Argyle Women to focus on local players after cuts

Plymouth Argyle Women were one game away from promotion to Women's Super League Two last season [Getty Images] Plymouth Argyle say they will give more opportunities to local players after announcing a new strategy for their women's team. The club were criticised by their players after cutting the budget and releasing much of the squad. The Pilgrims finished second in the third-tier FA Women's National League Southern Premier Division and only missed out on promotion to the second tier after losing a play-off to Wolverhampton Wanderers. "Our revised approach is designed around two key aspects," a club statement read. "One is to ensure that we grow our team and structure sustainably, in line with the current trajectory of the women's game. "The second is to give more opportunities to local players and staff, with a view to longer-term development. "We have many excellent young players in our player pathway, and are excited to give them the opportunities to develop, and shine. "We intend to recruit smartly to augment what we have, and to give ourselves a chance to be competitive." Plymouth Argyle Women slam club as players released Plymouth Argyle to take over club's women's side National League clubs urge FA to end proposals The Pilgrims - whose men's team play in League One - announced they were taking control of the women's team in October 2023. Last month, their manager Marie Hourihan resigned and players were informed by an email from chief executive Paul Berne that they were being released. "We accept that the way we handled breaking the news to the players was poor, and for that we apologise," Argyle's statement added. But the club says with possible changes to the women's game in England - coupled with financial records showing the club's owner Simon Hallett lent Plymouth £9.8m to cover losses following their relegation to League One last year - they have had to alter their approach. "We, among many clubs, have expressed our concern at the proposals to bring Professional Game Academy (PGA) teams into the third tier," the statement added. "This would mean some of the country's leading teams playing lower-age teams, or 'B' teams, in the third tier, which would, in our opinion, be stifling for talent, and would work against clubs developing talent. "These changes may also have an effect on finances for clubs, especially from the third tier downwards, where financial support from authorities is negligible." Green named new women's head coach Meanwhile, the club has announced that Matt Green will take over as the club's new head coach. Green was Hourihan's assistant last season and has been in charge of overseeing the pathway for players moving into the squad. Jon Dawe will be his assistant while they will also be supported by director of football Derek Adams. "I have been involved with the Argyle Women's team for many years, and it is an honour to be given the chance to take charge of the team," Green told the club website. "I know how many really talented young players we have, and it is exciting to be the one that will get to nurture them into the first team and to develop their abilities further."