Plymouth Argyle Women slam club as players released

Players from Plymouth Argyle Women have criticised the club after their budget was cut and most of the squad told they would not get new contracts.

The Pilgrims have just had the most successful season in their history, finishing second in the FA Women's National League (FANWL) Southern Premier Division - the third tier of English women's football.

Last month, they were beaten 1-0 by Wolverhampton Wanderers in a play-off to gain promotion to Women's Super League 2 and they were also beaten 1-0 by AFC Bournemouth in the final of the FANWL Cup.

Last week, the team's coach Marie Hourihan resigned a year after taking over at the side.

"Throughout the season, we were told that the club had ambition, that it was building towards becoming a full-time professional outfit and that women's football was important to the football club. That is why the events of recent weeks have been so difficult to understand," a statement released on social media by the players said.

"Following a decision from the board to significantly reduce the team's budget and the understandable resignation of our manager, nearly all players have been informed via an email from the club that they will be released at the end of our contracts next month.

"This decision was communicated through a cold, impersonal email, providing us with no opportunity for open, honest or meaningful dialogue and preventing us from gaining clarity on the situation."

The BBC has approached Plymouth Argyle for a comment.

The League One men's club announced it was taking control of Plymouth Argyle Women in October 2023 - the women's team had previously been under the auspices of the Argyle Community Trust.

Their first season under club control was the 2024-25 campaign in which they finished 10th in the third tier before narrowly missing out on promotion this season.

Argyle's men's team were relegated from the Championship in May 2025, with financial records showing the club's owner Simon Hallett lent Plymouth £9.8m to cover losses following their demotion to League One.

Relegation from the Championship has seen Argyle bring between £8m and £9m less in television broadcast revenues this season compared to 2024-25.

The club is also investing in a new training base at Foulston Park which will become the home of the women's team.

"Every football club must make difficult decisions, and we appreciate that," the players said.

"However, we are disappointed with how this situation has been handled and with the manner in which decisions have been made and communicated to us.

"We feel that the staff and players who have given everything for the badge this season should have been treated with greater care, respect and empathy.

"While we are hurt, this is about more than just our squad. It is about the negative message being sent to women and girls across Plymouth, our wider fanbase, the South West and the broader football community who have looked up to this team as proof that the women's game is valued, supported and growing."

The statement added: "We hope that one day women and girls can once again look to Plymouth Argyle as a club that advocates for the women's game, drives progress and creates a clear pathway for football to grow in our region.

"We have loved the opportunity to represent this club and to work alongside such hard-working and passionate staff and volunteers. We will always look back on this season with immense pride for what we achieved together and we are devastated to see it end in this way."