A statement to fans was offered by the club after it was reported by the Guardian that Wakefield AFC had disbanded its women’s team earlier this month.

The circumstances for this West Yorkshire non-league side are yet another indication of the work which still needs to be done to support women’s football that exists below the top level in England. From the collapse of Reading FC, to the scrapping Thornaby FC women and girls, to West Ham United not playing a single match at the London Stadium last season, this summer has served as a harsh reminder that many still see the women’s game as second class. Consequently, the investment at this stage simply isn’t enough, and it is more often than not those already playing in an economically unstable environment who suffer.

This is not to neglect the fact that yards of positive progress have been made, and there are many examples of such progress since the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022. However, there are as many instances of setbacks and maltreatment that affirm the need for further change.

As per the Guardian, “Former players and a coach at Wakefield AFC women’s side have spoken out after the club cut training facilities for the team and then disbanded it without prior notice.”

Wakefield’s statement included the claim that “The main reason the women’s team has to be shut down is the lack of facilities.” It also outlines that “This decision was not made lightly and followed months of efforts to find a suitable solution. Despite attempts to sustain the team, ongoing challenges, mainly related to funding and facilities, have made it unsustainable to continue.“

Further, the club affirmed “We admit that communication with the remaining players was poor and they have a right to be upset. At the same time, we fully stand by our difficult decision to shut down the team, after many years of investing in it, and start a girls’ program.”

An open letter from the players included concerns that “It is evident that during the last two seasons in particular that Wakefield AFC have had little to no intentions of supporting, growing and developing the women’s side.” The women’s squad also seem to have been virtually exiled from the club, with incidents such as being excluded from the kit launch, as explained by the Guardian.

The Halfway Line strives to highlight stories like Wakefield’s because we cannot authentically champion the women’s game without also bringing awareness to and discussing the more difficult subject matters. Many factors such as investment and accessibility are contributing to the collapse of lower tier women’s teams. Unfortunately, such demises have happened all too frequently as of late, and these conversations are vital if we are to see change in the near future.