After a 12-year absence, Tring Athletic Ladies are set to make their long-awaited return to league action at the Michael Anthony Stadium. The club has ambitious plans both on and off the pitch, aiming to provide local grassroots sides like Tring Tornadoes Girls to create a clear pathway for women aspiring to reach the professional game.

Tring Athletic have a strong professional history in the women's game and want to relight it this season starting in tier 9 of the Thames Valley Counties WFL Div 3 North. Tring Athletic Chairman, Darrell Osborne alongside Chris Saunders, the newly highly anticipated Ladies manager, have a 5 year club ambition: promotion to tier 5 where FA Cup football will take place.

The newly reformed women’s team also provides a vital pathway for players from Tring such as Tornadoes Girls, ranging from Under-6s to Under-16s, ensuring they have access to top-quality facilities, support, and opportunities to progress towards a professional career in football.

Tring Athletic Ladies began their journey in 1999, quickly establishing themselves as a competitive force in women’s football. A highlight came on September 9th, 2001, when they played their first-ever FA Cup match, securing an emphatic 5–1 victory over Sawbridgeworth Town and also finishing 6th in the league. However, the momentum was short-lived, and the team folded during the 2002/03 season due to a lack of players and commitment. They returned to the pitch in the 2005/06 season, competing in Division One and enjoying six successful seasons before folding once more at the end of the 2012/13 campaign. Now, after a 12-year absence, the team is back for the 2025/26 season under new manager Chris Saunders, who begins the club’s next chapter with a strong squad of 22 players.

In October 2024 Darrell approached Chris about a potential position taking over Tring Athletic Ladies. After 13 years at Wing Raiders “ it had to be something special to get me to make the switch”.

“I can't wait to get started with the season and pre-season looks so promising with such a great group of girls!”

“When I spoke to Darrell about taking over the ladies team and the talk of getting to tier 5 football for the FA Cup I was so thrilled to be offered the position to take over as manager for the first time in 13 years.”

“My go to formation is 4-4-2, with the full backs pushing forward and assisting with the attacks. We are loaded in the midfield and wingers areas which is great to have depth in those areas.”

“I have 22 players in my squad which is good for squad depth as some people can't commit to every Saturday home or away.”

Tring Athletic Ladies have the first preseason match at the Michel Anthony Stadium against Aylesbury where they won 5-1, which demonstrated a very dominant performance and the ambitions for the upcoming season.

With women's football experiencing unprecedented growth in attendance, sponsorship, and media coverage, there’s never been a better time for Tring Athletic to relaunch their ladies team. The success of the England Women’s team—capped by their historic EURO 2022 & 2025 victories—has played a major role in inspiring a new generation of players and driving momentum at the grassroots level across the country.

Everyone at Tring Athletic is thrilled to have the ladies football back at The Michael Antony Stadium. The season is due to start the commencing weekend of the 3rd of September. We will keep you informed when the fixtures will be released.