HANNAH Dingley has been appointed the first woman to take charge of a men’s team in English professional football.
From her work experience at Swansea City to being named the interim manager by Forest Green Rovers – here’s everything you need to know.
Hannah Dingley, born July 19, 1983, is a Welsh football coach.
She is currently the caretaker manager of the Gloucestershire club, Forest Green Rovers.
Dingley grew up in the South Wales village of Llansteffan and started playing football with her older brother and other boys from the age of five — also playing in school teams.
However, at the age of 11, Dingley had to give up playing because girls were prohibited from being in boys’ teams and there were no girls’ sides in her local area under the age of 16.
”Girls played hockey and netball and boys football and rugby. That’s the way it was — but I still loved the game and went to watch the boys, although I wasn’t allowed to join in,” Dingley explained.
The only way she was able to get back into the sport was by taking on work experience at Swansea City – and it was there she decided to pursue a career in football.
Dingley resumed playing at the age of 16 for Carmarthen Town, before going on to do a BTEC in Football Studies – where she was the only girl on her college course in Llanelli.
She then went on to earn a degree in PE and sports sciences at Loughborough University, as well obtaining a number of coaching badges.
Dingley, who holds a UEFA Pro Licence, also coached both men’s, women’s and boys’ and girls’ teams.
Forest Green Rovers made history in July 2023 by appointing Hannah Dingley as the first woman to lead a men’s team in English professional football.
Dingley has been placed in charge of the League Two club in an interim position following the departure of Duncan Ferguson.
Duncan spent six months in charge of the Gloucestershire club, during which time he failed to keep them in League One.
It is understood that Dingley will continue in the role during the search for Ferguson‘s replacement.
Speaking about her new role, Dingley said: ”I’m really excited for this next step of my career. Pre-season has just begun and the full season kicks off very soon. It’s an exciting time in football.
”I am grateful for the opportunity to step up and to lead such a progressive and forward-thinking club.”
Asked if she wants the job full-time, she said: “I haven’t even taken a training session yet so just want to focus on getting the players prepared for the new season before thinking about anything else.”
Prior to making history at Forrest Green Rovers, Dingley worked as a course leader at Loughborough College in Sport & Exercise Science, whilst also working as an academy coach at Notts County and Lincoln Ladies in 2011.
She has also previously been a first-team coach at Hinckley, assistant-manager of Gresley and head of coaching at Burton.
Then in 2019, Forest Green owner Dale Vince made her the first woman to run a professional club’s academy.
At the time of writing it is not known whether Hannah Dingley is married or has children.
It appears the Rovers caretaker-boss prefers to keep her private life out of the spotlight.
