West Ham United keen to form part of 14-team Women's Super League as club confirm plans to apply for top-tier licence ahead of 2018-19 season

• e-mail

West Ham United will bid to be part of the Football Association's new plans for the top tier of women's football to consist of 14 full-time clubs.

English football's governing body this week announced that from 2018-19 there will be 14 teams in the Women's Super League with professional players.

West Ham, who currently play in the third tier, have confirmed that they will be applying for a licence to make the move into the top division.

West Ham's women's team, pictured in their squad photo, will try for a Super League spot

The criteria for doing so includes full-time players who will work at least 16 contract hours per week, a minimum level of finances invested and an academy system to be put in place.

Ladies' managing director Jack Sullivan said: 'We want West Ham United to be at the very top of this new-look structure.

'It is very clear that the ambitions and intentions of the FA align with West Ham United's commitment to developing our Ladies teams both on and off the pitch.

'We believe this opportunity gives us the perfect platform to provide West Ham United supporters with a full-time women's team to follow.

'Equality is at the heart of our movement and the momentum that we have created over the last 12 months by involving the Ladies team in all aspects of the club helps illustrate West Ham's inclusive approach to not only women's football, but all aspects of equality across our community.

'Now West Ham United Ladies are fully integrated into the club, the facilities and infrastructure that we are currently able to offer the squad - with the help and support of all departments at West Ham - is certainly befitting of a professional team and we intend to make that a reality.'

Manchester City's women's team are also likely to form part of the 16-team Super League