Name change ignites progressive move forward for ladies football club

Swindon Town Ladies have announced that they are changing their name, as they embrace the upsurge of interest in women’s football.

Wiltshire’s highest-ranked football club, which has operated under that name since its founding in 1993, is proud to announce that it will move forward as Swindon Town Women.

The committee and staff of Swindon Town Women felt that the time was right to adopt a more modern, inclusive name, as the club seeks to build on its status as Swindon’s top women’s football team.

They make the step following another strong showing from the England Women’s side in this year’s World Cup, with the Lionesses performance’s inspiring a generation of girls to take up the game, and encouraging new fans to the women’s game.

Swindon Town Women’s first team manager, Dan Jones, said: “This name change represents a huge step for the club as we look to move towards the modern terminology around women’s football. 

"Many clubs are taking this step, and Swindon Town are joining this group as we look to push the women’s game forward, into a brighter, more positive and more inclusive future. 

“I’m proud to be part of this new chapter in the club’s history.”

The club’s first match under its new moniker will come this weekend, as they take on Abingdon United WFC at New College, Swindon.

Club captain Polly New said: “Changing the club’s name from Swindon Town Ladies to Women is a massive step forward for us. As the top division clubs and leagues are all branded as ‘Women’s’, it puts us on the same page." 

Highlighting the example of the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup, in which support and viewership of the England national team reached unprecedented levels, New said the environment was ripe for new engagement with the sport.

She said: “Women’s football has definitely witnessed a turning point in these last few months, with everyone, young to old, getting behind the sport – this means those of us involved in the female sport are finally seeing it get the recognition it deserves. 

“For me the new ‘W’ in our name doesn’t only stand for ‘Women’ – it stands for working together, within a team, winning together, but most of all standing together as a whole squad, to bring everyone in as one.”

Club chairman, Martin Wheeler, said the move was a big step for the club he has been involved in for more than quarter of a century, and which has been central to the growth of women’s football in Swindon.

He said: “With the growth of interest in the sport, and the increased involvement of the Football Association, the game has modernised its image and re-branded itself as women’s football.

“Therefore it is appropriate that as a club we move with the times and take on the name of Swindon Town Women.”