In heartbreaking news this afternoon Yeovil Town Ladies are set to enter administration and say they “recognise” they will not be competing in the Women’s Super League club next season.
As has been seen in the men’s game with the likes of Portsmouth and Leeds United, have been deducted ten points with immediate effect. There are five games remaining this season and the deduction will leave them with mine six points, fifteen points from their nearest rivals.
Last summer they were granted a licence to the compete in the Women’s Super League as a full-time, professional club. They have won many friends over the season with their spirited performances but have failed to pick up the points that those performances have deserved. The highlight of the season came with a 1-0 win against Everton with a goal from club captain, Hannah Short.
In a club statement they have said “Yeovil Town Ladies have accepted the decision of the FA to impose sporting sanctions on the club due to the financial difficulties which were announced earlier this month.
“However, through the commitment of the directors and others and the support of the FA, who have been able to advance next year’s funding to us early, the club is pleased that it will complete all games this season and so there is no necessity for any further formal insolvency process to continue.
“The club is now looking forward to establishing itself in the Championship next season and once again building its future on and off the field.”
Kelly Simmons, the FA’s director of the women’s professional game, added: “We are saddened by today’s news. Yeovil Town Ladies FC has a long history in women’s football and we will do everything we can to support the club during this difficult time.
“However, we are pleased that we are able to give Yeovil Town Ladies FC the support they need to continue in the WSL for the remainder of the 2018-19 campaign. At the end of the season we will have further consultation with the club to agree the next steps and understand how we can best support them going forward.”
I’m desperately sad to hear this news. This is yet another reminder after the troubles of Notts County and Doncaster Belles that investment is vital at all levels of women’s football. I hope that the club can bounce back from this and have a happy future as they and their fans deserve.
