Blackburn Rovers forced to Withdraw from Women’s Championship

Blackburn Rovers have withdrawn from next season’s Women’s Championship. The club’s Indian owners, Venky’s, were unwilling to meet the league’s standards on player welfare, staffing and facilities.

Players were informed by email, confirming that Blackburn is in “ongoing discussions with the Football Association (FA) regarding the division we will be competing in”.

FA rules state that any club withdrawing from a league must restart at least two tiers below.

The deadline to retain their second-tier status passed on May 19.

Staff and players remain in limbo. They do not know which division they’ll compete in next season, whether they’ll stay semi-professional, or even if they will still have contracts.

The internal email said: “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.”

In a public statement, the club said: “The growing financial and operational constraints tied to tier two status, including the requirement to move to a fully professional model, have reached a point where they can no longer be sustained under the club’s current financial framework.

“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.”

WSL Football has said it “intends to ensure” the league still features 12 teams next season.

Rumours around Blackburn’s exit intensified last week when players were informed via WhatsApp by a teammate that there was a “99% chance the owners will not be financially supporting the team next season”.

Defender Niamh Murphy 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.”

There is concern about the club’s lack of transparency and the uncertainty surrounding their futures.

Most of the players are not represented by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), though some have received support and guidance from the union.

All WSL and Championship clubs must meet strict licensing criteria, including full-time staffing, elite facilities, and enhanced player wellbeing support.

Clubs are reviewed each season through a compliance and development inspection.

Despite its recent troubles, Blackburn Rovers Women have a proud history of developing talent. England internationals Keira Walsh, Ella Toone and Georgia Stanway all came through the club’s academy.

The club said: “We acknowledge the disappointment this may cause to our players, supporters and staff, and extend our heartfelt appreciation for their unwavering dedication last season, but this decision has not been made lightly.

“To be absolutely clear, Blackburn Rovers is not walking away from the Women’s game.

“Like other respected clubs with a proud history in the game, we are taking necessary steps and finding a path that is sustainable and responsible for the long-term future of women’s football at Blackburn Rovers.”

The withdrawal follows wider issues around Blackburn’s financial state.

The men’s team missed out on a Championship play-off spot and saw manager John Eustace leave for Derby County. Fan groups have publicly called for Venky’s to sell the club.

Although the club posted a £3.3 million profit in March, it relied heavily on transfer income. Adam Wharton’s £18 million move to Crystal Palace played a big part. Wage bills reportedly consumed 119% of the club’s turnover.

Chief operating officer Suhail Pasha said the club faced an annual £20 million deficit, which had to be covered by Venky’s.

The club’s joint awards ceremony for the men’s and women’s teams was also cancelled in the final week of the season.

The women’s team played matches at Ewood Park in a bid to boost visibility and revenue. However, average attendances remained under 1,000.

Players are on semi-professional contracts. The average salary is around £9,000, with the top earners reportedly on £15,000.

Nikki Doucet, CEO of WSL Football, said: “This is a sad day for women’s football and our hearts go out to the players, staff and fans at Blackburn Rovers Women affected by this decision.

“We have been working with the club all season to prevent this outcome, and we are disappointed it has come to this.

“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.”