Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Abigail Turner

Forest Green Rovers appoints first woman to lead men's football side

Forest Green Rovers has appointed the first woman to lead a professional men's football side.

Hannah Dingley will join the Gloucestershire club, which is recognised by FIFA and the United Nations as the world's greenest football.

Ms Dingley will take the position as caretaker head coach, after joining the club as a coach four years ago. She remains the only woman in charge of men's English Football League Academy. During her tenure at the club, Ms Dingley has also initiated the launch of the FGR Girls Academy in 2021, which develops female players. She takes the reins with immediate effect.

Read more: Former football club CEO appointed to Ice Hockey UK

Dale Vince, chairman, Forest Green Rovers, commented: “Hannah was the natural choice to be first-team interim Head Coach - she’s done a fantastic job leading our Academy and is well aligned with the values of the club.

"It’s perhaps telling for the men’s game that in making this appointment on merit, we’ll break new ground - and Hannah will be the first female Head Coach in English (men’s) football."

Ms Dingley said: "I’m really excited for this next step of my career. Pre-season has just begun and the full season kicks off very soon. It’s an exciting time in football. I am grateful for the opportunity to step up and to lead such a progressive and forward-thinking club.”

Early this year Forest Green Rovers was named among the most environmentally sustainable in the football league Sport Positive Leagues. The club finished top of a table which ranks the 72 EFL clubs based on how eco-friendly their operations and policies are.

Like this story? Why not sign up to get the latest South West business news straight to your inbox.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.