The Big SWPL 2 Preview
Another incredible season of SWPL action is just days away. We have gone through all of the clubs involved ahead of the season, including quotes from the players in attendance at Scottish Power HQ.
Here we go again… the 2025/26 season kicks off this weekend. A new league structure in effect, three teams scorned by relegation, top flight ambitions to be achieved. It’s all shaping up to be another action packed season of SWPL action.
We were at Scottish Power HQ to get the inside scoop from all of the clubs ahead of kick off.
Spartans
Last Season: 10th (SWPL 1)
Heartbreak last season, after remaining clear of relegation for the majority of the season a final day loss confirmed their fate. With three relegated from the top flight to accommodate a change in structure, it was always going to be particularly brutal for the third team to go down.
Jack Beesley’s side put up 19 points post-Split, more than every side in the bottom six other than Aberdeen and Montrose. While it wasn’t an amount that saw them to safety, it should provide optimism ahead of their SWPL 2 campaign.
This Season
Promotion is the bare minimum for a side that had been competing in the top division since 2004. The club will be hoping to do so automatically with a title win, however, with the other two relegated sides and unsuccessful promotion chasers from last season it isn’t a straightforward task.
Spartans’ long time centre back, and captain, Robyn McCafferty has been one of the mainstays for the club since breaking into the starting eleven. The 22-year-old centre back is likely to continue to be a crucial cog in Jack Beesley’s team, although now she will need to adapt to defending in games that Spartans should be more dominant in as they drop down a division.
What Robyn McCafferty Said…
…on excitement for the fans:
It's a totally different test for us this season, obviously now being in SWPL 2. I think we've kept a really good core group of players and then brought in some really young, exciting, talents who have hit the ground running in pre-season, scoring lots of goals. So yeah, I think it will be an exciting league. I think it will be a really close league, it will be tight at both ends. [The fans] are guaranteed some really close, meaningful, games and hopefully see some really good, exciting football from our new signings.
…on putting last season’s wrongs right:
We've kept quite a good core group of players that have obviously been at the club for many years, making so many appearances. So, when it comes to last season we obviously were hurting a lot. But, I think keeping those players that are hungry to make sure that the club goes back to where we feel it belongs is really important. Also adding in some young players that are excited to prove themselves, especially the ones on loan. They want to prove a point to their parent club as to why they should be playing [when they return].
I think it was a good move for us to keep as many players as we could all from last season, just because they've got the fire in their belly to try and get the team back up, but also getting a lot of young players in that maybe don't feel as much pressure so that they can just go and express themselves. We're ready to hit the ground running and hopefully get ourselves back up.
Queen’s Park
Last Season: 11th (SWPL 1)
Relegation was confirmed with games to spare in a season to forget for Queen’s Park. There was acknowledgment that it was always going to be a difficult season for the club promoted from SWPL 2, but perhaps they hadn’t expected the size of the task to be so great. Not a disaster to return to SWPL 2 by any means, however, with the circumstances they faced in the top flight.
This Season
As will be the goal for all the relegated sides, promotion is on the wishlist for this season. The title may be ambitious as they shake off last season’s form, but it certainly isn’t outside of their reach.
Emma Craig and Ellie Kane returning to the club gives Queen’s Park fans reason to rejoice, and opposition fans reason to fear. Kane in particular with her last spell in SWPL 2 literally breaking records as she became the first player in SWPL history to secure four consecutive player of the month awards during Queen’s Park’s title winning campaign. Whether she takes up position behind the striker, or as the focal point of the attack herself, is TBC. But, either way if she gets close to her 2023/24 form she will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
What Rachael O’Neil Said…
…on moving to Kirkintilloch and pre-season:
I think being nearer to Glasgow is massive for us, and the facilities at Kirkintilloch are great. We played there yesterday and it's a great pitch, great facilities. So yeah, there’s definitely a wee buzz about it. Pre-season's gone as well as it can I think. We've had a variety of opposition. Played a team from down south [a 4-2 win over Birmingham City U21s] as well. Coaches seem happy, and the girls are buzzing to go.
…on what makes this SWPL season special:
I think this season it's really exciting. With the new format it will be even more competitive than last season. The commitment from the girls and all the teams that are involved just makes it such a great league. The football that's played, the support we have, yeah, it's just really exciting to watch.
