Landmark appointment as Ash Thompson joins Rotherham United Women as Head of Women’s Football

Rotherham United Women are proud to announce the appointment of Ash Thompson as the club’s new Head of Women’s Football, marking the most significant football appointment in the club’s history.

Thompson joins the Millers after most recently managing Sheffield United Women, bringing with him elite-level experience, outstanding coaching credentials and a reputation for building high-performance environments and developing players at the highest level of the women’s game.

His appointment represents another landmark moment in the club’s ambitious journey and reinforces the long-term vision of co-owners Phil Smith and Scott Thorpe to establish Rotherham United Women as one of the country’s leading women’s football clubs.

Ash will dedicate his focus to leading every aspect of the club’s football operation, overseeing the First Team, Under-23s, player recruitment, coaching development, performance, player pathways and the club’s long-term football strategy.

As part of the new football structure, Craig Reading will continue as part of the First Team coaching staff, working alongside Ash as the club continues to strengthen every area of its football department.

Phil Smith, co-owner of Rotherham United Women, said: “Today is a landmark day for Rotherham United Women and one I genuinely believe supporters will look back on as a defining moment in the history of this football club.

When Scott and I committed to this project, we made one promise to each other – we would never think small.

“We didn’t become involved simply to stabilise the club. We came here because we believe Rotherham deserves a women’s football club capable of competing with the very best.

“This is our biggest statement of intent to date.

“To attract someone of the calibre of Ash, who has most recently managed Sheffield United Women, is a huge coup for this football club.

“Managers with his experience don’t often become available to clubs at our level, which says everything about the ambition of this project and the direction we’re travelling.

“Ash completely bought into our vision from our very first conversation. He understands this isn’t about one season, one promotion or one team.

“It’s about building a football club that will still be thriving in ten, twenty and thirty years’ time.

“His role extends far beyond the touchline. He will lead our football philosophy, develop our players, strengthen our coaching programme, create genuine pathways for young girls across our region and help build a culture where excellence becomes the standard.

“Our ambition is clear. We want Rotherham United Women challenging at the very top of the women’s football pyramid. We want every young girl growing up in Rotherham to believe she can represent this football club. We want to inspire our community, fill our stands, create opportunities and build a football club that this town is proud to call its own.

“Every successful football club starts with a vision. Today is another huge step towards ours.”

Ash Thompson, Head of Women’s Football, said: “From my very first conversations with Phil, Scott and John Breckin, I knew this was different.

“They didn’t talk about next weekend or even next season. They talked about building something that could genuinely change the future of women’s football in Rotherham.

“Projects with this level of ambition don’t come around very often, and that’s what made this such an exciting opportunity.

“We’re here to build much more than a successful first team. We want to create one of the strongest player pathways in the country, inspire more girls to play football from an early age and provide opportunities for players to develop and fulfil their potential without leaving the area.

“We want to build a football club that sits at the heart of its community, one that supporters are proud to follow and one that young players dream of representing.

“Success on the pitch is hugely important, but lasting success comes from building strong foundations. Together, we’ll create a winning culture, raise standards across every area of the football club and build something that can challenge at the very top of the women’s game for years to come.

“I can’t wait to get started.”

Ash Thompson is announced as Rotherham United Women Head of Women’s Football (Photo by Alex Roebuck)

Scott Thorpe, co-owner, added: “People will judge us by our actions, not our words.

“Over the last few months we’ve invested in players, coaches, facilities, sports science, media, commercial partnerships and our community. Today’s announcement is another action that demonstrates exactly where we intend to take this football club.

“This isn’t about making headlines for one day. It’s about building a football club that wins, inspires and leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come.

“The journey has only just begun.”

Ash begins his role immediately as preparations continue for the new season, with everyone at Rotherham United Women excited about the future and united behind one shared ambition.

This is more than an appointment.

It’s another statement of intent.

The future of Rotherham United Women starts now.