Wolves Women’s Team Left Heartbroken by Promotion Snub
In a season filled with grit, determination, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, the Wolves women’s team found themselves at the center of a storm of disappointment. The players, who have been battling fiercely all season to secure a spot in the Championship, were left feeling “let down” and “devastated” after discovering that their club had not submitted an application for promotion to the second tier. This revelation came despite the team meeting all the necessary criteria for promotion.
The heartbreak was compounded on Sunday when Wolves lost out on promotion to Nottingham Forest. The players expressed that their hard-fought campaign felt like it was “all for nothing” upon learning that the club had not taken the necessary steps to compete in the Championship, even though they had anticipated a possible promotion.
The news was delivered to the players and staff following their emphatic 6-0 victory over Liverpool Feds on the final day of the season. The team would have secured promotion if other results had aligned in their favor. However, the club’s decision not to apply for the Championship left a bitter taste in the mouths of everyone involved.
Midfielder Beth Merrick took to social media to voice her frustration. In a statement posted on X, she said, “Imagine fighting for promotion all season to find out our Championship bid was never submitted. As a group, we are absolutely devastated to finish the season this way and believe it speaks volumes about the club’s ambitions for the women’s team. Our players, staff, and fans deserve so much better. The staff have put in hours of dedication, for a bid to never be submitted. It’s not about money, it’s about honesty and transparency.”
Defender Lily Simkin, who has experience playing for Birmingham City in both the Women’s Super League and the Championship, echoed Merrick’s sentiments. In a post on X, she expressed, “We took it to the last day to find out it would have all been for nothing anyway. We deserve better.”
ESPN has reached out to Wolves for a comment on the situation, but as of now, there has been no response from the club.
For third-tier clubs, the process of applying for the Championship involves expressing interest in December and submitting a formal bid by February. Wolves had previously submitted an application for the Championship in 2022 but fell short in the playoff final against Southampton. The playoff system was scrapped last season, with the Championship adopting a two-up and two-down format, allowing the winners of the Northern and Southern divisions to earn promotion directly.
- Wolves women’s team feels “let down” and “devastated” after club fails to apply for Championship promotion.
- Despite meeting criteria, Wolves lost out on promotion to Nottingham Forest.
- Players and staff informed after a 6-0 win over Liverpool Feds.
- Midfielder Beth Merrick and defender Lily Simkin express disappointment on social media.
- ESPN has approached Wolves for comment.
- Third-tier clubs needed to express interest in December and submit a bid by February.
- Wolves previously lost in the playoff final to Southampton in 2022.
The Wolves women’s team, their fans, and supporters are left to ponder what could have been. The lack of transparency and ambition from the club has left a significant mark on a season that could have ended in triumph. As the dust settles, the focus will inevitably shift to what the future holds for this talented group of players and whether the club will take the necessary steps to support their ambitions moving forward.
Originally Written by: Emily Keogh
