Forest Green Rovers chairman Dale Vince has defended the club’s decision to withdraw its women’s team, insisting the move was driven by financial necessity rather than a lack of commitment to the women’s game.
Responding to widespread criticism, Vince said the club is facing a £1.5 million loss of income as it enters a third consecutive season in the National League following relegation from the EFL.
He explained: “This will be our third season in the National League and as a result we face the full £1.5 million loss of income, it having been mitigated until now by reducing parachute payments.
“Seeing this coming for some weeks, we’ve reviewed all spending and our focus has had to be on regaining our place in the EFL – it’s the logical thing to do.”
Vince pointed out that the club had already cut its boys’ football programme without attracting similar criticism.
“As a result, we already had to cut the boys’ football programme – but faced no criticism for that, worth noting.”
He said Forest Green had hoped to preserve its women’s team and girls’ pathway through a partnership with Hartpury, but claimed that arrangement collapsed at the last minute.
“We believed we had found a way to continue with the women’s team and the girls’ system by partnering with Hartpury, but they changed their position very late in the day, leaving us facing the six-figure cost of running the women’s team alone. So we’ve needed to make this decision.”
Vince rejected suggestions the club had turned its back on women’s football, highlighting Forest Green’s long-standing investment in the women’s game.
“FGR have been supporting women’s football for over a decade. The criticism we’ve faced in the last few days is entirely misplaced – it’s unfair in fact.
“Economic realities have forced us to cut spending in many areas. We already cut funding to the system for boys as part of that. The women’s team cuts have come at the very end and only due to a last-minute let-down. That’s hardly indicative of a club that does not care about women’s football.”
Looking ahead, Vince said restoring the club’s academy pathways and women’s programme remains part of the long-term plan once Forest Green returns to the EFL.
“Our focus on getting back to the EFL is the most logical thing for us to do. Once we have achieved that we can restore all of the programmes we’ve not been able to afford this year – the boys’, girls’ and the women’s team.
“That’s our plan: to get back to where we were in all respects, in the EFL and with the wherewithal to fund the things we believe in, which – yes – does include football for women and girls. And boys.”
