Bristol City ready to ‘supercharge growth’ and prove women’s clubs can fly solo

After a split from the men’s team, CEO Hannah Buckley is overseeing an ambitious rebuild with WSL promotion firmly in sight

As radiant, August sunshine glistens around a peacefully silent Ashton Gate before Bristol City Women’s pre-season media day, Hannah Buckley takes a seat, pitch side, with a gleam in her eye, surveying the scene. The sight of a top-class venue makes her beam in a way that perhaps only somebody whose CV includes job titles such as regional facilities manager and head of infrastructure, safety and sustainability can. Nice stadiums, particular ones used by women’s sports teams, give her a kick.

But after more than 20 years in football, the past eight at the WSL, Buckley is working on building something rather different: a club capable of thriving independently from the auspices of a men’s club. She was appointed as the Women’s Super League 2 side’s chief executive in May, starting her role in June, at a fascinating time in the team’s history, after they were taken over by the investment group Mercury13 last year to break away from the Bristol Sport group that oversees Bristol City’s men’s team and the city’s rugby union and basketball sides.