Hannah Dingley; from the first female academy coach to the first female manager of a men’s professional team

Having sacked manager Duncan Ferguson earlier this year and being relegated to the EFL League Two, the fourth tier of the English Football Pyramid, you’d think it would be doom and gloom over at Forest Green Rovers. 

However, the appointment of a new caretaker manager, who has moved through the ranks from academy coach to now first team coach, is something everyone has been celebrating today.

Hannah Dingley, who cut her teeth as an academy coach at both Burton Albion and then Forest Green Rovers, has been appointed to their caretaker position and in doing so, has become the first woman to coach a professional men’s football team in the English football pyramid. 

"She's done a fantastic job leading our academy and is well aligned with the values of the club,” Forest Green chairman Dale Vince said on the club website. "It's perhaps telling for the men's game that in making this appointment on merit, we'll break new ground - and Hannah will be the first female head coach in English [men's] football. Hannah was the natural choice for us to be first-team interim head coach."

Dingley’s first game actually takes place this evening, as Forest Green Rovers play a pre-season friendly against Melksham Town away, with many eyes - including those that have only just discovered Forest Green Rovers - looking with anticipation what she may bring should she evolve from caretaker to full time first team coach.

Who is Hannah Dingley?

Born in Carmarthen, Wales on July 19 1983, football was a major part of Hanna’s life growing up in the small South Wales village. Despite not being able to play the sport at secondary school, Dingley discovered her passion for coaching and embarked on a journey to make her mark in the field.

Dingley's path led her to the University of Loughborough, where she studied Sports Science; alongside her studies, she actively pursued coaching opportunities, working with various teams, including university, non-league, women's, and kids' teams. She eagerly sought experience and obtained coaching qualifications along the way. Her first dalliance with the English Football pyramid came in 2013, when Dingley joined Burton Albion as an academy coach and between 2016 and 2019 worked as a coach for their senior men's team

After three years of coaching at Burton Albion, a full-time opportunity arose at Forest Green Rovers, a EFL League Two side known for its unique, progressive approach to football; the club made history as the world's first vegan football club and embraced eco-friendly initiatives in their stadium. Dingley was enticed by the chance to become the first woman to manage a club academy in English men's football.

Embracing the challenge, Dingley found herself in an exciting environment where she could shape and mould the academy according to her vision. Forest Green Rovers' commitment to doing things differently provided her with the freedom and support to be creative and think outside the box.

However, being a female coach in a predominantly male-dominated industry hasn't been without its obstacles. In an interview with Give Me Sports in 2021, Dingley discussed how she encountered external barriers, such as being mistaken for a physio or facing preconceived notions about what an academy manager or football coach should look like. 

Dingley believes that increasing the visibility of female coaches is crucial in inspiring the next generation. Seeing successful women like Emma Hayes, the highly accomplished manager of WSL Chelsea Women's team, on television can have a profound impact on aspiring coaches. Dingley has previously praised Hayes for standing up for women's football and hopes that a female manager will soon make her mark in professional men's football. 

She also highlighted in the same interview about the significance of Sports Direct's support for Forest Green Rovers' women's team through their Equal Play initiative. The exclusive sponsorship of the women's team demonstrates the value and recognition of women's football, providing support and resources to help the team develop and thrive.