Nottingham Forest women’s team move to full-time football

LONG EATON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Carly Davies, Manager of Nottingham Forest, arrives at the stadium prior to the Adobe Women's FA Cup Fifth Round match between Nottingham Forest and Everton at Grange Park on February 11, 2024 in Long Eaton, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Jul 9, 2024

Nottingham Forest have announced plans for their women’s side to go full-time professional for the 2025-26 season.

Forest Women currently play in the regionalised National League North, the third tier of women’s football in England.

Forest say the full-time model “aims to target the Championship and then WSL (Women’s Super League)” for the team. The club adds that there will be “major investment in medical, training facilities and support services”.

As Forest transition to being fully professional, the club say they will have 18 full-time players on their books next season “with a small number of part-time players”.

Next season, Forest will play 11 home games at the 30,000-seater City Ground, having played their first-ever league game at the stadium in October 2021. Their regular home has been the 1,500-capacity Grange Park, which they share with non-League Long Eaton United.

Last term, Forest finished third in the National League North, 12 points behind first-placed Newcastle United. To win promotion to the Championship, teams must finish first in the division.

(Nathan Stirk – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

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Charlotte Harpur is a football writer, specialising in women's football for The Athletic UK. She has been nominated for women's sport journalist of the year and previously worked on the news desk. Prior to joining, Charlotte was a teacher. Follow Charlotte on Twitter @charlotteharpur