Newcastle United women's side have made history by becoming the first professional team to compete in the third tier following their promotion last season. 

The Magpies earned promotion to the FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division after winning the Division One North title on a semi-professional basis under head coach Becky Langley.

Langley's first-team squad members will now have the opportunity to dedicate themselves to football full-time, with the Kingston Park outfit holding aspirations of reaching the Women's Super League in the future. 

Darren Eales, Newcastle United's CEO, said: "This is a historic moment for our Newcastle United family and for the women's game regionally, nationally, and beyond.

"Newcastle United Women is a hugely important part of our vision for the club, and this is the right step at the right time as we strive for sustainable success.

Langley's squad also played occasionally at St James' Park during the 2022/23 campaign, beating Bradford City 6-1 in front of 24,092 fans back in April.

As well as receiving competitive salaries, the players will train throughout the week and have access to professional equipment, treatment and injury-prevention facilities.

The head coach said: "This is a monumental moment for Newcastle United Women and the FA Women's National League.

"We hope to be a leading light in the movement towards professionalism in the women's game and inspire women and girls who dream of pursuing a career in football.

"We have worked incredibly hard to get here and I'm so excited to work with the players as we help them to be the best athletes they can be."

Women's football in the UK has grown exponentially since the Lionesses' Euros win last summer, with the media coverage also significantly increasing, and Newcastle United will hope to soon stake their claim at Super League level.