Exciting future ahead for team following merger
MIDDLESBROUGH WOMEN ARE UNDER CLUB’S UMBRELLA
MIDDLESBROUGH Women are now under the umbrella of Middlesbrough Football Club as a merger between the two entities was confirmed.
Boro made the announcement yesterday, and held a press conference at Rockliffe to confirm the news as well as introduce former Sunderland Ladies boss Mick Mulhern as the new manager.
He replaces Andy Campbell as the manager after the former Boro striker left towards the end of last season.
As well as Mulhern as team manager, Ben Fisher will serve as general manager having previously been the Women’s chairman when the two were still separate entities.
Mulhern’s appointment sees him return to coaching after a spell doing scouting work for the FA and Newcastle United.
Most notably, Mulhern had a long spell in charge of Sunderland’s Ladies side, guiding them to the Women’s Super League in 2014 having worked with numerous top talents in the female game including Jill Scott, Lucy Bronze, Steph Houghton and Teessider Beth Mead.
Chief executive Neil Bausor said: “It’s no secret that the affiliation of an MFC women’s team has been under discussion for a period of time, and we now believe the infrastructure is in place to move forward. The club is wholly committed in its backing of MFC Women and we are excited about the future.
“I’d also like to place on record our thanks to Ben and Susannah Fisher for all their hard work and dedication.”
General manager Ben Fisher said: “This is an historic day for us all. We’re delighted to have the support of the club and be very much a part of things.
“This gives us a real opportunity to move forward, and we are highly ambitious.
“This now means that every young person who comes through the doors at the Riverside will have that opportunity to represent MFC and wear the badge.
“The appointment of Mick as manager is a real coup for us because of the knowledge and experience he brings, and we’re looking forward to working closely together.”
Founded in 1976, this is the first time that the men’s and women’s teams have been under the same umbrella. Boro Women currently compete in the National League Division One North (the fourth tier of the women’s game) and finished 12th this season. With the backing of Steve Gibson and co they are now hoping to rise up the pyramid.
Home games are played at Bishopton Road West, which is also the home of Stockton Town FC, but there are plans for some games to be hosted at the Riverside next season.
The women will also have the benefit of using the club’s training facilities at Rockliffe Park.
This gives us a real opportunity to move forward, and we are
highly ambitious.
Ben Fisher