Women's Super League to be expanded from 2015

Liverpool did what they needed to do as Chelsea and Birmingham stumbled

Two teams will be promoted to the Women's Super League from next season as part of a two-year plan to expand the top flight from eight teams to 10.

The addition of a second promotion place, with only one team relegated to the second division, means nine teams will contest the top flight in 2016.

Ten teams will still contest WSL 2, with a team promoted from the Women's Premier League for the next two years.

WSL 2 champions Sunderland will compete in the top division next season.

This season, Liverpool retained the Super League title on goal difference on a dramatic final day of the season, where Chelsea and Birmingham had also been in contention.

"This year has arguably been the most competitive FA WSL season to date and promotion and relegation has certainly played a big part in that," said FA director of the national game and women's football Kelly Simmons.

"Increasing the number of promotion spots not only opens up more opportunity for clubs but will also help to drive the standard of FA WSL 2 which can only benefit the women's game."

The 2015 WSL season begins in March with fixtures expected to be announced in the New Year.