Content warning: This article includes descriptions of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and abuse of power in a football context.
Former Sutton Coldfield Town Women First Team Manager Ryan Hamilton has been banned from all football-related activity for twelve years following a Football Association (FA) Regulatory Commission (RC) hearing that found him guilty of 23 breaches of FA Rule E3.1 for sexually inappropriate, abusive, and improper behaviour toward players and staff.
Several people have contacted Since71 today to share this report. Reading it was deeply troubling. At Since71, we strive to be balanced, constructive, and to champion the positive stories within women’s football. However, we also believe we have a responsibility to report on cases like this.
There will be coaches still operating in the women’s game today, and they must understand that this behaviour is unacceptable and there will be consequences. Victims and survivors must know they are not alone, that they will be heard and that allies are willing to stand up for their safety.
Hamilton has not provided a full or meaningful response to the allegations. During his FA interview, he took a phone call and ended the meeting prematurely, failed to arrange a follow-up interview, and did not provide the requested material from his phone despite stating it could shed light on some of the allegations. As a result, the Commission concluded that they were left with little more than “bare denials” in his defence. This failure to engage is not a good look.
The misconduct took place between May 2022 and November 2024 during Hamilton’s tenure at Sutton Coldfield Town Women. The case was heard on the papers by an independent three-person panel on 15 December 2025, with a final written ruling issued on 22 December 2025.
The Regulatory Commission concluded that Hamilton engaged in a consistent pattern of sexualised, intimidating, and abusive conduct toward five women — four players and one club colleague over more than 18 months.
The panel described all five witnesses as “credible and compelling.” Although some complainants had spoken to each other before formally reporting their concerns, the Commission found “no sense or feeling of collusion,” noting that the consistency of their accounts strengthened, rather than weakened, their credibility.
The ruling made clear that Hamilton’s behaviour went far beyond poor management or inappropriate banter. Instead, it amounted to a misuse of power and a breach of trust:
“Mr Hamilton was in a position of trust and had power and responsibility over the players. He misused that position in a misogynistic and sexually inappropriate way.”
The emotional impact on the women was a central part of the Commission’s reasoning. Many described feeling intimidated, trapped, and afraid to speak out because they feared repercussions for their playing careers:
“They were embarrassed… intimidated and uncomfortable… They feared the consequences of complaining… and worst of all, some of them somehow felt that it might be their fault.
The charges included:
Sending explicit images – Hamilton sent photographs of his genitals to players and a club colleague via Snapchat and WhatsApp.
Repeated sexual messages – He sent explicit and degrading messages to players, including propositions such as “let me sleep with you,” “I’m railing you in the office,” and comments objectifying players’ bodies and sexuality.
Inappropriate physical conduct – This included an unwanted kiss with a player in her car and repeatedly placing his arm around another player in the changing rooms while alone with her.
Sexual comments in football environments – Hamilton made overtly sexual remarks in changing rooms and during coaching sessions, including references to sex and threesomes.
Creating a culture of fear – Several players said they felt unable to challenge him because they feared being benched, sidelined, or treated harshly at training.
One player told the Commission, “I feel I am partly to blame for his actions as I never told him no or how it made me feel. I felt like I was completely out of control in these situations and was scared the consequences it would have for me at football. I felt like it was easier to just entertain the situation as such, because I was worried about what would happen if I didn’t.”
I felt uncomfortable, it got to the point that I was ready to quit football and give up…
The Commission also noted that Hamilton showed “no introspection, contrition or remorse.” Stating only that he was “not proud of” his behaviour.
The Regulatory Commission ruled that only a lengthy suspension was appropriate given the scale, seriousness, and duration of the misconduct. In explaining its decision, the panel emphasised that safeguarding must be central to women’s football, “Women should be able to participate in football free from the fear of any such improper, indecent, abusive and insulting behaviour.”
It also stressed the need for a strong deterrent message:
A clear message needs to be sent that this sort of misconduct will not be tolerated.
As a result, Hamilton was banned from all football-related activity for twelve years, effective immediately. No financial penalty or costs were imposed.
As women’s football continues to grow, ensuring safe, respectful environments must be non-negotiable. Talent, passion, and participation can only thrive where players feel protected, valued, and respected.
The full report is available from the following link, but please note the warning at the beginning of this article. https://t.co/NFJ1YvFXRZ
