EXCLUSIVE: Women’s National League leaders resign en masse after row over starting the season on the same day as England’s World Cup final against Spain last weekend
- The reasons behind the dismissal were described as “various and complex”.
- Difficulties were cited in recruiting unpaid volunteers to run the National League
- The FA has stepped in and will immediately take control of the ongoing competitions
The entire Women’s National League management committee has resigned after a row over the decision to start the season on the same day as England’s World Cup final against Spain last Sunday.
The shock dismissal from the National League, which spans six divisions from the third tier, including clubs such as Newcastle, Wolves and Nottingham Forest, illustrates the ongoing structural problems within women’s football despite the achievements of the Lionesses World Cup.
Members of the National League Board were informed of the mass strike on Friday night in an email sent by chairman Carol West, which was viewed by Mail Sport.
While the reasons behind the dismissal have been described as “varied and complex”, the criticism of last Sunday’s games is believed to have been a major factor.
Difficulties in recruiting volunteers to run the National League on an unpaid basis also played a role.
The decision to host the opening weekend while the Lioness contested the World Cup final is said to have been a major factor in the mass resignations
Difficulties in recruiting unpaid volunteers to run the National League as cores watched the final in Australia also played a role
The National League consists of six divisions from the third tier, including Newcastle, Wolves and Nottingham Forest
The FA is said to have offered to intervene in running the National League and will immediately take charge of the leagues.
The surprise move leaves the governing body with responsibility for six divisions and 72 clubs at a time when they are exploring whether the sport’s two top divisions, the Women’s Super League and the Championship, could be handed over to the Premier League.
FA sources say they will be able to provide the National League with more resources and expertise at a time when women’s football is growing at an unprecedented rate.
While the vast majority of the clubs involved are amateurs, Newcastle’s squad is made up of full-time professionals and last season they drew 24,000 spectators to St James’ Park for a 6-1 win over Bradford that saw them promoted to the third tier.
The massive resignations come just two years after the FA stepped in to create a new board for the National League, with their own long-serving directors Sue Hough and Kelly Simmons, and independent appointees including TV presenter Jessica Creighton .
The FA, led by CEO Mark Bullingham (pictured), is said to have offered to step in to run the National League and will immediately take control of the leagues
The National League was heavily criticized for scheduling the start of the season on the day of the World Cup final last weekend, particularly after England qualified by beating Australia in the semi-finals, a win that led to fans petitioning launched calling for matches to be moved.
The National League had already agreed that matches could be rescheduled if clubs applied before an earlier deadline, even though 11 of the 12 Premier League matches went ahead on Sunday.
“The FA Women’s National League board has sadly accepted the resignation of the FA Women’s National League management committee,” a National League spokesman confirmed to Mail Sport.
“The board has asked the FA to put in place the necessary services to ensure the league and clubs are best supported as we head into the new season.”
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