Former Cheltenham captain alleges club was turned into 'dictatorship'

On Monday, Emily Owen, the former captain and defender of Cheltenham Town Women, announced she was leaving the Women's National League Southern Premier side and accused "an individual" of turning the club into "a dictatorship where players feel psychologically unsafe".

Owen spent four years with Cheltenham, making more than 130 appearances. The club posted news of her departure on social media, after which the defender said she had left because of "a lack of an individual's principles and outright failures in processes" and that she "wanted to set the record straight" amid rumours about her exit.

Owen said: "One individual in particular has far too much control within this team, turning the environment into a dictatorship where players feel psychologically unsafe."

She also said three other players had left the club "on moral grounds as boundaries were crossed, that shouldn't be crossed in women's football".

A Cheltenham Town Women spokesperson said while it would not comment on individual cases, it takes all matters relating to the welfare and wellbeing of its players "extremely seriously".

"Cheltenham Town Women are committed to ensuring that every player, member of staff and volunteer is treated with respect and feels safe, valued and supported within our environment. "We will ensure that any concerns brought to our attention are treated appropriately, sensitively and in line with all relevant policies and procedures".