Forest Green scrap women's team for 2026-27 season

Forest Green Rovers have announced that they will not have a women's team for the 2026-27 season.

In a statement, external, the club also said that they would be ending their partnership with Hartpury University's elite training centre for girls aged nine to 16.

Last season the women's team finished second in the South West Regional Women's Football League Premier Division, missing out on promotion to the fourth tier by just one point.

The club said that the decision would allow them to streamline their finances as they bid to push their men's side towards an EFL return.

In 2024, the Green Devils were relegated from League Two after seven seasons in the EFL and over the past two seasons have failed to return to the fourth tier, losing in the National League play-offs on both occasions.

"We had been in discussions with Hartpury Uni about a partnership, but the Uni made a decision that ruled out the possibility of a joint team," a club spokesman said.

"Our partnership with Hartpury has been worthwhile and valued. We'll continue to support them as they explore ways to take the programme forward through Hartpury Women FC.

"Forest Green Rovers is committed to returning to the EFL as quickly as possible, and that means concentrating our resources and efforts on strengthening the club and achieving that goal.

"This isn't goodbye to women's football at Forest Green.

"We'd like to return to it in the future, when the time is right and when we can build a programme that is sustainable and successful for the long term."