Crystal Palace are preparing for another attempt at life in the Women's Super League, having secured their return to the top division after finishing second in WSL2 last season. The Eagles hope that the hard lessons from their difficult 2024-25 campaign, which ended in relegation after just one home win all season, will stand them in good stead this time around.
The club's promotion was earned in dramatic fashion under manager Jo Potter. After a sluggish start left them near the foot of the table, Palace produced a remarkable turnaround, winning 12 of their final 14 league games to edge out Charlton Athletic for the second automatic promotion place on the last day of the season.
Potter, 41, has been busy strengthening the squad ahead of the new campaign. The headline arrival is striker Bethany England, who joins with a WSL scoring record of 87 goals from spells at Doncaster Belles, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham. She won nine major honours during seven years at Chelsea and later played a key role in helping Spurs avoid relegation in 2023.
Speaking about her move to south London, England said the club's ambition was a major factor in her decision. "Palace are an ambitious club. They've been in the WSL before, they've had two amazing promotions now, and I think you can see their investment in the women's game. They're really pushing to want to be among the best, and they've got amazing facilities... It's a place where I hope that I can make a lot of good memories, score a lot of goals, and make some good history for the football club," she said.
Other notable additions include French international goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, who joins on loan, and defender Molly Bartrip, who adds experience at the back. Young attacking talents Shannon O'Brien and Lexi Lloyd-Smith have also been brought in, while Teyah Goldie and Fuka Tsunoda arrive on loan deals aimed at developing their careers.
Lloyd-Smith, 23, could prove one of the signings of the summer after finishing as WSL2's top scorer and Bristol City's young player of the year last season. Signing a three-year contract, the versatile forward will be given her first taste of top-flight football and is capable of playing across the front line.
Palace have also retained much of the core group that helped them bounce back to the WSL, including Abbie Larkin, Ashleigh Weerden, Shae Yanez and Molly-Mae Sharpe, all of whom endured the club's rollercoaster recent seasons. However, the pre-season buildup was hit by the news that defender My Cato suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The Eagles face a demanding opening to the season, with fixtures against Everton, Arsenal and Tottenham set to provide an early gauge of their progress against established WSL opposition.
Off the pitch, Palace's women's team remains fully integrated into the wider football club structure, a point of difference from some WSL rivals who operate as separate entities. Investors Woody Johnson, David Blitzer, Josh Harris and Steve Parish continue to back the women's side, even amid reports in June that the trio are looking to sell their combined 79% stake in the club, a situation that remains unresolved.
Palace will continue to play their home fixtures at Sutton United's VBS Community Stadium, a venue they have used since 2023-24, with efforts made to keep matchdays affordable and fan-friendly. Selected fixtures will also be staged at Selhurst Park, starting with the visit of Tottenham on 20 September.
With a blend of experienced survivors and shrewd new recruits, Palace will be hoping their second crack at WSL survival proves more successful than their first.
Based on reporting from Guardian Football.