Forest Green Rovers Disband Women’s Team to Prioritize Men’s EFL Return
Forest Green Rovers have announced the decision to disband their women’s team ahead of the 2026–27 season. The Gloucestershire-based club, widely recognized for its progressive environmental ethos, stated that the move is designed to "concentrate resources" on helping the men's first team secure promotion back to the English Football League (EFL). The decision has sparked significant debate within the football community, particularly given the women's team's highly successful campaign on the pitch.
During the recent season, the Forest Green Rovers women's side enjoyed an exceptionally strong run in the fifth tier of the English women’s football pyramid. Competing in the South West Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division, the team finished as runners-up, narrowly missing out on promotion to the fourth-tier National League by a single point behind champions Torquay United. Over the entire league campaign, the squad suffered only a single defeat, making the sudden dissolution of the program a difficult outcome for the players, coaching staff, and local supporters.
The redirection of funds comes at a critical juncture for the men's side, which suffered relegation from League Two to the National League in 2024. For a club that has long prided itself on sustainability—spearheaded by green energy tycoon and chairman Dale Vince—the financial realities of non-league football have forced a stark reassessment of priorities. Club officials emphasized that navigating the highly competitive National League requires total institutional focus to restore the club's EFL status, which they view as vital to the long-term financial viability of the entire organization.
Key Factors in the Decision:
- Resource Realignment: Shifting administrative and financial backing entirely to the men's National League campaign.
- EFL Ambitions: The club views a return to the English Football League as the primary driver for its overall survival and brand.
- Future Reinstatement: Club management expressed hope that a women's team will be reformed in the future once the club's financial footing stabilizes.
While the club has kept the door open for the women’s team to return in the future, the decision highlights the ongoing financial vulnerability of women's sides operating under the umbrella of lower-league men's clubs. Critics have pointed out that dismantling a highly successful women's setup run by dedicated local athletes conflicts with the club's inclusive, forward-thinking public image. In an official statement, the club acknowledged the disappointment the decision would cause, stating, "This was an incredibly difficult administrative decision, but our immediate operational focus must be directed toward returning the men's team to the professional ranks."