Blackburn Rovers Women hit with mass exits amid reports of minimum wage salaries

Blackburn Rovers Women are facing an uncertain summer after star player Lucy Shephard departed alongside 10 others amid reports of a £100K playing budget for the 2024/25 season.

Shephard won the Rovers Player of the Year award for 2023/24 but it was confirmed over the weekend that she will be leaving the club at the end of her contract. She joined the club last summer from Lionesses, scoring five times in 25 games.

Top-scorer Megan Thornby is also departing, despite netting eight goals last term for Rovers. She's made 59 appearances over the last two seasons but will move on this summer.

Shanell Salgado, Helen Seed, Milly Robertson, Lauren Thomas, Faith Nokuthula, Hannah Coan, Emma Doyle and Nicola Worthington will also depart despite many playing an important role for Simon Parker's side.

The news of such an extensive retained list has left some supporters confused. However, a report from The Daily Mail claims Blackburn Rovers have a playing budget of £100K for their Women's team next season.

It states that Rovers will pay their Women's team players a salary of £9,000 a year for the upcoming season on a 16-hour contract. That is in line with the minimum wage, which is £11.44 for those 21 and over.

Training will be scheduled from Wednesday to Saturday with matches set to take place on a Sunday. However, it's claimed the 16 hours will not take into account travel for away fixtures and possible overnight stops for matches further away.

The Lancashire Telegraph contacted Blackburn Rovers in regard to this report but the club did not wish to provide comment.

Blackburn Rovers Women recorded their highest-ever league finish of sixth in the Women's Championship last season. They also won more points than ever before, recording a new record attendance of 1,500 at Ewood Park for their fixture against Southampton.