WSL Hall of Fame

Women's Super League Hall of Fame

Fara Williams and Rachel Yankey, the first players to be inducted
Established	2021
Type	Professional sports hall of fame
President	Kelly Simmons
Website	Official website

The Women's Super League Hall of Fame(WSL Hall of Fame) honours the leading association football players and coaches that have played or managed in the Women's Super League (previously known as the FA WSL; FA Women's Super League), the top level of the English football league system. Inaugurated in 2021, the Hall of Fame, was launched to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the league following its inception in April 2011. ^{[1] [2] [3]} It is intended to recognise and honour players and individuals that who have contributed to the growth of the women's game in England and the WSL since its founding.

In September 2021, as part of the inaugural class of 2021, three players were inducted; Fara Williams, Rachel Yankey, Kelly Smith and one manager, Emma Hayes. The next year, a further three players were inducted.

Eligibility requirements

Those eligible for induction into the FA WSL Hall of Fame, include retired players, both active and retired coaches and active or retired match officials. The one thing they must all have "in common, is the positive impact and legacy" they have left on the league since the inception of the FA WSL in 2011. ^[1] Their selection is only judged on their domestic performances in the FA WSL with no other competitions considered.

To assist the selection panel in selecting their inductee nominations, the following standards have been established: ^[4]

• Players - Players must have participated in the Women's Super League (WSL) for at least three years and have made a major contribution to the league, whether as a champion, a team leader, or an exceptional individual player (or via her individual performances / individual accolades).
• Coaches - Coaches must have won a league championship or coached in the league for at least three years. The individual must have had a huge impact on the league, whether it was through winning the competition or nurturing new talent (youth development).
• Officials - Officials must have contributed significantly to the league during their tenure as officials and to have upheld a high standard of refereeing to support the Women's Super League's standards, integrity, and professionalism.

Inductees

Karen Carney, inducted in 2022

Eniola Aluko, inducted in 2022

Rebecca Welch became the first official to be inducted.

Year	Player	Pos.	Years	Clubs	Achievements	Ref.
2021	Fara Williams	MF	2011–2021	Everton Liverpool Arsenal	2× Champion	[5] [6]
	Rachel Yankey	FW	2011–2017	Arsenal Notts County Ladies	2× Champion	[5]
	Kelly Smith	MF	2012–2017	Arsenal		[7]
	Emma Hayes	Manager	2012–2024	Chelsea	7× Champion 6× Manager of the Season	[8]
2022	Karen Carney	MF	2011–2019	Birmingham City Chelsea	1× Golden Boot	[9]
	Katie Chapman	MF	2011–2018	Arsenal Chelsea	4× Champion	[9]
	Eniola Aluko	FW	2012–2018	Birmingham City Chelsea	3× Champion 1× Golden Boot	[9]
2023	Jill Scott	MF	2011–2022	Everton Manchester City Aston Villa	1× Champion	[10]
	Ellen White	FW	2011–2022	Arsenal Notts County Ladies Birmingham City Manchester City	2× Champion 1× Golden Boot	[10]
	Anita Asante	DF	2018–2022	Chelsea Aston Villa		[10]
2024	Alex Scott	DF	2012–2018	Arsenal	1× Champion	[11]
	Steph Houghton	DF	2011–2024	Arsenal Manchester City	3× Champion	[11]
	Gilly Flaherty	DF	2011–2023	Arsenal Chelsea West Ham United Liverpool	4× Champion	[11]
	Rebecca Welch	Referee	2011–2024	–	–	[11]

Players by nationality

As of December 2024 award

Nationality	Players
England	12

References

General

• "Hall of Fame Inductees". Women's Super League . Retrieved 25 January 2025.

Specific

1. "About the Hall of Fame". FA WSL Hall of Fame. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
2. "Rachel Yankey inducted into WSL Hall of Fame to mark 10-year anniversary of the league". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
3. "WSL: Football Association to launch Hall of Fame to mark 10-year anniversary". Sky Sports. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
4. "Hall Of Fame FAQs". WSL Hall of Fame. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
5. Whitehead, Jacob; Percival, Holly (6 October 2021). "WSL Hall of Fame: Fara Williams and Rachel Yankey named as first inductees". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
6. "WSL: Fara Williams becomes first player inducted into Hall of Fame to mark 10-year anniversary of Women's Super League". Sky Sports. 3 November 2021. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
7. Whitehead, Jacob; Percival, Holly (7 October 2021). "Emma Hayes and Kelly Smith inducted into WSL Hall of Fame". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
8. "WSL: Chelsea head coach Emma Hayes becomes fourth inductee into Hall of Fame". Sky Sports. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
9. "Karen Carney, Eni Aluko, Katie Chapman are latest Women's Super League Hall of Fame inductees". Sky Sports. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
10. "WSL Hall of Fame: Jill Scott, Ellen White and Anita Asante named as 2023 inductees". BBC Sport. 13 November 2023. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
11. "Women's Super League Hall of Fame: Steph Houghton, Alex Scott, Gilly Flaherty and Rebecca Welch inducted". BBC Sport. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2025.