‘Sign these players, employ these staff’ – That is the message from Coventry United manager Jay Bradford five days after the club announced their intention to file for voluntary liquidation.
On the 23 December, the board of directors dropped the bombshell which has left many heartbroken and jobless and has sent shockwaves through the FA Women’s Championship and beyond.
Five days on from the announcement, Coventry United manager Bradford has taken to Twitter to release an emotional statement. She has confirmed that the total number of redundancies at the Warwickshire club is made up of 24 players and 15 members of staff whilst also insisting that Coventry United would have won a greater number of games had the team been given the time to do so.
Bradford has also appealed to the wider football community, urging them to sign those players and staff made redundant by Coventry United at the time of their decision to file for voluntary liquidation. In an emotional plea, she said “To the wider football world, sign these players, employ these staff. Help them heal, so that they can continue to make the footballing world a place we all want to be.”
I joined as a girl, I leave as a woman 🔴🟢 pic.twitter.com/2jl0h8QLQ5
— Jay Bradford (@JayBradford91) December 27, 2021
Bradford has been part of the woodwork at Coventry United for 17 years, guiding the club up the footballing pyramid into elite football in the FA Women’s Championship. During their time in the second tier, Coventry United twice avoided relegation and won the hearts of many with their dedication to playing exciting attacking football. Results did not always flow but The Red and Greens were a pleasure to watch and always had a wonderful goal in their locker.
The Football Association are yet to release a statement on the situation, however, the club’s record in this season’s FA Women’s Championship is expected to be expunged.
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