BARNSLEY FC women’s manager Jess Horsley says the shutting down of the team is ‘heartbreaking’ while most of her anger is directed towards the FA rather than the club.

The Reds say they were informed by the FA that all women’s games would have to be played on the main pitch or another venue, rather than the showcase or astroturf pitch at Oakwell – which would significantly increase costs, so they closed the team down.

The club is forecast to lose up to £10million this summer while others around the country have struggled to support their women’s team.

The Reds women – who were brought officially into the club in 2023 – had enjoyed back to back promotions then finished in mid-table in the fourth tier in the 2024/25 season.

Horsley, who has been coach of her hometown club’s team before and after it was brought into the full Barnsley FC set-up, told the Chronicle: “It is heartbreaking for the players and staff and everyone who has put so much time into it.

“I am gutted.

“I was a little bit angry with the club at first but I am extremely angry with the FA.

“It’s a much bigger picture than just Barnsley.

“Women’s football has gone backwards since England won the Euros.

“Women’s teams can’t get to the higher levels unless they have the big Premier League men’s teams behind them. It’s a flawed system.”

On the FA not allowing games to be played on the pitches at the back of Oakwell, Horsley said: “I think it’s because there are not enough seats under shelter on the showcase pitch and the astroturf pitch isn’t long enough.

“When the under 21 men’s players, who are professional, can play on a pitch that an unpaid women’s tier four team can’t, that utterly baffles and angers me.

“I think it was the best pitch in the league last season.”

Horsley, a lifelong Reds fan, says she can understand the club’s decision to an extent.

“I am not daft.

“I know the priority is the men not the women, because the men bring the revenue in and the women don’t.

“I am not blind to that. I understand football and the way it works.

“From a business point of view, I understand why Barnsley have done what they have done.

“We didn’t get any money from going from tier five to four, like the men would.

“More teams in tier four are starting to pay players. We can’t compete with that.

“On paper, it’s the decision most people would probably make.

“But I am disappointed and angry that the team has just disappeared.

“It’s massively hurt me and the other staff and players, especially the ones who are from Barnsley and support the club.

“Other than a few inklings I had to myself, none of us had any idea.

“I found out at 9.30am on Wednesday morning, and it was made public at 10.

“That was because I wasn’t available for a phone call the night before.

“I am a teacher so I had to wait until I had a free period. I wasn’t in any state to ring the players, but I did tell them to check an email which went out before it was made public. Some of them have probably found out on social media which is a difficult part of it.”

Horsley – who was paid by the club along with most of her staff while the players were not – is hoping to continue coaching after recently finishing her UEFA B licence.

She is trying to focus on the memories the team have made in recent years.

“We have to take the positives which are being the first women’s team to play on Oakwell in front of just under 3,000 fans. To play against the other Barnsley team on the main pitch, and Leeds, and win those games was an unbelievable feeling.

“I was a season ticket holder from being a young kid so it is something I will always remember fondly.

“They will always be my club and I will always be a fan.”