Blackburn Rovers fans have expressed their dismay and anger after the club's controversial decision to withdrawn their Women's team from Super League 2.
Earlier this week, the club confirmed they would not be re-entering into the second tier of the Women's game despite avoiding relegation.
Rovers cited low attendances and the increased costs caused by the new licensing agreement of the Women's game. From 2025/26, all first and second-tier teams will have to be full-time.
The cost to the club is roughly 150K at present and would rise by about four times that figure, as a result of the changes. Therefore, Rovers have decided against retaining their Super League 2 status.
READ MORE: Blackburn Rovers confirm controversial decision on future of Women's team
Understandably, many Rovers fans have voiced their anger and disappointment at the club's decision. It is the second successive summer that the club have been hit by negative national headlines for their conduct around the Women's team.
Defender Rachel Dugdale says that there was little communication from the club about the decision or the ramifications on their player's long-term future.
For many, such as Dugdale, they earn between 9-15K per year on a part-time contract. It is a balancing act between working second jobs and committing to playing the sport they love.
"There is just a feeling of being devalued," Dugdale told BBC Sport.
"The amount of work we put in this year, despite having by far the lowest budget within the league, was all due to our sacrifice and dedication.
"To not have that communication really made us feel devalued as players. It sends a really poor and strong message to younger female footballers that owners and people higher up don't have the will, or want, to do right by us.
"There have been conversations among us, but no other communication from the club in terms of paying out the rest of our contracts or what it would mean.
"They still don't know what tier we will be in. That financial security is the main thing on all of our minds at the moment.
"We deserve to know and have extra support put in place for the staff and the players."
The Blackburn Rovers Trust and Supporters' Coalition have slammed the decision by the club. Both expressed their anger with the decision and have urged for meaningful engagement to resolve the issues at hand.
A statement from the Coalition once again called for Venky's to sell the club and for the removal of Suhail Pasha from the board.
"The Blackburn Rovers Supporters Coalition is devastated and outraged by the decision to remove Blackburn Rovers Women’s Football Club from the Tier 2 Women’s Championship League," they said.
"A decision made without empathy, integrity, or accountability; in the same year our club marks its 150th anniversary. Yesterday’s shameful announcement marks a new low for Blackburn Rovers under the Rao family’s ownership. BRWFC players and staff – many of whom have given years of their lives to the club – were informed in a manner that showed zero respect for their contribution and sacrifice.
"Mortgages, careers, livelihoods and futures have been jeopardised with little regard or due care. The statement released by the club yesterday has placed the blame squarely on the fanbase, pleading a lack of sustainability in the current business model.
"It is the Coalition’s view that the lack of investment and action from the club hierarchy to support the development of the women’s team is the sole point of accountability. The very notion that anyone except the Rao family and Suhail Shaikh are to blame for their calamitous stewardship of the club should be rejected out of hand by the entire fanbase.
"In contrast with yesterday’s statement, we emphasise that the club has refused to consider alternative funding models for BRWFC or to meaningfully engage with those willing to explore such solutions.
"The uncomfortable truth exposed at the heart of the club’s actions yesterday is stark; the Rao family and Suhail Shaikh have no interest in the development of Blackburn Rovers as a football club. Any dispassionate observer would see that what we are witnessing is a legacy – built by Jack Walker – being systematically chipped away by those who appear to neither understand nor respect what that legacy means.
"You cannot honour 150 years of history by eroding the very fabric of the club. The Blackburn Rovers Supporters Coalition stands united in opposition to this decision. We demand accountability, transparency and a comprehensive review of the club’s failings in light of yesterday’s announcement.
"After another season of negative international news coverage, a manager walking out on the club due to a lack of support/investment, consistently deceptive communications to fans, and now the callous and insulting handing of the Blackburn Rovers Women’s team’s future, we call for the immediate removal of Owners’ Representative and COO Suhail Shaikh (Pasha)."
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