Rams Revolution

Club secretary Sheila Rollinson describes how Derby County Ladies responded to a failed WSL bid and the departure of long-standing chairman Raffaele Long on the eve of the 2013/14 season. Rather than muddling through, the club chose to take stock and change direction, appointing a commercially focused general manager in place of a chairman. Duncan Gibb, now chief executive, identified five requirements: financial stability, solid infrastructure, significant profile, a strong relationship with the men’s club, good facilities and a competitive team. Eleven months on the club has 27 club partners and a main sponsor, with income up twentyfold, and has added a director of football in John Griffiths plus a fitness coach, sports scientist and match-day analyst. Manager Jenny Sugarman is aiming, in the medium term, at promotion to the WSL.