18th February 2017
Cheltenham Town Ladies FC Chairman Andy Liddle and Cheltenham Spa Ladies FC Chairman Gary Goodall are pleased to announce that the two boards have this morning agreed to collaborate with effect from the start of next season.
The brand Cheltenham Town will retain it’s identity, and be enhanced with a youth section at U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 and possibly U18 level. It is also likely that a third full ladies side will be created – effectively Cheltenham Town to compete on the National, Regional and County stages.
Whilst much of the detail is still to be finalised, work starts now and both Chairman are convinced this will benefit the girls and ladies game in the Town hugely.
Liddle said “For many years now, we have been signposting girls interested in playing the game at under 16 level to Spa, who have a great youth set up. As girls grow and develop their skills, many then seek to play adult football at a higher level, and many with Cheltenham Town Ladies. It therefore makes sense to create one bigger club, where pathways are clear, and where the focus at all levels is only on development”.
Girls and Ladies Football Development Officer for Gloucestershire Alexis Lunn-Gadd has been overseeing talks, and commented “The merger of the two clubs will ensure a pathway from youth female football starting at U8s right through to adult football with the Cheltenham Town’s first team in the FA Women’s Premier League. This can only be a positive move for football in Cheltenham in terms of growing and retaining teams and creating opportunitues for girls and women women of any age to play football in the area.
Liddle concluded, “I am delighted with the work our Vice Chair Ian Purvis has undertaken on this merger, and with Gary Goodall’s outlook, which is purely about developing female footballers.”
Pictured: Left to right – Graham Fletcher, Gary Goodhall, Andy Liddle and Guy Sterling-Lee.
