Women’s Super League 2 team Durham under threat of closure

Durham, nicknamed The Wildcats, reached the quarter-finals of the Women’s FA Cup twice and the last eight of the League Cup twice, while the club’s under-16 and under-21 sides both reached the national final last season.

Neil Redfern coached the first team for the final six games of 2025-26 after Adam Furness had a two-year spell as boss.

For a time, Durham were the only team from the North East playing in the WSL structure, although both Newcastle and Sunderland are now in WSL 2.

However, Durham says they are struggling to keep up with rising costs.

“The club’s current majority shareholders can no longer keep pace with the development of the women’s game,” the statement added. “The club has to carry on – and they are now looking to hand it over to a team who can build on that legacy and realize the opportunities the club has going forward.”

A spokeswoman for the Women’s Super League said: “Durham WFC is a valuable club within the women’s football pyramid.

“We are sorry for this situation for everyone involved and since we have been made aware, we have been in dialogue with the club and we hope there will be a positive resolution.

“Our priority is the players and staff, and we will do all we can to support them during this uncertain time.”