Ex-Cheltenham Town women's captain claims club was turned into 'dictatorship'

The former captain of Cheltenham Town's women's side has accused "an individual" of turning the club into "a dictatorship where players feel psychologically unsafe".

On Monday, Emily Owen announced she was to depart the Women's National League Southern Premier side after four years, during which she made more than 130 appearances.

However, following the club sharing the news on social media, the defender posted a message to say she had left due to "a lack of an individual's principles and outright failures in processes".

Cheltenham Town Women said while it would not comment on individual cases, it takes all matters relating to the welfare and wellbeing of its players "extremely seriously".

Owen said she "wanted to set the record straight" after hearing of rumours circulating around the reasons for her departure.

"One individual in particular has far too much control within this team, turning the environment into a dictatorship where players feel psychologically unsafe," she said.

She went on to claim three other players had left the club "on moral grounds as boundaries were crossed, that shouldn't be crossed in women's football".

A spokesperson for Cheltenham Town Women said: "Cheltenham Town Women are committed to ensuring that every player, member of staff and volunteer is treated with respect and feels safe, valued and supported within our environment.

"We will ensure that any concerns brought to our attention are treated appropriately, sensitively and in line with all relevant policies and procedures".

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