Women: Six Departures Announced

Watford FC Women confirms the departure of six Hornets following the conclusion of the 2022/23 campaign, with five players released as preparations begin for the 2023/24 Barclays Championship season.

Club captain Helen Ward confirmed her on-pitch retirement in March, with Wales’ all-time top goalscorer lifting the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division and Play-Off trophies to close out an illustrious career.

Following 113 appearances and eight successful years with the Golden Girls in her second spell at the club, Adekite Fatuga-Dada will be leaving Watford this summer having played a part in her second promotion in yellow.

Returning in 2015 from Arsenal having started her football journey in Hertfordshire, Fatuga-Dada made her debut that August against Doncaster Rovers Belles and became a fan favourite from the wing, contributing 16 goals and consistently leading the assists charts.

The playmaker was vital to promotion under Clinton Lancaster in the curtailed 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons and appeared regularly in the Championship during 2021/22, with injury keeping her out of action at several points in the most recent campaign.

Goalkeeper Georgie Ferguson also departs after two seasons at the club, signing in the summer of 2021. The 20-year-old spent a season-and-a-half as first choice between the sticks, making 39 appearances including 17 in 2022/23.

Nicola Gibson was a regular fixture in Damon Lathrope’s side in her single season at Grosvenor Vale, appearing 29 times and netting once from defence.

Gibson will be departing alongside fellow 2022 arrival Emily Wallace, who made 22 appearances for the club following her move from Oxford United last August.

Winter signing Faye Brough is the final name to be departing the Hornets. The Japanese forward played 13 times after joining in February, netting goals against MK Dons, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Plymouth Argyle.

“We would like to wish the departing players all the best for the future,” said Interim General Manager Laura Dyer. “They have played a fantastic part in our successful season and they have given us commitment and effort throughout.”

The full list can be found below:

Retired: Helen Ward

Released: Adekite Fatuga-Dada, Emily Wallace, Faye Brough, Georgie Ferguson, Nicola Gibson

We thank all departing players for their efforts and wish them luck for the future.