Portsmouth Women enter exciting new period as club statement made
Portsmouth are continuing to develop in multiple areas of the club this year, as its women’s team officially becomes fully professional.
As announced on the Portsmouth FC official website [1 June], Jay Sadler’s National League southern champions of 2023-24 will be offered professional contracts ahead of next season in the Women’s Championship.
The huge step comes just a year after the club announced a semi-professional model for the women’s team, illustrating the success of owners Tornante’s investment into numerous areas of Pompey.
CEO Andrew Cullen told the club site: “After winning promotion to the Championship and having our licence granted by the FA, we are now absolutely thrilled to announce that Pompey Women will become fully professional.
“This is an exciting time for women’s football in Portsmouth and across the United Kingdom, and I am grateful to Jane and Michael Eisner, and the Portsmouth Women board, for their increased investment in our women’s team.
“This will have a huge impact on our competitiveness in a higher division, as well as enabling our players to achieve their dreams of becoming professional footballers for the first time in their lives.”
Portsmouth Women’s past year has been phenomenal
It has been a truly incredible last 12 months at Portsmouth, and not just for the achievements of the men’s team; the rapid rise of the women’s side of the club has been nothing short of sublime.
From turning semi-pro last summer following a cash injection from the Eisners, to storming the third tier with a 20-win title triumph, and now to becoming full-time before many would have envisaged – the club, Sadler and the team deserve immense credit.
The increasing demands and upward trajectory of the women’s game in England means the Championship – which Pompey will compete in for the first time next term – is now almost exclusively made up of full-time outfits.
The club have acted early to ensure the Blues are equipped to give the division a real go in 2024-25, and are in the process of a major squad rebuild after releasing 10 senior players.
Portsmouth will be hoping supporters can restore some of that investment by purchasing season tickets at Westleigh Park, which the club launched on sale on 22 May.
In other Portsmouth news, captain Marlon Pack has reportedly agreed a crucial contract extension at Fratton Park.
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