The former captain of Cheltenham Town’s women’s team has accused an individual of turning the club into a dictatorship that leaves players feeling psychologically unsafe.
Departure After Four Years
Emily Owen announced her departure from the Women’s National League Southern Premier side on Monday following a four-year stint in which she made over 130 appearances. After the club shared the announcement on social media, the defender released her own statement explaining that she left because of a lack of personal principles and clear failures in procedures.
Owen stated she wanted to set the record straight after hearing rumors circulating regarding the reasons behind her exit. She claimed that a specific individual held excessive control within the team, creating an environment where players experienced psychological unsafety.
Club and Player Allegations
Furthermore, Owen alleged that three other players also walked away from the club on moral grounds after crossing boundaries that should not be crossed in women’s football.
In response, a spokesperson for Cheltenham Town Women stated that the organization chose not to comment on individual cases but emphasized that it takes all matters concerning player welfare and wellbeing extremely seriously. The representative added that the club remains committed to ensuring every player, staff member, and volunteer receives respect and feels safe, valued, and supported, assuring that any reported concerns receive appropriate and sensitive handling in line with relevant policies and procedures.
