Blackburn Rovers will withdraw from the WSL 2 after the club’s owners made the decision not to meet the league’s minimum requirements on facilities, player welfare, and staffing.
Players and staff were told of the decision on Tuesday afternoon, shortly before the club released a public statement. Next season will see them re-enter the women’s football pyramid at least two tiers lower.
“This decision follows a comprehensive review of the evolving demands placed on second tier clubs, which have become unsustainable under our current model,” reads a statement published on the Blackburn Rovers website.
“Key factors influencing this decision include the significant rise in minimum criteria set by the league, including extended contact hours for players and the requirement for a full-time professional contract model, an increase in staffing levels, leading to further escalating wage costs, and a greater strain on training ground and stadium facilities.”
Last season, Blackburn Women played all their home league fixtures at the club’s main ground Ewood Park for the first time. But Tuesday’s statement says low attendance figures at these games also resulted in an absence of “substantial matchday commercial revenue.”
“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,” said defender Niamh Murphy.
“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 22-year-old added: “This group has worked relentlessly hard all season for so little reward.
“We all earn less than a liveable wage, with many players having to live away from home whilst also having to work other jobs to survive, and this is what we get in return.”
But Blackburn’s withdrawal could be good news for relegated side Sheffield United who now could be re-instated to the WSL 2 ahead of next season.
WSL Football, the company that oversees the top two tiers of English women’s football, says it intends to “operate with 12 clubs for the 2025/26 season in adherence with the women’s football pyramid regulations.”
And of Blackburn’s decision, Company CEO Nikki Doucett said: “We have been working with the club all season to prevent this outcome, and we are disappointed it has come to this.
“We will do all we can to help provide current players and staff members at the club opportunities, including those at the Professional Game Academy, so they can remain in the women’s game.
“Women’s football is on a journey, and whilst it remains in a financially fragile position, the game is growing and there will be brighter days ahead.
“We have a long-term strategy to drive more investment and to continue raising standards across the game to ensure players and staff can operate in safe, professional environments.”
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