Trailblazer Hannah Dingley Makes History in Professional Football

Former Loughborough College course leader Hannah Dingley has continued to blaze new trails in the world of professional football, breaking down further barriers after being named the first and, to date, only female caretaker manager in charge of a men’s English Football League club.

The Gloucestershire-based club Forest Green Rovers appointed Hannah following her triumphant four-year tenure as the club’s Academy manager, where she became the first, and so far only, woman to coach a men’s academy team in England.

An alumna of Loughborough University, Hannah’s astonishing career kicked off at Loughborough College, where she held the position of Course Leader for HND Sport and Exercise Science for nearly four years. As course leader, Hannah oversaw the blossoming careers of numerous elite athlete alumni and supported the successes of sportspeople including Commonwealth Games gold medallist Richard Kilty, and 2016 Olympic high jumper, Chris Baker.

Hannah’s College colleague and former professional footballer Steve Wilkinson shared, “Hannah’s well-deserved appointment as caretaker head coach at Forest Green Rovers is an excellent decision. She is a barrier-breaking and talented coach, and this is a huge step in the right direction for equality in professional sport.”

A champion of women in sport, Hannah has been vocal about her continued support of diversity in football. During her time in Loughborough, Hannah coached the celebrated grassroots football team, Leicester Nirvana FC, and later initiated the Forest Green Rovers’ girl’s academy in 2021. Speaking to BBC Points West in March, Hannah said, “You’ve got a responsibility as the first to open the doors for others and to encourage others.

“The fact that I do this, I hope it encourages more females to come into coaching, into football, into different roles. I feel a great responsibility to talk about that.”

Hannah’s first match as caretaker manager will be a friendly at Wiltshire-based Melksham Town FC.

We’re all rooting for you, Hannah, and congratulations on this victorious appointment!