Hannah Dingley takes charge of first game as Forest Green Rovers head coach | 'This isn't a gimmick'

Hannah Dingley was named Forest Green's caretaker boss on Tuesday following Duncan Ferguson's departure from the Gloucestershire club; Dingley took charge of Rovers for first time against Melksham Town in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:35, UK

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Hannah Dingley, the first woman to take charge of an English Football League club, oversaw her opening game on Wednesday as Forest Green began their pre-season campaign with a 1-1 draw against non-League Melksham Town.

Forest Green's academy manager of four years, Dingley has stepped up on an interim basis after Duncan Ferguson's brief reign came to an end earlier this week.

A former university lecturer, Dingley was already the only woman in charge of a men's academy at an EFL club, and while no time-frame has been put on her interim appointment, she hopes the landmark move will inspire others.

«The important thing is role-modelling for other female coaches and young girls and growing up knowing that anything is possible if you work hard enough,» she told a busier-than-usual press conference at Oakfield Stadium.

«It's the first and it's great, but I don't want to be the only. It's slightly disappointing that, as the first female academy manager, I'm still the only one.

»If we want change to happen we need more females in these positions throughout clubs. We need more opportunities.

«This is about those players in the changing room. It's about them getting the preparation they need for the campaign ahead, nothing should distract from that. The team are the priority. This isn't a gimmick.»

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