Over forty teams play in the South Yorkshire and East Midlands leagues from teams across our region. But who are they, where do they play, and who will they come up against next season?
Tier 2
The highest team in South Yorkshire next season is Sheffield United Women, who are set to play in WSL2, the second tier in the pyramid, beginning their seventh season at this level following their promotion to the league in 2018.
The Blades finished bottom of the Championship in 2024/25, but were reprieved from relegation as two teams pulled out of the league citing financial difficulties – Reading before the season started, and Blackburn Rovers after the end of the season.
They will compete against eleven other teams from around England, including Crystal Palace, who were relegated from the WSL last season, and Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest who were both promoted from the tier 3 Women’s National League.
There are once again no South Yorkshire sides at the highest level of English football, for the eighth consecutive season, since Doncaster Rovers Belles were relegated at the end of the 2016 season.
Tier 4
There are no South Yorkshire sides at the third level of the English pyramid this season either, with the next appearance of South Yorkshire coming across tier 4 – where there are three South Yorkshire sides following Barnsley FC Women’s withdrawal on Wednesday.
In the National League Division 1 North, Doncaster Rovers Belles remain for another season, after being handed a reprieve against relegation to tier 5 following Barnsley FC’s withdrawal. Despite finishing four points adrift of York City in the safety position, Amanda Greenslade’s side will begin a third consecutive season in the Division 1 North.
In the Division 1 Midlands, Sheffield FC and Barnsley Women’s FC will face off against each other this season, following Sheffield making an immediate return to tier 4 after promotion from the East Midlands Regional Women’s Premier last season, after a close-fought promotion battle with Chesterfield Ladies.
Barnsley Women’s FC will take part in the Midlands division for the second consecutive season following their lateral movement in 2024, and will be the most northerly team in this league, with relatively long trips awaiting both Sheffield and Barnsley next season, including matches against Worcester City and Peterborough United.
Tier 5
Similarly, there are three South Yorkshire clubs taking part in leagues at Tier 5 this season, split between the North East Regional, and the East Midlands Regional leagues.
Brunsmeer Athletic are South Yorkshire’s sole representative in the North East Regional Premier Division, following back-to-back promotions in the last two seasons, from the Sheffield & Hallamshire Women and Girls League up to tier 5.
The club, based in Dore near Sheffield, are set to face off against fellow promoted sides Thornaby and Ossett in a league dominated by teams from Tyne & Wear, and Northumberland.
Rotherham United and SJR Worksop have once again been placed in the East Midlands Regional Premier Division, where they will compete against four new sides entering the division in a ten team league.
Tier 6
There are six South Yorkshire teams in the sixth tier for the 2025/26 season, mostly competing in the North East Regional League.
Dronfield Town are the South Yorkshire area’s sole representative this season in the East Midlands Regional Division 1 North, where they will also face off against four new teams.
in the North East Regional Women’s Football League Division 1 South, five South Yorkshire teams are set to take part in the twelve team league, with Handsworth, Kiveton Park and Sheffield Wednesday continuing the league following Sheffield United Community Foundation’s relegation into the local leagues, and Oughtibridge War Memorial folding during the season.
They are joined by Millmoor Juniors and Rossington Main following their promotion from the Sheffield & Hallamshire Women and Girls League last season.
Tier 7 and below
Tier 7 marks the beginning of the local leagues, which in Sheffield is the Sheffield & Hallamshire Women and Girls League – league allocations at this tier and below will be released in due course.
