The move signals a new era for Palace Women, who for the second successive season finished fifth in the Championship, which is one level below the Women’s Super League, and recently appointed Grace Williams as the club’s new Head of Women’s Football to lead a restructuring programme, with Laura Kaminski joining as Head Coach.

The fixtures for the FA Women’s Championship, which kicks off on August 26th , are released later today and Palace Women’s first home match will be a 2pm kick-off on Sunday August 27th . Ticketing and fan zone information will be announced shortly.

Palace Women will be leaving Hayes Lane, home of National League club Bromley, where they have played their home matches since 2014. Selhurst Park (above) has also hosted Palace Women, attracting a record-breaking attendance for the league match against Southampton last September, and two matches will be played there in the coming season with the remainder at the VBS as Palace look to capitalise on a strong fanbase in the Sutton area.

Sutton United vice-chairman Adrian Barry said: “We are delighted to welcome Crystal Palace Women and look forward to furthering the extremely strong relationship the clubs have always enjoyed. Our discussions with them over the summer have been extremely positive and collaborative, leading to what we’re sure will be a mutually beneficial partnership. We will be hosting some of the best women’s football in the area with Crystal Palace Women’s First Team and our own Women’s First Team playing at the VBS Community Stadium next season, at a time when interest in the women’s game is growing fast.” 

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish said: “This is an exciting new start for Palace Women, playing at a historic, local stadium that will be familiar to many of our supporters, and we hope to attract fresh support for the Club. We are hugely grateful for Bromley FC’s long-standing support for Palace Women and we would like to thank them for their hospitality over many years, the move is in large part driven by the WSL requirement for a grass pitch”.

Above photo: Seb Frej/CPFC