Pompey Women’s application to play in the FA Women’s Championship has been unsuccessful, with Watford gaining promotion from the FA Women’s National League South.
Following curtailment of the 2020/21 season, the FA opened an upward movement application process, allowing clubs to apply for promotion based on off-pitch structure and points-per-game from the past two seasons.
The Blues have gone from strength to strength, season on season, both on and off the pitch, introducing a development team and securing a permanent home at Westleigh Park.
However, Pompey were beaten to a place in the second tier by Watford, who finished top of the table at the time of both curtailments over the past two seasons.
This means the Blues will compete in the National League for the 2021/22 season, where head coach Jay Sadler is positive that they will be able to get a full campaign under their belts.
He said: “We’re obviously disappointed, but I think to be in the position of having a strong application shows our ambition as a club.
“We’ve been making some fantastic moves over the last few years, including the introduction of our development team and securing a permanent home at Havant and Waterlooville.
“The majority of the decision was based on on-pitch matters, and we’re frustrated that we weren’t able to get more games played, especially at our amazing home ground, Westleigh Park.
“Everyone at the club is now looking to use this decision as motivation to kick on in the next season, which will hopefully be uninterrupted as these uncertain times begin to end.”