WOMEN'S football in the North-East received a major boost when it was announced yesterday that both Sunderland and Durham have been accepted into the FA Women's Super League 2.
The WSL has been expanded into two tiers of eight and 10 teams from 2014, an increase from the previous single division of eight.
The Football Association released a statement naming the 18 clubs that have been granted WSL licences for the new season, which starts next March.
Among them are Sunderland and Durham, who will be part of the newly-formed second division.
Interestingly, though, Sunderland - who lead the Women's Premier League this season - were overlooked for a place in the top division, while Manchester City, four places and 12 points behind them, have been accepted into WSL 1.
It is second time lucky for the Lady Black Cats, whose application for the inaugural WSL in 2011 was rejected.
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