Forest Green Rovers announced on June 30 that its women’s team will not compete in the 2026/27 season, a move that captain Hattie Jones called "classless" and a step back for gender equality.

What triggered the axe?

The club’s statement said the priority is returning to the English Football League, so resources will be focused on the men’s side. After relegation from League Two in 2024, Forest Green have missed two national‑league play‑off spots and are desperate to climb back. The decision came just weeks after the women finished second in the South West Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division, their highest ever finish.

How does it affect the players?

Jones warned that dozens of girls in the club’s pathway now face an uncertain future, forced to seek new clubs. "We lost one game, drew a couple, and that was the whole season," she recalled, highlighting the team’s strong performance. The disbandment means the loss of a development route for local talent and could leave a gap in grassroots football for women in Gloucestershire.

Is Forest Green alone?

The move mirrors Plymouth Argyle’s recent decision to let its women’s contracts lapse. Both clubs argue financial pressure, yet many lower‑league sides continue to invest in women’s programmes. Jones argued that success on paper isn’t enough for the board, which appears to have weighed short‑term financials over long‑term community impact.

What’s the club’s current standing?

In the National League, Forest Green sit 7th with 81 points from 46 games (23W‑12D‑11L) and a recent form of WLWDW. They have scored 82 goals and conceded 52, a +30 goal difference, but sit 27 points behind leaders York. Their last result was a 1‑0 loss to Boreham Wood on April 29, 2026, and the recent five‑match run reads LLWWL, with two defeats in a row.

What could happen next?

The club’s website promised a future return when a sustainable programme can be built. Until then, the women’s squad faces an abrupt end, and the broader conversation about equality in lower‑league football intensifies. Fans and activists are urging the owners, led by Dale Vince, to reconsider and restore the women’s side before the next season begins.