Bolton Wanderers Women can confirm their retained list following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season.
Five players will be leaving the club, with two of those being Eboni Bradshaw and Flo Rigby, who depart to take up scholarship opportunities in America. Midfielder Chloe Ardin leaves the Whites to head to University to study, whilst goalkeeper Eve Ebanks and defender Eva Williams will also depart Wanderers this summer.
In exciting developments for Women’s football within the Football Club, a number of players part of the first team squad from 2024/25 have accepted offers to join the newly-named B Team for the 2025/26 season.
Following Carl Halliwell’s newly refined role in stepping away from his Assistant Manager position to further develop the pathway of Women’s football below first team level – coupled with the Reserves’ promotion to Tier 6 this season – the B Team is well equipped to be a success once again next year.
Myles Smith, Women’s First Team Manager, said: “Firstly, I would like to thank every single player for their contribution last season in helping us to become double winners and create unbelievable memories. We could not have achieved any of it without the collective pulling together in the same direction – with that I have no doubt.
“But as is the case with all successful teams we cannot afford to stand still, and we must be proactive and evolve in order to continue what we have built over the previous 12 months.
“With an exciting core group of players continuing in the first team environment next season, we have a base to build from as we look to have another successful campaign in Tier 5. The work is already well underway to add to that group.
“The B Team is also an exciting indicator of our development in such a short space of time.
“Working closely with Carl Halliwell and the coaching staff in our pathway, we can track the continued progress of all players whilst allowing them to grow in a team competing in the sixth tier of Women’s football – the level we were playing at last season.
“The door absolutely remains open for all those starting with the B Team next season. We need the pathway to be as strong as possible, allowing us to build links and create a conveyor belt of talent to come through our system for years to come.
“For Eboni and Flo, whilst it’s disappointing to be losing both ahead of the new season, we wish them all the best in taking up an exciting opportunities in America. The same with Chloe, who leaves with our best wishes to go and study at University. We also want to wish both Eve and Eva the very best with their future careers, whilst thanking them for their contributions during their time with us.”
The full retained list is as follows:
Players remaining with the Women’s First Team squad:
Hannah Baldwin
Caitlin Clarke
Ocean Flanagan
Neishai Gordon
Madison Hardman
Katie Holt
Faye Knox
Eleanor Seals
Millie Smith
Charlotte Tyers
Players to start the 2025/26 season with Women’s B Team squad:
Lily Barnes
Emily Culshaw
Grace Grundy
Milla Hodson
Maisy Mitchell
Emme Shone
Erin Smith
Lacey Taylor
Alexsis Williams
Dual-registration players returning to parent clubs:
Olivia Ball
Jess Lightfoot
Annabelle White
Players leaving Bolton Wanderers Women:
Chloe Ardin
Eboni Bradshaw
Eve Ebanks
Flo Rigby
Eva Williams