Lydney Town Ladies set for exciting future ahead of big end to the season
Lydney Town Ladies have four big games left in their 2025/26 season – but they are already looking forward to an exciting step for their future.
Last week the club announced on social media their intention to register a second side within the Gloucestershire County Women’s Football League, as their Lydney Town U18s Lionesses look set to make the step up into adult football as the Lydney Town Ladies Development side.
The Lionesses have featured in the GFA County Cup against adult sides already and after winning the U18s Bristol League Division B title, the club will be looking to provide the young players a clear pathway into the first team and allowing Lydney to have a sustainable first team for many years to come, in similar fashion to the men’s section at the club.
In the post on the club’s Facebook, it says:
“Our aim is to give players from the development squad opportunities to step up into the first team, gaining valuable minutes and experience just like our men’s first team and reserves do following the club’s pathway.
This is a huge step forward for the club, giving players the chance to grow, develop and push on to the next level.”
The club have confirmed that the new Development side have applied to be in Division Four, the current division the First Team sit in – with the likely expectation that the first team will be promoted into Division Three.
Lydney would be a worthy contender for promotion aswell, after finishing 3rd last season, they currently occupy that position again but could finish 2nd if they win their final three league matches.
Outside of this, Lydney also have gone one better in the Sue Henson-Green Cup. After being beaten by Ellwood at the Semi Final stage last season – the ladies now face a tough Bishops Cleeve Ladies Development side in the final next Sunday (17th May).
Before the final, Lydney host Barnwood United Women on Thursday night, before heading to Barnwood on Sunday 24 May – they then conclude their season at home to Mitcheldean, with three league wins securing the 2nd place finish.
Speaking to Severn Sport, Lydney Town Ladies First Team Manager Dave Jenkins has hailed in the exciting development for the club and praised his current squad for helping to build year upon year, progressing on the pitch ahead of a big end to the season.
“It is very exciting times for the club, expanding the Women’s game in the Forest will hopefully invite more players to join, but also give more opportunities to the younger players coming through the youth systems.
This season has been testing at times, but the team have given us everything to compete again. We still have four games left, including a cup final, so we’ll keep fighting until the end.
The Ladies have been incredible in what’s been a short space of time. It’s our third season in and we’ve already accomplished more than expected and to now be in this position looking to have that pathway, it’s a reward for the ladies’ dedication!” Jenkins said.
Lydney Town Ladies host Barnwood United Women on Thursday 7 May, kick off at Sansom Park; 19:30
Cover photo courtesy of Lydney Town Ladies AFC