Dundee United
Last Season: 12th (SWPL 1)
2024/25 was a season to forget for United, they were favourites for the drop last summer and (unfortunately) lived up to those expectations. With a very young side, bolstered by loanees, Suzy Shepherd was unable to stop the inevitable.
This Season
Recruitment this summer will have provided fans with a lot of optimism ahead of what they will hope is a promotion campaign. Danni Findlay returns, Annalisa McCann and Nicola Jamieson join from Aberdeen, Rachel Todd and Rebecca Foote add experience, and more…
But, it is Katie Frew we want to highlight as a key player for the club this season. The former Spartans defender has seen the highs and lows at Dundee United and will be a crucial leader on and off the pitch for the club as they look to bounce back from last season’s tribulations.
What Annalisa McCann Said…
…on Dundee United’s new signings:
I think we've brought in a lot of experienced players. We've got a good mixture of talent and experience in our squad. A lot of the new players have previously played for Dundee United so the season is looking good. Lots of experience and lots of exciting football to be played.
…on SWPL’s competitiveness:
Playing in such a high level environment [at Aberdeen last season], anyone can win any game pretty much. It’s really competitive, and this season as well, due to both leagues going to 10 [teams] again, I think anyone can win SWPL 2. It's just really exciting football to be watched.
Kilmarnock
Last Season: 2nd
Kilmarnock were the losers out of last season’s restructure as the lack of playoff stole away their chance of promotion. They pushed Hamilton to the end, putting up impressive form to hunt them down and keep the race interesting.
This Season
Jim Chapman’s side now face another season hunting promotion with challenges brought in outside of their control as three top division sides drop down at once. With the second to fourth all heading for promotion playoff action, Killie will be eyeing those spots and a successful playoff campaign.
Key to meeting those aims will be tricky midfielder Abby Robinson. The Killie #10 has been one of the standouts of SWPL 2 in recent years as she drops a shoulder making defenders look silly. Her ability to drive forward and create chances for her teammates crucial if they are to succeed in pushing for promotion.
What Laura McLaughlin Said…
…on why Kilmarnock fans should be excited:
[Kilmarnock fans] should be excited because last year we finished second, and we’ve been second a couple of years now, so we're looking to push on and hopefully try and do one better. We've got a lot of young, talented, players which are exciting to watch mixed with a good bit of experience and I think this year the style of football we'll be playing will be good to watch.
…on getting back involved in pre-season after maternity:
Excited to be back playing from the start! It's so hard returning halfway through the season and trying to get back into the team so I'm excited to be back playing and hopefully can play the full season this year.
I actually really enjoyed pre-season because I wanted to get back fit and sharp, so I think I would be the only person in the team that actually said they enjoyed it!
Boroughmuir Thistle
Last Season: 3rd
Boroughmuir Thistle have been vocal about their ambition to return to the top flight, utilising their impressive academy structure to do so. Last season didn’t quite go to plan, although once the title was gone there was very little to play for which may have impacted their final points total.
This Season
They were well in the title race for much of the season, and will take up their status as dark horses for promotion this campaign. The playoffs the target, at the very least they will want to feature heavily in the race for those spots and finish in the top six.
Beth Rennie joins the club this season, and is likely to be key in any promotion push that they put up. The Scotland youth international joins from Hearts permanently, having spent last season on-loan at Dundee United, and will need to be a safe pair of hands if they are to achieve their goals. She spent time on loan at the club previously so will know her way around Meadowbank, hopefully, leading to a seamless transition for Thistle.
What Beth Rennie Said…
…on why Boroughmuir Thistle are ones to watch:
We've got such a good group in. We've got a lot of young talent, a lot of young girls coming in, and that know the league that have been there. They know how competitive it's going to be and there's not going to be any match that is a given. It's just going to be so competitive.
…on what makes SWPL unique:
It's just how close it's been. Like you've seen in SWPL 1, it goes down to the last day and SWPL 2 is just as competitive. There could be someone in first at Christmas and it could completely change in the last few weeks, so it's just always changing and so exciting.
