Forest Green Rovers’ choice to shut down their women’s team signals that women’s football “isn’t valued,” according to former captain Hattie Jones.
The Gloucestershire side finished second in the South West Regional Women’s Premier Division last season, narrowly missing promotion to the fourth tier by a single point.
Despite that progress, the team will not compete next season as ownership plans to “focus resources” on returning the men’s squad to the English Football League after relegation to the National League in 2024.
Jones told BBC Radio Gloucestershire the move raises doubts about whether girls’ and women’s football is truly valued.
She said momentum had been building—boosted by the Lionesses’ influence—and that Forest Green had made real strides in connecting the women’s setup with the men’s in recent years.
However, she warned the decision will affect many young girls in the game and sends a message that women are not a priority, and that support can feel tokenistic.
Forest Green said they hope to secure funding to reinstate the women’s team in the future.
BBC Radio Gloucestershire has requested further comment from the club.