Nearly all Plymouth Argyle Women players to be released, says squad
The squad said the news was broken to them in an email
Last updated 1st Jun 2026
Plymouth Argyle Women's squad said they were told they would nearly all be released from their contracts at the end of this month - in an email.
The squad released a joint statement, saying that they understand "every football club must make difficult decisions" but that they disagreed with how the situation had been handled and the news had been communicated to them.
This news came in stark contrast to The Pilgrims' season, which has been the most successful in their club history.
The statement reads: "We achieved our highest-ever league finish, ending the season in second place.
"We also reached both the FAWNL Cup Final and the WSL2 Play-Off Final, won the County Cup, achieved record attendances, earned national recognition through individual and club accolades and nominations and, perhaps most importantly, helped inspire the next generation of women and girls across our region."
The statement continued: " To be publicly recognised by the FAWNL for helping grow the women's game, while privately seeing the squad dismantled and our support cut, feels contradictory and deeply frustrating."
A petition entitled "They gave everything for the badge. Argyle gave them an email. Save PAWFC" has also been posted on the website Change.org, and attracted more than 260 signatures so far.
The club has been approached for comment.
The rest of the statement in full
"Throughout the season, we were told that the club had ambition, that it was building towards becoming a full-time professional outfit, and that women's football was important to the football club.
"That is why the events of recent weeks have been so difficult to understand.
"Following a decision from the board to significantly reduce the team's budget, and the understandable resignation of our manager, nearly all players have been informed via an email from the club that they will be released at the end of our contracts next month.
"This decision was communicated through a cold, impersonal email, providing us with no opportunity for open, honest, or meaningful dialogue and preventing us from gaining clarity on the situation.
"Every football club must make difficult decisions, and we appreciate that. However, we are disappointed with how this situation has been handled, and with the manner in which decisions have been made and communicated to us."
"We feel that the staff and players who have given everything for the badge this season should have been treated with greater care, respect and empathy.
"While we are hurt, this is about more than just our squad. It is about the negative message being sent to women and girls across Plymouth, our wider fanbase, the South West and the broader football community, who have looked up to this team as proof that the women's game is valued, supported, and growing.
"Our message is also about protecting players and staff who dedicate so much to pursuing full-time opportunities in women's football, only to see these opportunities removed so suddenly.
"We hope that one day women and girls can once again look to Plymouth Argyle as a club that advocates for the women's game, drives progress and creates a clear pathway for football to grow in our region.
"Finally, we would like to thank everyone who has supported us. To our fans, who stood loud and proud through every win, loss and draw, thank you. We have loved the opportunity to represent this club and to work alongside such hardworking and passionate staff and volunteers.
"We will always look back on this season with immense pride for what we achieved together and we are devastated to see it end in this way."