Woodley United manager in ‘complete shock’ as suggested by the club he ‘is no longer a female club manager’

Woodley United confirmed in a statement that Marc Surtees would no longer hold the position of female manager who was in the top of the women’s first team leadership for 14 years.

The statement included a thank you for his services, “This club would like to thank Marc for his old and gradual service since 2011 with many important things including winning the Regency Cup with the team in U16, U18 and the backup level and getting league promotions with both reserves and the first team.

Complete club statements can be read here.

A very large anger has hit social media after news with a number of first team players and fans expressed their disappointment in the decision.

What a heartbreaking announcement and those who haven’t come from Marc!
As a team, we do not agree with this decision to be destroyed to lose a loyal, original and dedicated manager who has done many things for Woodley girls/women for the past 14 years. https://t.co/nnxjz0xkri

– Woodley United Ladies (@woodleyutdlfc) June 20, 2025

Absolute and frank bombs are confusing decisions. Marc changed this club to be one respected at all levels of women’s games but more than that. There is a special atmosphere with everyone feels like they are part of the family. All the best & thank you for the memories. https://t.co/ookusnoiii2

– The Wandering Tractor (@wanderintractor) June 20, 2025

Marc himself has also been taken to X after letting the dust settle before commenting, his statement reads the following;

“This surprised me, going to what I thought was a meeting to discuss the next season, it turned out to be a meeting to tell me that I was no longer asked as a female team manager, after being in a role for 14 years. I was told that I had lost my encouragement considering it was 2 days before our open session and we had advertised for new players, and we searched to start 2 days before/we had advertised.

“I know that there has been speculation in the club’s plan for the women’s team, but I was advised that they would look for new managers and at that time, no one was lined up. I really hoped that they found someone to take over the team so that Woodley United could still have a women’s team.”

“I have been overwhelmed by all comments and support, both from those who have been involved with the team and those who are outside the club, on social media and direct messages that I received. I want to thank the players who have been involved in the team that I have managed, I will be very lucky. Touch and aim to be in between who support them from time to time.”

Like standing, the club currently has no substitute and is trying to recruit one for 2025/26 when Woodley started their third campaign in the First Division of the Southern Women’s Football League for the third season since getting a promotion back to level 5.

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