Ladies will see records stand despite title and promotion blow

Individual and team records from Sunderland Ladies’ outstanding campaign will not be removed from the history books, the FA have announced.

That is despite the decision made earlier this year to declare tiers three to seven null and void. Sunderland were 11 points clear at the top of the National League North when fixtures were postponed, and they still had a game in hand on secondplaced Derby County.

Melanie Reay’s side were also due to play in the final of the National League cup against Stoke City.

The FA had previously announced that no titles would be awarded, and that they would not open up the application process for promotion to the Championship.

That decision was particularly contentious as Aston Villa were declared second-tier champions and won promotion to the Super League with a virtually identical record.

Despite that double disappointment, Sunderland’s players have at least been offered some comfort with the announcement that their individual achievements from the campaign will stand.

A number of players made their first steps in the senior game during what was a dominant campaign, while club captain Keira Ramshaw also made her 200th appearance.

An FA statement said: “Following thorough consideration, the FA Women’s Football Board has made a decision to allow all match statistics from the 20192020 season to remain in place, despite having to bring the respective campaigns to an early close.

“This covers player statistics, such as goals and appearances, alongside team records and allows the achievements of players and teams throughout the 2019-20 season, prior to the impact of COVID-19, to be recognised.”

The FA added that ‘preparations are now well underway for the 2020-2021 season, with more information in due course on key dates and fixtures’.

The announcement also confirmed that the National League North will run with the same twelve teams next season, whenever it does begin. Speaking earlier this month, the FA’s director of the women’s professional game said that they will look to promote two sides to the Championship at the end of next season.