and West Ham most recently. Growing up a Rangers fan, she hopes to bring plenty of goals and success to her childhood club.
Double promotion
Adding to the already exciting season ahead, Aberdeen and Hamilton Academical achieved promotion to the SWPL1 from the SWPL2. A dominant streak from The Dons saw them lift the trophy and secure their seat in the topflight – they would become the ninth team to enlist in the league.
The fight for second place went right to the wire on the final day of the season. Accies managed to shrug off the threat of Partick Thistle and Dundee Utd with a 3-0 win against Kilmarnock.
With no relegations in place until the 2021/22 season, the SWPL1 will now be a 10-club league.
All to play for
The added pressure of relegation, as well as the possibility of a UWCL spot, will be sure to make this season’s SWPL the most exciting yet. For the first time, two clubs will have a crack at European football, rather than just the titleholders. Glasgow City and Celtic will be the Scottish representation in this year’s competition. City will be hoping to go on better than the 2019 season by making it to the semi-final.
In addition to league football, the domestic cup competition will mark its return. The groups have been drawn ahead of the first-round set to take place in under two weeks.
- Group A: Aberdeen, Motherwell, Boroughmuir Thistle, Rangers.
- Group B: Dundee Utd, Forfar Farmington, Hibernian, Stirling Uni.
- Group C: Glasgow City, Glasgow Women, Spartans, Hamilton.
- Group D: Celtic, Hearts, Partick Thistle, St Johnstone.
