Southampton apply to enter team in 2018-19 Women's Super League 2
Friday 23 March 2018 16:08, UK
Southampton have applied to enter their first team into the Women's Super League 2 next season, Sky Sports News understands.
The Saints follow Manchester United, who submitted a bid earlier this week.
The pair are currently the only two Premier League clubs without an affiliated senior women's team.
The FA say there are up to five spaces available in next season's restructured second tier.
The Women's Super League 2 is currently made up of 10 teams; Doncaster Belles, Millwall Lionesses, Durham, Brighton & Hove Albion, Tottenham, Oxford United, Sheffield, London Bees, Aston Villa and Watford.
United scrapped their women's team in 2005 but former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis believes they have the potential to be very successful, given the wealth of resources at the club's disposal.
Professional women's football has dramatically improved in quality and popularity in the last decade.
United's rivals Manchester City have emerged as one of the dominant teams in England in just three seasons, winning a league and cup double in 2016 and last season's FA Women's Cup.
