Lancing is a proud village, the largest in the country, and as such we are delighted to continue playing an important part in our local community.

For the fourth consecutive season, the Lancers have been proud to support the development of a Women’s First Team squad as part of the senior set up. Ahead of planning for the 22/23 campaign, we can confirm that a Women’s team will not be registered going forward. This is not a gender related decision it is purely a football and business decision.

As the Women’s season ends, and as the Men’s season nears completion with a couple of important months to go, our committee have already begun planning for success both on and off the pitch for next year.

Our licence at Culver Road, home to Sussex FA, allows for the training and playing of a Lancing Football Club team, our men’s team. Any other team we wish to play has to be negotiated with our landlords who run the facility as a football business. We have always sought for equality with training and playing at Culver a priority, bar & servery open with players food after the games, everything our men’s team have. The ladies season has just been completed so the committee have reviewed our next steps. We have no training facility to offer the ladies at Culver Road next season and yet to be confirmed whether we have matchday availability for them. It would not be acceptable for them to train and play elsewhere and for us to call that equality. Our Women’s squad has run a financial deficit this season also, which has hit us hard as a non-profit organisation still feeling the effects of COVID-19. We are proud to have still been able to offer our Women’s squad completely free registration for the past two seasons as part of our commitment to the game. The committee works hard to ensure that our members are supported through access to our state-of-the-art facility with 3G pitch, kit & equipment, insurance & welfare support, hospitality, administration and registrations.

Our Women’s season ends with the Lancers situated bottom of the division having managed just one draw in their 18 league matches all season with a goal difference of -63. It has been disappointing with managers coming and going although the squad have mainly stayed together. We didn’t fulfil two matches due to lack of player availability which as a club was again very disappointing and costly. Due to pitch availability, finances and playing record the committee has unanimously voted to discontinue the side. Pitch availability alone has cost us our u18 side in the past which we have to accept as being part of playing at Culver Road.

The club would like to place on record our thanks to the Management team who have led the Women’s squad this season and promoted the development of our players. Firstly, to Alison and Kev who commenced the season with us. Secondly, to Harry and Christopher who took over part way through the campaign. Thank you for your efforts.

We are hugely optimistic as to what the coming months and upcoming 22/23 holds for Lancing FC, and we wish our Women’s coaches and players the very best of opportunities elsewhere in Sussex football.

Statement compiled by Media Manager, Jack Taylor.

Any enquiries to Club Secretary, John Rea.