Girls on Boston United FC’s Regional Talent Club (RTC) teams have been left heartbroken after the club’s funding was withdrawn by the Football Association.
RTC teams are a pathway for young girls (Under 12s, 14s and 16s) wanting to break into professional women’s football. But Boston United has lost its tier 3 RTC license, and the £30,000 of funding per season that comes with the accreditation.
It means that, as the only RTC in Lincolnshire, there is nowhere else for the girls to receive the specialist support and training they were previously getting at Jakemans Stadium in Boston.
The future remains uncertain for the club, which is still in conversations with the FA about alternative programmes.
Photo: Boston United FC
Concerned parent Louise Lawson took to Twitter to express her frustration at the decision:
“Disgusting. Why have the FA pulled funding for girls Regional Talent Clubs in Lincolnshire?” She posted, “‘Creating opportunities for all?’, what a load of rubbish. Try telling that to my daughter.
“I wish she would have done ballet when she was five, then we wouldn’t have the heartbreak that we do now.
“This has happened twice in Lincolnshire. Where do our talented girls go now?
“Is there a future for women in football or is the FA just paying lip service to the idea?”
Photo: Boston United FC
Lincolnshire Reporter contacted The FA and Boston United FC for a statement, but neither would say why the license wasn’t renewed.
An FA spokesperson told Lincolnshire Reporter: “Conversations between The FA and Boston United are ongoing with regards to this matter and therefore we cannot comment further at this stage.”
Boston United community manager Nick Reeson said: “The FA have decided not to renew our Girls Regional Talent Club licence for the forthcoming season, which we are deeply disappointed with.
“However we are in discussions with the FA about a possible alternative programme for the girls and we will still be operating girls teams for the forthcoming season.”
Photo: Boston United FC
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Exciting news for MyLocal app users and The Lincolnite readers! Our latest update is now available to download from your app store and comes packed with the best local news experience you can enjoy.
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