Forest Green Rovers women's team closure sends 'message women not

Forest Green Rovers' decision to close their women's team sends a message that female football is "not valued," according to the team's former captain Hattie Jones. The Gloucestershire club finished second in the South West Regional Women's Premier Division last season, missing out on promotion to the fourth tier by just one point. Despite this near-success, the team will not return next season as the club's ownership looks to "concentrate resources" on getting the men's side back into the English Football League after relegation to the National League in 2024.

Former captain speaks out

Jones, who joined Forest Green in 2021 and was the team's top scorer in her first campaign, was made club captain in 2023. She had already decided that the 2025-26 season would be her last with the club before the closure was announced. Speaking to BBC Radio Gloucestershire, Jones expressed her dismay.

"It sends [the message] is women's and girls' football valued? We were getting to the point where maybe we thought that it was - the Lionesses [England's women's team], they've had a massive influence on that. Forest Green over the last few years have done a lot to get the women's team to where we are and so connected to the men's team. But if you think about how this is then going to impact many, many young girls that are playing, I think the message is we're not valued, 'we don't really care, we do it because we have to.'"

Impact on youth pathway

The closure also includes ending the partnership with Hartpury University's elite training centre for girls aged nine to 16. Jones acknowledged the difficult financial realities facing the club but lamented the decision's impact.

"It's difficult because we all can understand that football is a business, difficult decisions around finances do have to be made. Sadly in this instance it's come at our expense."

Players seek new opportunities

Jones said some players were exploring ways to continue playing together. She noted that local clubs had reached out offering opportunities, reflecting the close-knit women's football community in the area.

"I've had a lot of outreach locally from other clubs which is lovely and that goes to show how closely the women's football environment and the girls' pathways are locally - that we've had loads of clubs reaching out on social media and some of our old coaches as well about opportunities next season."

Forest Green Rovers stated they hope to fund the women's team again in the future. BBC Radio Gloucestershire has approached the club for further comment.