SOLIHULL Moors Women’s players have released a public statement accusing the club of showing ‘neglect’ and a ‘lack of respect’ for the women’s side.
Moors player Alex Liddiard posted a statement from the club’s playing staff on X last night which also accused the club of failing to provide ‘basic equipment’ and ‘no transportation to away matches’.
Moors Women play in the Division One Midlands of the Women’s National League and the players also say the club’s failure to secure a pitch meant they had to forfeit an FAWNL Cup game against West Bromwich Albion Women last month.
The statement reads: “Despite countless emails and meetings with the club, our voices have gone unheard; leaving us no choice but to address the situation publicly about the way our own football club has treated us.
“We have endured conditions that no team, at any level, should be expected to tolerate – ill-fitting kits, a lack of basic equipment, no provision of transportation for games hours away, and most concerning, no guaranteed pitch to play midweek fixtures on.
“We were forced to forfeit a cup game due to the club’s failure to secure a pitch. This not only resulted in a significant fine but also saw us removed from both the League Cup and the League Plate competitions.
“With two months’ notice of our upcoming league fixture against Worcester City Women, we find ourselves in the same position. Once again, the club have informed us that there is currently no pitch available. If we are forced to forfeit again, we face a potential points deduction and another fine – consequences beyond our control. Shockingly, our own club wanted to charge us £2600 to allow us access to the men’s pitch.
“We cannot help but ask – would the men’s team ever be placed in this position?
“There is a lack of social media exposure and integration within the club. At neither the Armco Arena or Studley [training facility] is there any indication to visitors that Solihull Moors has a women’s team. This lack of visibility further reinforces the feeling of being overlooked and undervalued.
“As players, we dedicate ourselves to this club week after week. In return, we ask only for the basic necessities required to play football, especially to compete at tier 4. It’s time we speak out against the neglect, broken promises and the lack of respect we have faced from our own club. We deserve better.
“We deserve respect, support, and the opportunity to play the game we love under fair conditions. Women’s football has made great strides, but our experiences show there is still much work to be done.”
Manager Tom Blaymires also released a statement on behalf of the women’s coaching staff.
The staff want the club to show the players the ‘respect they deserve’ and insist they ‘stand together both on and off the pitch’.
The coaching staff also said Moors Women are ‘hitting the same barriers the women’s game did over 20 years ago’.
Solihull Moors have confirmed the club will provide a response to the matter later today.
A Solihull Moors spokesperson said: “The Club are currently reviewing the statement and will be making a comment today.”
