July 5 – Forest Green Rovers, the English club renowned globally for its “green” ethos and Vegan culture, has broken new ground again by becoming the first men’s professional team in the UK to hire a female manager.
Hannah Dingley has been appointed caretaker boss of the tier-4 team after they dispensed with the services of Duncan Ferguson following relegation to League Two at the end of the season.
“I’m really excited for this next step of my career,” Dingley, who has a UEFA pro licence, told the club’s website. “I am grateful for the opportunity to step up and to lead such a progressive and forward-thinking club.”
Dingley, 39, joined Forest Green in 2019 to take charge of the academy and remains the only woman to manage a club academy in English men’s league football. She previously coached women’s teams at several other clubs.
“Hannah was the natural choice,” said Forest Green chairman and leading environmentalist Dale Vince, the man behind the club’s unique story.
“She’s done a fantastic job leading our academy and is well aligned with the values of the club. It’s perhaps telling for the men’s game that in making this appointment on merit, we’ll break new ground.”
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