Women’s football in Lincolnshire has an exciting future with the two leading clubs in the county coming together to form a strategic collaboration under the umbrella of Lincoln Women.
The new partnership is created by Lincoln City and Lincoln United agreeing to work together at senior level as part of the memorandum of understanding agreed between the two clubs this summer.
City’s chief executive Liam Scully said: “We found that despite the great intentions from both City and United we were effectively diluting the potential for a team representing Lincoln with players, coaches and resources effectively being split between the two sides.
“In working together we aim to create the environment and structure for a women’s team to successfully challenge at step 4, and in time establish themselves at step 3. This is an exciting moment where we think this gives the best opportunity for women from the area to play at the highest possible level and give women and girls in Lincolnshire an identity to inspire them. At the same time we aim to have a fluid and dynamic pathway that ensures players are given opportunity to participate in competitive games programmes at the appropriate level for their development ”
United chairman Stuart Reddington added: “We feel this gives Lincoln the best chance of success in women’s football - that the conditions will now be there for a women’s team to succeed at the level we’re currently at and aspire to reach and thrive at the next level.”
Under the Lincoln Women collaboration, the City will be represented by three teams - with the most senior side competing in the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands (step 4).
This side will play at the Sun-Hat Villas & Resorts Stadium, home of Lincoln United, with a commitment to play at least two games a season at the LNER Stadium.
Lee Mitchell will be manager of the first-team, supported by Steve Hardie and Alan Murray, continuing the coaching team which has been successful at both City and United in recent years.
Lincoln Women will also compete in the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League (step 5), alongside representation in the Quickline Lincolnshire Women & Girls' County Football League (step 6).
As part of this development, Lincoln Women will represent our city and the rich and strong history of both clubs and as part of this a singular visual identify will represent our collective interests
There are opportunities to support Lincoln Women including as front of shirt sponsor - for more details email commercial@theredimps.com.