SAINTS' bid to join next season's Women's Championship has not been successful. 

The women's football leagues have undergone a restructuring and Saints were looking to be apart of the second tier below the Women's Super League, applying back in March to enter.

However, the The Football Association, which runs the league, has rejected this application, according to the BBC.

The decision in respect of which clubs were successful was made by The FA Women's Football Board, following a detailed review and assessment, and it remains subject to appeal.

Baroness Sue Campbell, The FA’s head of women’s football said: “Today’s announcement is the result of two years of planning and a milestone within our delivery of The Gameplan for Growth strategy.

“The revised competition structure will positively impact on the delivery of the women’s game across all levels, both on and off the pitch.

“Such is the strength of women’s football in this country, there have been some difficult decisions to make but they’ve been made with the sport’s best interests at heart.

“This is a hugely exciting time for the game and I am hopeful that we will look back upon this as one of the most significant decisions made in its history.”

Saints have youth sides up to under-21 level, but after Manchester United's bid was successful, are now the only team in the Premier League without a connected senior women's team.

The FA accepted United, placing them in the second tier of the competitions along with the likes of Doncaster Rovers Belles and Millwall Lionesses.

Next season's Women's Super League will be extended to 10 teams, with Brighton & Hove Albion Women and West Ham United Ladies replacing Sunderland Ladies in the competition.