Academy Manager Hannah Dingley is set to leave FGR to become the Head of Women's and Girls Football at the Football Association of Ireland.

Dingley has spent a successful five years at the club improving all areas of the Academy setup and we thank her for her time and expertise during this spell.

Dingley was appointed Caretaker Head Coach in July 2023 before eventually returning to her role as Academy Manager at the start of the season. At the time Hannah was the first and remains the only woman to have taken charge of a professional men’s team in English Football.

She also remains the only woman to have taken in charge of a men's English Football League Academy.

Dingley’s initiative has constantly pushed the club forward, creating the FGR Girls Academy in 2021, which develops female players - mirroring the men's setup.

We wish Hannah all the best in her new role.

On the move, Dingley said: “I have had a wonderful five years at FGR but it’s now time for me to move onto a new project.

"I’d like to thank Dale and the club for giving me so many opportunities that have helped me grow and develop and for being so supportive of the Academy programme in general.

"There are some great people at the club who I will miss greatly, and with their hard work and dedication I know the Academy will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Chairman Dale Vince added: “At FGR we like to break new ground, not for the sake of it but because it needs doing. Appointing Hannah to lead our Academy and then to lead our first team as interim head coach - are good examples of that.

"Together we broke through the invisible barrier for women who want to coach in the men’s game. And together we’ve built a fantastic Academy which now coaches girls as well as boys. I reckon the FAI have made a good recruitment and we wish them and Hannah all the best in their time together.”

The club has already begun the process to recruit a new Head of Academy, which will be announced in due course.