Blackburn Rovers withdraw from Women’s Championship
Blackburn Rovers have withdrawn from the Women’s Championship next season because club owners are unwilling to meet the league’s requirements on facilities, player welfare and staffing.
In an email sent to players by the club’s HR department on Tuesday, seen by BBC Sport, they say Blackburn are in “ongoing discussions with the Football Association (FA) regarding the division we will be competing in” next season.
Players and staff are still unsure of their future, whether they will remain semi-professional or if their contracts will be renewed.
The deadline to decide if the club wanted to meet the licence requirements and retain their tier-two status was on Monday, 19 May.
The email went on to say: “Due to the minimum standards required at the tiers below the Women’s Championship, there is a significant impact on the staffing and playing structure moving forward and so your role may be affected.
“We understand this may be disappointing to read and we aim to communicate which tier we will be operating in once we have this confirmation.”
The FA Board and WSL Football – the company overseeing the top two tiers of English women’s football – are expected to meet later on Tuesday to discuss the next steps.
Blackburn’s withdrawal could mean reinstating relegated Sheffield United, who sources say have held initial conversations around the possibility of their return to the Women’s Championship.
It became clear Blackburn were in a perilous position last week, when players said they were told by a team-mate via WhatsApp that there was a “99% chance the owners will not be financially supporting the team next season”.
Defender Niamh Murphy, 22, said: “I have been a Blackburn Rovers player for three seasons and the only consistency there has been is the lack of financial support from the club.
“Whilst this season may not look successful to some, we have once again avoided relegation despite having the smallest budget.
“This is a huge success and a credit to the women’s players and staff.”
The players and staff were awaiting communication from the club this weekend but sources say a meeting was cancelled on Monday evening and then delayed on Tuesday.
Coaching staff eventually joined a call with the board and HR department at 15:30 BST on Tuesday and following that, manager Simon Parker informed players of the news.
Sources say there is huge “frustration” and “confusion” within the playing group at the lack of transparency from the club.
The majority of the squad are not represented by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) – the trade union for footballers in England and Wales – but some have been contacted with advice and support.