Guest Post – Written By Tom Blewitt

On what could have been one of the greatest nights in Wolves Women’s history, players were instead met with devastation and betrayal — not by their opponents, but by their own club’s leadership. Jeff Shi and Matt Hobbs have once again shown that when it comes to Wolves Women, promises are empty, and ambition is conditional.

Yesterday, Wolves Women stood on the brink of glory. If results had gone their way, it would have seen them crowned champions and secured promotion to the FA Women’s Championship — a huge step forward for the club, the players, and women’s football in the Midlands. But after the final whistle, the players learned an unbelievable truth: Wolves had never even submitted a bid for promotion. Even if they had won the title, they would have been blocked from moving up because the club refused to back them.

According to the Express and Star, Wolves could not commit to the cost of the application amid fears the men’s first team could be relegated — but that rings hollow. In early February, yes, Wolves’ men’s team sat dangerously close to the Premier League relegation zone. But survival was always the expectation, and it was ultimately secured comfortably. Even so, other clubs facing far greater financial uncertainty made the commitment to their women’s teams.

Take Plymouth Argyle, for example. Their men’s team was relegated to League One this season, yet they have still invested more in their women’s side. Meanwhile, clubs like London City, Durham, Portsmouth, Birmingham City, Charlton Athletic, and Ipswich Town continue to support their women’s teams despite not having the financial cushion of Premier League millions. Ipswich Town, whose men’s team has just been relegated to the Championship, still managed to prioritise their women’s programme — and they were rewarded with promotion for Ipswich Town Women this very weekend.

This isn’t about budget constraints. It’s about values. It’s about respect. It’s about commitment. And clearly, those at the top of Wolves — namely Shi and Hobbs — lack it when it comes to their women’s side.

Wolves forward Beth Merrick took to social media shortly after the game, writing:

“Going into today’s final game still in contention of winning the league and having to write this is crazy. Imagine fighting for promotion all season to find out our Championship bid was never submitted.”

“As a group we are absolutely devastated to finish the season this way and believe it speaks volumes about the club’s ambitions for the women’s team. For our staff to have to deliver this news to us moments after is astonishing.”

“Some of us have been part of this club for many years with endless amounts of success, which has grown year on year through all the highs and lows.”

“Our players, staff and fans deserve so much better. The staff have put in hours of dedication for a bid to never be submitted.”

“The gravitas that we have collectively worked hard to create has supported women’s football growth and the movement of ‘if you can see it you can be it’ throughout Wolverhampton.”

“It’s not about the money, it’s about the honesty and transparency — ironically not very apparent with the club’s OnePack campaign.”

The anger and heartbreak spread quickly across the fanbase and former players. Wolves media officer, Gemma Frith, added:

“I stand with the girls and fully support their stance on this decision. As the women’s game has grown, Wolves have proudly been at the forefront of progress, both on and off the pitch — until now. This is a complete step backwards. I truly hope the club will listen and reflect.”

Former Wolves Women player Abby Pope also didn’t hold back:

“As a Wolves fan and former player this is disgraceful. So many people over so many years have worked to put the club into the position it is now and they deserve the chance to see it at the highest level. That being said, I’m not surprised by the ownership. Fosun out!”

Frustration boiled over among the supporters too. Wolves fan Mattie James pointed out the hypocrisy:

“Didn’t stop us applying in 2023 when the men were in an identical position. Terrible excuse when there are women’s championship clubs like Portsmouth, Birmingham, Durham etc. who back their teams despite not having Premier League money. Needs to be pressure on to do a U-turn for next season.”

The Wolves Women Podcast also highlighted the sheer scale of the club’s failure to invest:

“There are teams like Rugby who are non-league and are investing more currently than Wolves. Blues are League 1 & Women’s Championship and investing more than Wolves. We are talking about £2m investment all outside of PSR.”

And Wolves fan Jess Deakin summed up the emotion best:

“Devastating. The achievements over recent years have been nothing short of tremendous but, yet again our growth is being held back by the lack of ambition of those at the very top. Every single player, staff member and volunteer part of this team deserves far more.”

This wasn’t an “administrative oversight.” It wasn’t a “difficult decision.” It was deliberate negligence. It was a conscious decision to sideline Wolves Women, to treat them as second-class citizens within their own club. It reeks of misogyny, favouritism toward the men’s team at all costs, and an unforgivable disregard for the progress of women’s football.

How did Jeff Shi and Matt Hobbs think this would end? The trust between Wolves Women players, staff, and the board has been obliterated. The future of Wolves Women is now dangerously uncertain. A mass exodus of players and coaches feels inevitable — and who could blame them for seeking a club that will treat them with the respect and ambition they deserve?

The betrayal of Wolves Women is a stain on the club’s reputation. If Wolves want to pretend to be a “OnePack” organisation, they must start acting like one. Right now, they have proven the exact opposite.

Wolves, players, staff and fans deserved better. Wolves Women deserved better.