Page 16 - Women's Soccer Scene No.11 2020-21

Bridgwater Town FC and Yeovil United FC will together embark on an
extraordinary new era for football from the start of the 2021-22 season.
Following approval from all relevant football authorities, the clubs will
merge under one unified name to represent the town in which they are based. The
clubs are united for Bridgwater and in turn, will be newly branded as Bridgwater
United Football Club.
Under the leadership of CEO Adam Murry, Ewan Greenhill, Chief
Operating Officer and club director states: "The ‘One Club' approach will enable
Bridgwater United Football Club to acquire the mantel of one of the biggest
football clubs within the South West region. The one club will now offer football
through their women's and men's 1st team sides, the Under-21's Women's FA
National reserve league squad, a newly introduced Under-23's men's squad, the Dual Career
Academy Education programme, the existing Girls academy and the newly launched boys academy
with trials beginning in May.
"As one club, the current strength and potential upside of growth in both the male and female
pathways will provide a stronger future for the club and the town of Bridgwater itself. The club will
now operate with an increased amount of full time resources and with a greater pool of experienced
people in coaching, administration, commercial and marketing."
Yeovil United FC is currently seated one league under the Women's Championship league in
the football pyramid whilst Bridgwater Town FC sits in step 5 of the men's non-league pyramid. The
club will feature an already well established and FA approved elite holistic player development
programme and will work towards an Elite Academy Status within both the male and female
pyramids. The academy will support the development of young players in Somerset and the South
West from Under-9's right through to Under-23's.
The academy programme will replicate the excellent girls' provision currently in place which
has a proven track record of developing players through the pathway and ultimately receiving their
first team chance. The aim will continue to be the development of competitive players who play an
attractive brand of the game whilst ensuring they are set up for life away from football.
An excellent standard of UEFA licenced coaches will lead their development with individual
reviews and a rounded approach to coaching the game through technical competency, tactical
understanding, physical literacy and will support personal growth through education on a positive
mentality and social responsibility.
In the meantime the club has launched its brand evolution as the first part of a wider
transformation which includes digital products such as new websites, social media, and future
merchandise ranges.
The new crest which will feature on all of the Club's playing kits, branding and
communications takes inspiration from the history of the town of Bridgwater. The new brand
identity modernises and provides a platform for its fan engagement ambitions across this and future
digital eras. The ‘United Robin' crest epitomises the robust, dynamic, and forward-thinking unified
club.
The United Robin centres around The Club's retained nickname with a dynamic classic
leather football. The football is cradled in a U-shape banner which adorns the clubs name and
represents the United within our name whilst also featuring turrets that represent the Castle that
once stood in the centre of the town.
The colours chosen provide a refreshed colour palette displaying a stronger, prominent crest
that will provide both the club's identity and a stronger visual impact in busy digital environments.
Giuseppe Fraschini, Director of Media and Communications commented on the launch by
stating: "The brand evolution has been designed so that it is futureproof and of our long-term
strategic plan and our commitment to the town. With our fans and partners in mind our goal is to
implement an exciting digital transformation to support the club's growth via increased fan
engagement. We also have the added ability to utilise a secondary brand alternative which will
benefit the club going forward.
"The bold and contemporary visual style is the embodiment of the club's vision to bring new
life and aspirational change to Bridgwater and the surrounding area. We will do this via club and
facility development of which further news is to be released combined with the ever important
community outreach and engagement through Bridgwater United Community Sports Trust."
Issue no. 11 - 1 April 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk