Forest Green Rovers owner Dale Vince has addressed the criticism following the club’s announcement that it will not field a women’s team in the 2026-27 season. The decision, made on Tuesday, centers on reallocating resources to strengthen the men’s squad with the aim of regaining their place in the English Football League (EFL).
In addition to disbanding the women’s team, the club has ended its partnership with Hartpury University, whose elite training program supported girls’ football development from ages nine to 16. This move has been met with widespread disapproval.
Vince described the backlash as “unfair,” emphasizing the financial strain the club now faces. Last season, the women’s team narrowly missed promotion, finishing second in the South West Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division. Despite their success, running the women’s program would have resulted in a six-figure expense.
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The club has been coping with a £1.5 million revenue deficit annually since its relegation to the National League in 2024. Parachute payments, which cushioned this loss, are set to expire next season. Vince explained that the club had explored a joint team arrangement with Hartpury University, but the university reversed its position late in negotiations, forcing Forest Green to confront the full cost alone.
Hartpury University expressed pride in their collaboration with Forest Green Rovers, stating, “Following Forest Green Rovers’ decision not to operate a women’s first-team for the 2026-27 season, our priority is to explore how Forest Green Rovers’ emerging talent centre can continue through our own successful Hartpury Women FC.”
In his statement, Vince elaborated, “This will be our third season in the National League, resulting in a full £1.5 million income shortfall, previously offset by parachute payments. Anticipating this, we reviewed all expenditures with a focus on returning to the EFL, which necessitated cuts across the club, including boys' football programs—cuts that went largely unnoticed.”
He continued, “We believed a partnership with Hartpury would allow us to maintain the women’s team and girls’ development system. However, their last-minute withdrawal meant we faced substantial costs alone, compelling us to make this difficult decision. Forest Green has supported women’s football for over a decade, and the recent criticism does not reflect our commitment. Economic realities have forced cuts across the board.”
Vince concluded by outlining the club’s plan for recovery: “Our priority is to return to the EFL, after which we aim to reinstate all programs, including those for boys, girls, and women. Supporting football opportunities for all is a core value, and we remain dedicated to that vision once we regain the financial stability to do so.”