Bristol City Women have been relegated from the Women’s Super League for the first time. 

The Vixens first made the English top-flight and became fully professional in 2018. Since then, they’ve seen themselves finish 6th and 10th respectively in the standings. 

Bristol City narrowly avoided relegation last season, finishing a mere three points ahead of relegated Liverpool, with the season shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This season the club held higher aspirations but have won just two league games in total. They’ve struggled to attack offensively, scoring just 18 goals in 22 games. Six draws and a mix of heavy losses, including a 9-0 loss to Chelsea, have made it hard for interim manager Matt Beard to get his team going. 

It all came to a head on the final day of the 2020-21 campaign, as Bristol City lost 3-1 to Brighton. After going down 2-0, an Abi Harrison goal in the second half brought them back within one, but it wasn’t enough. 

Moving up to replace them? Leicester City, who will be playing in the FAWSL for the first time next season after winning the second-tier Championship.