After the English Football Association reversed its 1921 ban on women's games at its grounds, the WFA Cup began in 1970–71, a national competition initially including many clubs outside of England.

became the champions by beating Kilmarnock's Stewarton Thistle, who won the first Scottish Women's Cup in the same year.

Southampton were the leading English team of the era, WFA Cup-winners eight times between 1971 and 1981, and runners-up twice.

At this time, the WFA received a grant from the Sports Council to create the Women's National League.

Since 1991, eight separate clubs have won an English women's national league championship.