Inside Thornaby FC’s decision to scrap their female football teams

Thornaby FC’s decision to scrap their female football teams has garnered a lot of criticism, from online women in sport advocates to Lioness Beth Mead, but what actually happened and why was this step taken in the first place?

Based in Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough, in the United Kingdom, the football club announced on Sunday that, following a vote at an emergency general meeting, they would be abandoning their women’s and girls’ football teams.

This would leave over 100 players without a club from U7s right up to senior level, meaning players, coaches and volunteers within the women’s side were left “devastated” upon hearing the news.

“The committee held an emergency meeting with all concerned and discussed the whole future of the club including the events over the last 12 months,” the club’s response statement on social media began.

“After discussions, it was felt the only way to continue was without the women and running with only the men’s team as before they came to the club also with the Staffing levels very low the day to day running of the club is in doubt,” it continued.

It was said that the move was taken after a "difficult year" for the club that saw its future questioned, and stakeholders even went as far to say it was “in doubt” due to low staffing levels.

Axing the women’s infrastructure was the measure taken by those involved to alleviate those concerns then as a result, although key figures have come out against the decision, namely the club chairman Garry Morris among others.

“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,” he said in a statement on social media.

“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,” he continued, adding that he firmly believes “this decision made yesterday does not do that, and will be making this clear to the remaining members of the board.”

The fallout from this has seen six board members step down, with Phil Genery, member of the committee, and Morris, who both voted against the move, believed to have remained.

The Northern Echo are reporting that Morris called for their resignations over their choice to abandon the women’s team, as well as the underage groups too.

The reaction to Thornaby FC’s decision to scrap their female football teams across social media

Thornaby FC’s decision to scrap their female football teams garnered a lot of attention on social media, including that of England and Arsenal star Beth Mead.

Speaking on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, she mentioned how she was “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,” Mead said, having grown up in Whitby, North Yorkshire, about a one hour drive from Thornaby FC’s base.

“I’d love to send the team a signed England shirt to keep them inspired
@ThornabyFCWomen,” she added.

“If I can help with anything, do reach out, us women need to stick together.”

Arsenal defender Maz Pacheco also offered her voice, quote tweeting the same post as Mead to explain how the decision has left her puzzled.

“This has blown my mind…How can you just remove a whole women’s and girls section of your club,” she said.

Testament to the chord this story has struck, it also has picked up attention outside of the sport.

Paralympic athlete Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson slammed the decision as “so sad” on social media, posing the question too of “Where do the girls go now?”