Manchester United have named Polly Bancroft as their first-ever head of women’s football - but who is she?
Last December, United began their search to appoint a head of women’s football to develop the club to compete at the top of the WSL. Bancroft has been deemed the perfect fit for the role; her experience in the women’s side of the game spans back to 2008 when she spent three years as a women’s and girl's football development officer at the West Riding FA and Birmingham County FA.
Having worked in football ever since, her CV is one to be in awe of. Her roles include Leeds' Women's U-17 Head Coach, FA Women’s project manager and Director of Nottingham Forest, while she has also worked at UEFA’s business development office providing business-specific support to European federations for women’s football.
Most recently, she held the position of general manager for Brighton and Hove Albion football club, overseeing the £8.5 million state-of-the-art training facility that has been built to take Albion to the next level in the WSL.
Along with being a UEFA B Licensed coach, she holds a degree-level Diploma in Football Leadership and Management alongside FA qualifications in Talent Identification. Bancroft has a well-rounded understanding of the women’s game, the business and what it takes to compete with the best.
Now she has joined one of the biggest clubs in world football - and it is quite evidently a proud moment. Bancroft said: “I am delighted to be joining Manchester United at such an important moment for the women’s team in this exciting era of women’s football.
"This is the biggest club in the country, and I am excited to contribute to the success of the club along with John Murtough and Marc Skinner to create something special in the years to come.”
She will work closely with Marc Skinner to ensure the squad have the support they need to compete at the highest level both at home and abroad. They are currently level on points with Arsenal and Chelsea, but sit due to their superior goal difference.
A key role for her is to ensure the women's side meets strategic aims and objectives, while she will also be responsible for implementing a playing style across all women's teams.
Skinner has alluded that the club's focus is on qualifying for Champions League football next year and United believe Bancroft will be an important missing piece of the puzzle.
Speaking after the appointment, United football director John Murtough said: “We are delighted to have someone of Polly’s experience and expertise join the club at this exciting moment for the women’s team.
“Under the leadership of Marc Skinner, the team has established itself as one of the challenges in the Women’s Super League, and Polly is already proving that she can add that extra ingredient that will take us to the next level, both on and off the pitch.”
