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Iron Acton to launch women’s team  

Iron Acton, one of the oldest football clubs in Gloucestershire, will be taking their first steps into the women’s game from the start of

next season.

Based just north of Bristol, the club has made the following statement on its website:

“Iron Acton FC are delighted to announce that for the first time in our 130 year history we will be launching a Women’s side for the 2025/26 season.

As one of the oldest football clubs in the Country we are proud of our rich history with the names of Gale and Taylor synonymous with Acton but now is the opportunity to for our Women’s side to add their own chapter to the Acton history books.

Like the Women’s game, our club has seen fantastic growth over the past few years and we are excited and proud to be adding a Women’s side to our ever growing rank of sides which undermines our commitment to provide playing opportunities for all and we cannot wait to watch this new exciting chapter come to life.

As part of this move, we knew it was important to appoint a Manager who knows the Women’s game well and who can demonstrate a track record of developing players and achieving successes both on and off the pitch. After discussions internally it was decided that Men’s first team Assistant Manager James Eveleigh will move across to take charge of our new Women’s side.

James boasts 12 years experience in the female game having coached girls at youth football before progressing into the Senior game as Manager of Tytherington Rocks Ladies and more recently SGS Olveston United Women. During his time in the female game, James boasts an impressive 57% win ratio from over 250 games in charge that saw him achieve 3 promotions in 4 seasons and a league title at SGS Olveston United.

James also has extensive experience in developing a female pathway across all phases as well as developing positive partnerships with sponsors and other organisations and is the ideal candidate to lead our new venture forward.

On today’s announcement, Club treasurer and Committee Member Chris Sweet said: “I really am delighted that we are ready to make our Women’s team a reality. Women belong in sport, they belong in football and they belong at Iron Acton. The next few months will be very exciting for us as we begin to plan open sessions for prospective players, begin to look at league applications and work closely with James to ensure he has everything he needs to thrive in his new role.

“As a father to a young daughter myself I want her to be able to attend our Women’s games and be inspired to put on a pair of boots and have the same opportunities that I did growing up.”

Newly appointed Women’s First team manager James Eveleigh confirmed he was delighted to be back at the helm of a women’s side, saying: “I am absolutely buzzing to have been entrusted with building and developing this new side and to be back in the Women’s game. After leaving SGS Olveston United Women I took a small hiatus before being offered a position with the Men’s First team here at Iron Acton which I jumped at but I have made no secret of my desire to return to the helm as a Manager somewhere and when Chris asked me to take charge of this new Women’s side I had no hesitation in jumping at the chance.”

The newly formed team plan to join the Gloucestershire County Womens League with the season kicking off in September.

Keep your eyes peeled on our socials over the coming weeks for more information on how you can be part of this exciting new chapter both as a player and a supporter.

Up the Acton!”