Forest Green Rovers have appointed Hannah Dingley as its new Academy Manager who becomes the first woman to run an academy in English men's football. 

In a new era for the club – Hannah is tasked with building on the momentum of its fledgling category 3 academy, developing new first-team talent for the club, and will also spearhead the creation of a new women’s academy too – mirroring the men’s setup at the Gloucestershire league two club.

With considerable footballing experience, Hannah has been with Burton Albion since 2013, and became the league one club’s Head of Academy Coaching in 2016.

Hannah has also had successful stints at Nottingham Forest Ladies, Leicester City Women and Lincoln Ladies.

She will work closely with Mark Cooper and the first-team set up at Forest Green Rovers.

on joining, she said: “I’m really excited to get started – it’s the perfect blank canvas. We have a first team manager who really wants young players in his squad and plays the game with a distinctive style. We have some great talent in the academy and my focus will be on doing everything we can do give them the best chance at first team football.

“I was aware of FGR before I came to meet the chairman, but it was the fact their stadium is on a road called ‘Another Way’ that got me thinking. Football typically does the same thing repeatedly and waits for results to change without making changes. It feels like I’ve got a chance to innovate here and do things differently.”

Dale Vince, chairman, Forest Green Rovers, added: “Hannah is a great addition to the team at FGR, she has the experience, passion and skill to really drive our academy onward, giving our young players their best shot at first-team football. There’s a good cultural fit too, we share an interest in innovation, in looking to improve and do things differently, and a fearless approach when it comes to breaking the mould. That’s very FGR"