Hill announces shock Gloucester City departure after five years
Chris Hill has announced that he has stepped down as Gloucester City Women First Team Manager after five years at the club.
Hill was brought in by then Chairman Alex Petheram to reform the Women’s side and oversee the Girls section at the club in 2021 and in those five years Hill has seen the rise of both the First Team and now Reserves side through the Gloucestershire County Women’s Football League and into the South West Regional Women’s Football League.
Under Hill’s stewardship, the club has seen the progression of both the adult and junior sections of the club, with a number of players coming through from U16s level and into the First Team, with a number of the players now playing week in week out for the Reserves side in the SWWFL Division One North.
The 2024/25 season was the jewel in the crown in the journey, with the Reserves side finally winning the Division Two title in the GCWFL after being pipped by Longlevens the season before, whilst the First Team lifted the County Cup and secured an unbeaten league campaign to claim the SWWFL Division One North title.
Hill, who was absent from his side’s 3-2 defeat at home to Torquay United on Sunday due to personal reasons, announced the decision on his own personal social media on Monday that he was stepping down from the club and will be looking to get back into football after a break.
The statement says:
With a heavy heart I wish to announce that I am no longer the Women’s First Team manger at Gloucester City.
I joined Gloucester City Women in 2021 and was proud to be appointed the club’s first Women’s team manager since the club returned to Gloucester. From the outset, the aim was to build a proper, sustainable pathway and competitive programme for women’s football at the club.
During my time in charge, the First team achieved two promotions, taking Gloucester City AFC Ladies into Tier 5. We also enjoyed several memorable FA Cup runs sometimes beating higher level opposition and secured a County Cup win as part of an unbeaten league campaign and cup double, which remain highlights for everyone involved or who witnessed it all unfolding.
Coupled with the success of the reserve team now promoted into Tier 6 and the girls youth pathway, that saw a number of U16s make their first team debuts I have been immensely proud of the journey and success. All these achievements were the result of a huge collective effort from players, staff, and volunteers who gave their time and commitment to the programme and bought into the vision.
With the success we have had I have received interest from a number of clubs regarding future roles and once I have had a break, I will look at what, if anything, comes next for me.
I would like to thank the players who believed in me and trusted me, staff, and supporters for their hard work, trust, and support. I wish Gloucester City Women every success for the rest of the season and of course for the future.
It’s been an incredible journey and experience.
Thank you,
Chris.
During his tenure at the club, Hill also held the position of Club Secretary and helped oversee the Men’s matchdays alongside his role with the Womens and Girls section.
Hill was instrumental in the partnership between Gloucester City and the UDA programme, which saw a number of players come over from America to play football for the Tigers whilst completing higher education studies at the University of Gloucestershire – with the UDA Mens side now part of Hellenic League Division Two.
Sunday’s game saw Hill’s Assistant Darren Golding take charge of the First Team alongside Coach Ioan Richards, and with the First Team still having seven league games remaining as well as County Cup and League Cup ties scheduled in the next month or so, it is likely that Golding and Richards will continue to manage the team.
Gloucester City Women are on the road on Sunday, as they head to Poole Town Ladies before a local derby at the New Lawn the following weekend, when they take on Forest Green Rovers.
Cover photo taken and copyright Jamie Brain Photography. Visit his Instagram @jamiebrain_photography
