Notts County Ladies Fold

  My next blog post was going to be a Preview for the new FAWSL 1 Spring Series which starts tomorrow. Running a little behind just needed a few finishing touches before posting when I got home from work today... lost my appetite somewhat to re-edit and publish with the sad news that has come out today the folding up of FAWSL 1 club Notts County Ladies.

  Breaking news earlier today it is a huge blow to the women's game in England and the top tier of the sport. Thoughts are with the clubs, staff, fans and players all affected by this terrible news.

  Know how the fans of the club will be feeling right now, those who have read the SWF Blog from the very beginning will know I started it upon the back of the news in 2013 that Lincoln Ladies was to re brand and move to Nottingham a new franchise in the FAWSL as it moved into the next phase creating two divisions. It was a huge blow to the clubs fans many not sharing the clubs reasoning for the move, fans left angry and disappointed, nothing could be done to prevent it however. Lincoln Ladies disappeared becoming Notts County Ladies.

  I chose not to go follow the new franchise, starting the SWF Blog helped me find a new way to support the game, and in time my bitterness towards Notts County faded has long since disappeared. Support the game from a different angle now for the players not a club name although I do have a soft spot for Cambridge United WFC.

  Didn't agree or like the franchise system clubs bidding for a licence almost got the feeling that when the FAWSL increased in size a couple of sides granted licences went 'Shit! What do we do now?' Fully behind expanding the FAWSL it was highly successful but has been forced to grow too quickly clubs encouraged to work in partnership and gain support from their men's clubs or educational institutions. 

  The danger with joining forces with a men's club is they have been generally badly run in recent years in the pursuit of Premier League billions with disastrous results in some cases. What protection then for the women's side the FA was adamant it wouldn't happen.. well now it has.

  Businessman, Alan Hardy took on Notts County FC from former owner Ray Trew who also owned Notts County Ladies. He inherited both a men's and women's club that were wracked with debt the HMRC issuing a winding up order earlier in the year the signs of trouble were there a delay obtained only a stay of execution with today's sad news coming out.

  The club issued a statement which you can read by clicking on the link below.  

http://www.nclfc.co.uk/news/club_statement_468138745.html#hAoo2U2iT0cCCyJw.97

 Alan Hardy appeared keen to sort the Ladies side out keep it as part of the club he had taken on, seemingly unsustainable the statement claims there was interest from other Premier League sides in obtaining the franchise but the FA wouldn't allow it, no clubs were named however having sanctioned one rebranding not sure the FA would have allowed another... well perhaps a Man Utd bid...

  A real blow to the women's game already facing the challenge of moving back to the winter the move having many critics have plenty of concerns regarding that myself. The club was allowed to sign players even though they were heavily in debt and you would have expected the FA to be more aware of financial problems within a club. Clubs have been encouraged to spend however money going in that clearly wasn't going to be made up from feet through the turnstiles. 

  Has grown but at an alarming rate, Manchester City Women making a huge loss but one the larger club can absorb. Since joining the FAWSL, the club has grabbed the media attention but the financial gulf the FAWSL was supposed to prevent stop one club dominating as with the FAWPL before has been allowed to creep back in other clubs trying to keep up getting into trouble. 

  The move to becoming Notts County Ladies was a success, but it appears now at a price, the clubs fans embraced the women's side turned up in large numbers and the club brought in some high profile players 4 players in Mark Sampson's group for the upcoming Euro's. Made history by becoming one of the 1st sides to play an FA Women's Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, league success not coming so much.

  Due to play Arsenal Ladies on Sunday the fixture cancelled permanently, FAWSL 1 down to 9 teams how the FA resolves this time will tell. Aren't the only women's side in trouble make no bones about it and others in the FAWSL are vulnerable, Sunderland AFC Ladies reverting back to a part time model also a blow for the game's top tier. Watford Ladies looked in real trouble too right on the eve of their season but thankfully have looked to stabilise since. When I'm not writing this Blog I'm doing Women's Football East and right across the leagues that covers 16 in all, 18 sides have folded this season!

  The women's game is growing and doing well in places, clubs are doing thing's the right way, but far far more has to be done to support everyone involved in trying to make that happen, everyone looks up to the FAWSL. A wake up call for the game, let's hope so.

  Today I feel real sympathy for everyone involved with Notts County Ladies have some very good friends amongst the supporters who cared passionately for the girls they wanted to see succeed on the pitch now they are without a club it hurts just a hard as any loss when you care so passionately. 

  Sympathy for the players and coaching staff not only the loss of a club but a livelihood too, moving to the area for fulfil their football dream, Kirsty Linnett only recently joined a new start for the striker in tatters now. Not only the 1st team either, all FAWSL sides have a Development side, those young players beginning their football adventure seeing a dream ended.

  A sad day for all. Try to keep the faith those girls will always be the Ladypies wherever they go from here. The women's games needs it supporters more than ever and I hope everyone of you finds another way to continue your support as you come to terms with today's news.