Bristol City head coach Lauren Smith has voiced her disappointment over the FA’s compensation system after the Robins have been left short-changed by the departure of Brooke Aspin to Chelsea.
Aspin has completed a move to the WSL champions, with the 18-year-old being loaned back to Ashton Gate for the duration of the 2023/24 season, but City have received no financial credit for the development of the young defender.
Aspin emerged through the City academy after being signed when she was just 14 and has become a first-team regular over the last two seasons in the Championship but has elected to sign a first professional contract with Chelsea.
Unlike in the men’s game, which offers clubs financial protection on players under the age of 24 who leave on free transfers providing they have been offered a new contract, no such mechanism has existed in the women’s game until this year.
The new Professional Game Academy (PGA) system ensures that teams in the WSL receive £5,000 for every year a departing player has spent in the club's youth system, and sides in the Championship £2,500 when they sign for a top-flight club. But Aspin’s departure falls outside of when the rules are to be implemented and the FA will not be backdating any cases.
Having captained England Under-17s, Aspin is widely expected to become a future full international and has the potential to be a mainstay of the Chelsea team for many years to come but City won’t be rewarded with anything other than pride in their former player.
"It’s disappointing that there isn't a sustainable model in place to ensure that clubs like us, that are proud to develop and support youth players, are supported and compensated in these situations,” head coach Smith said.
“This is an exciting move for Brooke and we’re really pleased to be able to have her back on loan next season. We know how good she is as a player but there’s still more to come and we know that Bristol City is the perfect place to continue her development over the next year.”
Aspin has experienced a challenging 12 months which has culminated with this move in the wake of securing promotion to the WSL with the Robins. However, in August she was hospitalised for three weeks with a bone infection and sepsis.
“Last year was the hardest year imaginable,” Aspin wrote in an emotional letter to supporters. “But the players, staff and everyone associated with Bristol City supported me through it all, and I can’t put into words just how much this team feels like family.
“I am in this position because of the trust that Lauren and the coaching staff have placed in me over the last two years. Having played a small part in helping Bristol City return to the WSL, I now want to make sure I give everything I can to help the club thrive there.
I have always given my absolute best, both on and off the pitch to help this wonderful club succeed. Bristol City has given me everything in return, and we have unfinished business together.”
