'Disgusted' Lionesses and Arsenal star Beth Mead blasts non-league club after vote to pull support for women's and girls' teams

Mead has taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to slam Thornaby FC, who announced over the weekend that a vote amongst the board ended with the complete removal of female teams. It leaves over 100 individuals without a club, as the Under-7s, Under-8s, Under-10s, Under-11s, Under-15s and women's teams have no future.

Thornaby's chairman has actually claimed that the decision is not one that he agrees with but Mead has hit out and has offered to send a signed shirt to the club. It remains to be seen if Thornaby will walk back the decision, especially after a Lionesses star shined a spotlight on their decision.

Mead said: "Disgusted to see this decision, the women’s game is on the up but we still have committees making these horrible decisions. It’s not good enough, these young girls deserve better. I’d love to send the team a signed England shirt to keep them inspired."

She added: "If I can help with anything do reach out, us women need to stick together."

Along with Mead, Olympian Tanni-Grey Thompson sent a message to the non-league club asking if they had discontinued their female teams. Should the pressure continue, one has to think they may be forced into a rethink.