Gartcairn
Last Season: 4th
It wasn’t a bad season for Gartcairn, it just wasn’t really a good one either. The club have high ambitions and had stated that they were aiming for title glory, but were never really a consideration in the race. A midtable finish, well clear of relegation, by no means failure for Graeme Hart’s side even if internally there will be some disappointment.
This Season
They have become famous for being one of the most chaotic teams in Scotland in recent years, and will be hoping that they can use that to their advantage and put in a playoff push this season. Realistically, a top half finish in the newly minted SWPL 2 split would represent a good result for the season ahead as they continue to develop as a relatively new club.
A consistently safe presence between the posts is key for any club, but with the chaos of SWPL 2 it is perhaps even more important to have a keeper that will calm things down and keep the ball out. Gartcairn’s Lucy Inman could be that presence for Gartcairn. Despite being just 18-years-old she has experienced SWPL 2 before with both Queen’s Park and Gartcairn, as well as stepping up to SWPL 1 with Queen’s Park last season.
What Abby McDonald Said…
…on Gartcairn’s new look squad:
I think [fans] should be excited as we've added quite a lot of young talent to the team, and we've retained quite a lot of experienced players from last season, so that's only going to make us better moving forward. The younger players are coming in and giving us a new lease of life as well.
Pre-season's been really good. As I said, there's been quite a lot of new players coming through the door and that brings its challenges but we've had quite a lot of games to embed these new players and work on our style of play for the season ahead.
…on the growth of the SWPL:
I think it's really exciting. It's only going to grow further, as we've seen from the stats [in Fiona McIntyre’s presentation at the media event], with more people viewing and all the drama from last season. I think SWPL 2 is only going to get stronger as well with the three teams coming down, it's going to be the most competitive the league has ever been so it's looking like an exciting season.
Livingston
Last Season: 5th
As with Gartcairn, last season was fine. Not spectacular, never really at risk for going down nor involved in the title race. But, there’s nothing wrong with putting in a steady performance in SWPL 2 - especially with the league’s renowned chaotic nature.
This Season
Finishing in the top six will be the aim, like Gartcairn a promotion push not outside the realms of possibility but they will likely be an outside shot with staying clear of relegation a more urgent priority.
Livingston have made a number of exciting signings this summer with the likes of Dionne Brown, Eve Donald, Megan Whiteford, Vivienne Strain, and her twin Justine Strain joining the club. With so many new faces it is hard to predict who will adapt best to new surroundings, but we have committed to the format now so let’s talk about Justine Strain.
The Scotland youth international joins after winning SWPL 2 with Hamilton Accies, and picking up their young player of the year award in the process. Capable of playing up front or out wide, she has already started to show Livingston fans what she’s about having found the net on nine occasions in four pre-season outings. Including a five(!) goal debut performance.
What Rachel Walkingshaw Said…
…on Livingston’s aims for the season:
Obviously, we want to follow on from the men's success last year. We're rebuilding our squad this year with the new coaching staff. I think it's just a really exciting place for us to be. We've got a lot of young talent as well as some of our experienced players still there this season. So for us it's about building a strong squad that will compete consistently, and the way we’re going to play this season, playing actual football. [We’ve got] a lot of players that want to get their foot on the ball and make good things happen. So, I think it's an exciting time to come and watch us.
…on Craig Joyce coming in as manager:
It's been brilliant! I think it's something we've lacked for quite a while at Livingston. We've obviously had a fair few coaches over the seasons, but I think Craig [Joyce] brings in that experience [of winning SWPL 2]. But as well as that, he also brings in a standard that he sets in the moment that he came in. So, we've had quite a long pre-season where we've built over the last eight to nine weeks, roughly. It's been quite long, but I think he provides us with the stability that we need, but also the experience and the composure that we need from the coaching staff.
It has been a lot of running, I don't like running! But, it's something that he's brought into us and instilled, and he's brought that strong mentality that I think is something that we've really lacked over the last couple of seasons. So, I'm really excited to see where his level of experience takes us.
St Johnstone
Last Season: 6th
They were involved in far too many conversations containing the word “relegation” for their liking, but did end up comfortably safe. In the end it was a season that makes staying under our word count much easier as there was relatively little drama (by SWPL 2 standards).
This Season
This season the club will be pushing to stay safe, without the need for playoff drama preferably. Closing the gap on the promotion fight, without necessarily expecting to get involved themselves, the aim as they look to start building towards higher expectations.
