Teesside club officials axe female section leaving women and girls without football team
More than 100 are now searching for another club to join
Last updated 10th Jun 2024
More than 100 women and girls have been left without a football club after officials voted to axe its female section.
The committee of Teesside-based Thornaby FC made the controversial decision following an emergency meeting, later explaining that the day-to-day running of the club "is in doubt", blaming low staffing levels.
The women's section, writing on Facebook, said that the club's under 7s, 8s, 10s, 11s, 15s and women's teams would be lost.
"This leaves over 100 girls without a club," they said.
"We are are all devastated to hear of the Thornaby FC decision and would like to thank the members of the club who voted to keep female football."
Despite the committee agreeing to axe the female section, club chairman Garry Morris came out against the decision.
In a statement on social media, he said: "I have made my feelings known to the board, have 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 fans of the club to make the right decisions for the future of the club, and all those who show their unwavering support to both the male and female teams of all age groups deserve better.
"I firmly believe this decision made yesterday does not do that, and will be making this clear to the remaining members of the board."
Lionesses and Arsenal forward Beth Mead, who played as a youngster at Middlesbrough's Centre of Excellence, said: "Disgusted to see this decision, the women's game is on the up but we still have committees making these horrible decisions.
"It's not good enough, these young girls deserve better.
"I'd love to send the team a signed England shirt to keep them inspired @ThornabyFCWomen
"If I can help with anything do reach out, us women need to stick together."
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, winner of 11 Paralympic golds, called the decision "so sad", adding on social media: "Where do the girls go now @thornaby_fc".
We have approached Thornaby Football Club for a statement. We have been told the club will issue a statement in full on Tuesday (11 June).
Thornaby Women manager Abbey Lyle believes gender is a factor in the club's decision to withdraw their 'entire female section'.
Thornaby FC, based in Stockton in County Durham, announced on Sunday that following an emergency meeting the decision was taken to axe all of the club's female teams, which range from youth squads through to senior level.
A further statement was published by club chairman Garry Morris on social media, asking the board to "reconsider" their decision.
Lyle completed her first season in charge of the women's senior side, where they finished third in the North East Regional Women's Football League - tier six of the football pyramid.
"We've had the most successful season, it was mine and Claire's (Streeter) first season in charge. We've pulled players from all over the north east really to come and play for us," Lyle told PA news agency.
"We really sold them Thornaby, they're a community club and people travel far to come and play for this club.
"We've had a great season, we got to a cup final at the Riverside. Granted we got beaten, but we were playing a team that's competing against the likes of Middlesbrough, York, Leeds, we're at the Riverside, we sold 800 tickets.
"We narrowly missed promotion and that's in our first season. It's nothing to do with our positioning, it's more to do with - I hate to say it - but it's more to do with gender because there's no other reason for it. I can't see any other reason other than that, unfortunately."
Lyle found out about the news on Saturday night and Thornaby Women's social-media pages announced the axing the following day, adding that "over 100 girls" would be left without a club.
"I think they're absolutely floored," Lyle said.
"It ranges between the ages, the children, the really young ones, they'll recover from it because they're young enough not to be affected by all the social media and their parents will take them to another club and hopefully that club will support them.
"But as you gradually get up the ages, the under-15s are a really good team, they've won everything in sight this season, same as the under-18s. They're young and they see social media.
"The women, it's different, we're all friends at the women. A lot of them do it for mental health, we've got firewomen, paramedics, policewomen, they do it to get away from life.
"They come and see their friends, have a laugh, play sport. It's affected everyone differently and we've had to approach it differently to every age group I suppose."
The withdrawal has attracted criticism from all corners of the sporting world, with 11-time Paralympic gold medallist Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson labelling the decision on X as "so sad".
Tottenham forward Bethany England said on X: "Saddened and disgusted to be reading this. The fight for women to keep their place at the table is a never ending battle.
"This should not be happening, these women and girls deserve better! My thoughts go out to everyone involved at the club, players, staff and volunteers."
Thornaby have also received an outpouring of support from other grassroots clubs on social media and Lyle admits the response has been "amazing".
"Seeing the likes of Beth Mead, Bethany England, Tanni-Grey Thompson, all of these people I'm lost for words," she said.
"We grew up playing against the likes of Beth Mead and some of our girls played with her. For her to help, reach out and share her support just shows we're a community and we stick together.
"It's about the community as a whole and the messages are insane, it's amazing. I don't want six people to put a dampener on how far women's football has come because it's come a massive way.
"We can't thank England Women enough for what they've done and all the teams in the north east, your likes of Sunderland, Newcastle, Durham and Middlesbrough making their step up, it's class.
"I love every minute of it and I can't thank them enough."
The Football Association said it was "very disappointed" by the decision that had been taken and a spokesperson for the national governing body said: "In recent years, we have seen unprecedented growth across the women's and girls' game in this country, and we are fully committed to ensuring all women and girls can access and play the game - whether that be in schools or in their local community.
"We are currently supporting North Riding County FA who are in contact with the club to see if a suitable resolution can be agreed."