'Survival is no longer the ambition' - Rotherham United Women saved from oblivion and given a goal to reach the Super League
ROTHERHAM United have been saved from extinction by two local businessmen – and set a new goal to reach the Women’s Super League in the 2030s.
As reported by the Advertiser last week, the Millers were on the brink of going to the wall due to the escalating costs accelerated by the prospect of being moved into the more far flung North East Regional League next season.
Not wanting to see a club with roots dating back nearly 60 years go under, Phil Smith and Scott Thorpe have stepped in with a plan to make it thrive rather than just survive.
Mr Smith said: “Rotherham United Women was close to being lost and that simply could not be allowed to happen.
“The club has history, heart and people who have fought to keep it alive. Scott and I both felt that if we were in a position to step forward. We had a responsibility to do so.”
Mr Thorpe added: “Phil and I are both Rotherham lads. We have both built our careers in financial services, and we both believe business success should mean more than balance sheets and boardrooms.
“This is a proper white-knight moment for a club that was close to extinction. Now it has local ownership, structure, ambition and a plan to rise.”
The immediate target of the new regime is back-to-back promotions alongside a five-year objective to challenge towards the Women’s Super League by 2031.
The new owners say it will be driven by “professional governance, community impact, commercial growth and elite-level readiness”.
They added: “The message is clear: survival is no longer the ambition. Survival was the starting point."
The two bring plenty of nous to the operation from their successes in business.
Mr Thorpe is founder and CEO of TMG Mortgage Network, a Rotherham-based mortgage and protection network. Mr Smith is well-known in local football circles recently for his work as an independent non-executive director at Rotherham United. His latest business role is as non-executive chair of Fintel plc, a retail financial services technology and support group.
The pair thanked players, coaches, volunteers, families and supporters who have kept Rotherham United Women FC going through difficult periods including Val Hoyle, who spent 57 years connected to the club before stepping down at the end of the season.
Planning for the 2026/27 season and beyond is now underway.
Francesca Ross, who spoke about the club’s dire state last week, has been confirmed as chairwoman.
Details around its football structure, commercial partnerships, sponsorship opportunities, matchday plans and community programme will be revealed shortly.
A statement announcing the new beginning added: “For Rotherham United Women the story has changed – from uncertainty to investment, from survival to ambition, from almost being lost to building towards back-to-back promotions and a five-year WSL plan.”