New signing Emily Shanks will provide a crucial threat up front as they look to replace last season’s top scorer Olivia Hurrell. She’s been amongst the goals already in pre-season after impressive performances in SWPL 2 with Rossvale last time out.
What Hannah Clark Said…
…on why St Johnstone fans should be excited for the season ahead:
I think we've got a good team, a team full of ability, and full of exciting players. There's been changes made to where we're playing. We're going to be playing at McDiarmid on the new astroturf pitch next to the stadium. Hopefully we’ll be an exciting team to watch. A good driven team, a team full of energy and hopefully a team full of winners.
…on excitement for the new format:
Really excited, we're really looking forward to it. It's such a competitive league, any team can take points off any other team around them. There's not a team that you'd look at and go, 'right we're never getting points off of them.' It's a real competitive bunch and I think the split now makes it that bit more competitive because you're aiming to get in that top six. We're really looking forward to it again and can't wait to get started.
East Fife
Last Season: 1st (SWF Championship)
They dominated the Championship last season, earning promotion without any drama. Last season their manager, Liz Anderson, stepped out of retirement to play for the team in goal which is already one of the most SWPL 2 things that’s ever happened. Even more so because Anderson was a central defender in her playing career.
This Season
Liz Anderson will be hoping to avenge the last stint East Fife had in SWPL 2, staying up by any means necessary. At the bare minimum she will be hoping that her side can prove that they can compete at this level, setting up another quick return if they are to go down.
SWF Championship player of the year and top scorer Teri Skivington is the obvious standout in the East Fife squad as they look to improve upon their last spell in SWPL 2. The striker called last season the best of her career as she notched 33 goals en route to the title and promotion glory. East Fife will need her to continue to be lethal in front of goal if they are to survive this season.
What Harriet Anderson Said…
On East Fife’s excitement for the season:
Obviously, it’s a big step up but we've been preparing ever since we discovered that we'd be in SWPL 2. A lot of preparation has been done, a big challenge, but we're ready for it, so we’ll give it everything we've got. We are up on merit, we won the league.
Obviously, last time [in SWPL 2] wasn’t the best, a lot of performances weren't up to standard, but this season hopefully we'll have learned and are ready to put it right.
On Liz Anderson returning to the sidelines after her spell in goal:
She's certainly a big voice and big presence in the team. She still shouts from the sideline. It’s just further away!
Stirling Uni
Last Season: 2nd (SWF Championship)
Nile Robbins’ side won a dramatic five-way playoff fight in the Championship before beating Rossvale in the playoff to earn promotion with as much drama as possible. Kaitlyn Cook scoring a worldie for the students just weeks after they lifted their first piece of silverware with a National League Cup trophy, which now takes up pride of place on campus we’re sure.
This Season
Back in the second tier they will harbour long term aims of returning to the top flight, but presently the mission is just to stay up. Automatically, via the playoff, they won’t care how.
Stirling Uni will need the experience and leadership of captain, and 2025 graduate, Lucy Jackman this season if they are to achieve safety. The 24-year-old midfielder isn’t just going to need to help her team on the pitch, as captain it will fall to her to help keep morale up during what is going to be a difficult season fighting relegation. Last time out in SWPL 2 she was one of the league leaders for interceptions, recoveries, and key passes and Nile Robbins will be hoping she can return to that form in the season ahead.
What Lucy Jackman Said…
…on the aims for the season:
We are a young squad, obviously just been promoted. We're working hard to implement the style of play that we're wanting to hopefully play this season. I think the youth of the team will probably come in handy and will really help us compete at the start of the season, at the level that we need to. We've worked really hard throughout pre-season and we just want to show that we should be in SWPL 2.
Personally I've been there [relegation from SWPL 2]. I was in SWPL 2 my first three years at university and I'd like to prove that we are good enough and we can compete at this level. With the facilities that we have we should be able to compete. I think hopefully we'll shock some people with what we can do.
…on why SWPL is the best league in the world:
I think it's exciting for fans because of the growth of the league. The standard is continuously getting better and all the teams are there to prove their point of being in the league. Whether that’s pushing for promotion, middle of the table, or just staying up.