Former Cheltenham Town Women captain Emily Owen announced on Monday that she was leaving the club after four years. After the club shared news of her departure on social media, Owen posted a message saying she had left due to “a lack of an individual's principles and outright failures in processes”, while the club said it takes player welfare and wellbeing matters extremely seriously.
Owen announces departure
During her four years at Cheltenham Town Women, Owen made more than 130 appearances. After the club shared news of her departure on social media, Owen posted a message saying she had left due to “a lack of an individual's principles and outright failures in processes”.
Owen sets out her reasons
Owen said she “wanted to set the record straight” after hearing of rumours circulating around the reasons for her departure. The former captain of Cheltenham Town's women's side said: “One individual in particular has far too much control within this team, turning the environment into a dictatorship where players feel psychologically unsafe.”
Owen also claimed three other players had left the club “on moral grounds as boundaries were crossed, that shouldn't be crossed in women's football”.
Club response
Cheltenham Town Women said it would not comment on individual cases. The club also said it takes all matters relating to the welfare and wellbeing of its players “extremely seriously”.
A spokesperson for Cheltenham Town Women said: “Cheltenham Town Women are committed to ensuring that every player, member of staff and volunteer is treated with respect and feels safe, valued and supported within our environment.”
The spokesperson added: “We will ensure that any concerns brought to our attention are treated appropriately, sensitively and in line with all relevant policies and procedures”
