Thornaby Football Club's decision to abandon its women's and girls' teams; over 100 players will have to find new clubs to stay in the game. Photo: Thornaby Ladies
England striker Beth Mead appears to have helped force grassroots football club Thornaby FC's decision to scrap all women's teams to be overturned by expressing her disgust at the move.
Controversy sparked widespread anger on social media after the board voted on Sunday to get rid of all women's teams, including youth teams.
The backlash led to six board members resigning after As chairman, Gary Morris also publicly attacked his fellow committee members.
More than 100 players have been told they will have to find a new club, although Mead's intervention appears clear. prompting a U-turn: on Monday the club announced the formation of a new board, which will include representatives from the women's team.
Mead, who grew up nearby in North Yorkshire, had previously expressed her anger on social media:
< p lang='en' dir='ltr'>I hate to see this decision, the women's game is on the rise but we still have committees making these terrible decisions. It's not enough, these young girls deserve better. I'd love to send the team a signed England shirt to inspire them @ThornabyFCWomen ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/vW3iLiJDn1
— Beth Mead MBE (@bmeado9) June 10, 2024
The news has broken, when the Thornaby FC women's account on X wrote: «AND THIS IS (A) COMPLETION…
“Yesterday we learned that the majority of Thornaby FC's committee, chaired by Trevor Wing, voted to remove the entire women's section from the club. Women under 7, under 8, under 10, under 11, under 15.
“More than 100 girls are left without a club. We would like to thank all of our coaches, volunteers, players, fans and sponsors for their dedication over the past three years. You are all AMAZING. We are all devastated to hear about (sic) Thornaby.»
Thornaby Football Club has been the victim of vandalism this summer, including a devastating arson that destroyed facilities they are now struggling to find money to repair, but getting rid of all the women's teams and keeping the men's has caused outrage.
< p lang='en' dir='ltr'>Someone else said that finances are a problem. But it seems unfair to cut all the girls
— Tanni Gray-Thompson (@Tanni_GT) June 9, 2024
The decision angered Morris, who made it clear he fought to keep the women's teams and will now form a new one board with fellow ally Phil Genery.
In a statement, he said: “In light of the recent actions taken by the Thornaby board, of which I am chairman, I would like to take this opportunity to clarify my thoughts at what is an extremely difficult and, more importantly, time for the club. female players were impacted [sic] by these actions.
“The decision to withdraw support for the women's team is one with which I do not agree and, along with another committee member, voted against it at yesterday's emergency meeting. meeting.
“I have made my feelings known to the board of directors and asked them to reconsider their decision and also to consider their positions on the board as patrons and trustees of the football club.
“We are empowered by the club's supporters to make the right decisions for the future of the club and that's all those who show their unwavering support for both men's and women's teams across all age groups deserve better.
“I firmly believe this decision made yesterday does not do this and will make that clear to the rest of the board.”
p>
Thornaby Ladies finished third in the North East Regional Women's Football League Division North last season. Photo: Thornaby Ladies
Parents devastated girls also spoke out. Michelle Burrell's 11-year-old daughter Alice plays for Thornaby's under-11 team.
«We are absolutely devastated by Thornaby Football Club's decision to cease all women's teams,» she said. “Alice only joined Thornaby a year ago, but this year her passion for football has really flared up.
“She loves everything — training, matches, new friends — everything that has to do with the game.< /p >
“These girls deserve so much more and their opportunity to play was taken away from them. What happened to this girl? Clearly not Thornaby.»
Thornaby FC have reached out for a response.
Beth Mead: Something needs to change in women's football to protect players Read more
Свежие комментарии