Forest Green appoint Hannah Dingley in landmark transfer
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orest Green Rovers have appointed Hannah Dingley because the membership’s caretaker Head Coach, making her the primary girl to take cost of an English Football League membership.
The Gloucestershire membership appointed Dingley following the departure of Duncan Ferguson.
The 51-year-old Scot was appointed in January however he was unable to maintain them in League One, with Rovers profitable simply six of their 46 video games.
Rovers have now moved to put in Dingley in interim cost, making her the primary girl to steer a males’s skilled senior crew in England.
Forest Green chairman Dale Vince mentioned on the membership web site: “Hannah was the pure selection for us to be first crew interim head coach.
“She’s accomplished a implausible job main our academy and is properly aligned with the values of the membership.
“It’s perhaps telling for the men’s game that in making this appointment on merit, we’ll break new ground – and Hannah will be the first female head coach in English (men’s) football.”
Dingley will proceed preparations for the membership’s opening pre-season fixture towards non-league Melksham Town on Wednesday night time.
“I’m really excited for this next step of my career,” she mentioned. “Pre-season has just begun, and the full season kicks off very soon. It’s an exciting time in football.
“I’m grateful for the chance to step up and lead such a progressive and forward-thinking membership.”
Forest Green have previously demonstrated a desire to steer away from the conventional in their recruitment of head coaches.
In May 2021, Vince told the PA news agency that a female coach working in the Women’s Super League had been a standout candidate to become the club’s new boss until it emerged her CV had been put forward without her knowledge.
Commenting about Ferguson’s departure earlier on Tuesday, Vince said: “It had been a privilege to work with Dunc these previous few months and this was a really tough resolution to make.
“I’m grateful to Dunc for joining us in such difficult circumstances and for all of his hard work at the club.
“But I really feel that is total the fitting resolution for everybody and I want Dunc properly in his subsequent teaching function. We are parting as associates. You can’t ask for far more than that.”
Additional reporting from PA