Women’s team go semi-professional

FOUNDED in 2004, Sedgley & Gornal United FC Women will be turning semi-professional from the 2020-2021 season, with the team set to become the first in the country to be paid more than their male counterparts.

The team was formed in 2015 as Gornal Ladies, gaining two successive promotions after playing their first match in Birmingham County Women’s League.

In 2018, two well-established teams – Gornal Colts/ladies and Sedgley Scorpions – merged to create Sedgley and Gornal United FC Women; a club with over 25 teams and the intention to double within the next five years, including increasing girls’ and women’s teams substantially.

By achieving semi-professional status, the team’s players will be paid for the first time in the club’s history, and will become one of the first female squads in the UK to be paid whilst the men’s team remains amateur.

Not only will the decision to pay playing staff help to attract quality footballers, but it will also mean that players are supported and encouraged to continue to play football in the expected economic downturn following Covid-19.

The team is currently playing in West Midlands Regional Women’s League Division 1 South, with eyes firmly set on promotion in the next couple of years, and the ultimate goal of playing in the National Leagues.

Calum Mccloskey, calum@10yetis.co.uk