'No plans whatsoever' to rename Biddulph 'LadsanDads' football group after England Women's Euros win
By Richard Price - Local Democracy Reporter
3rd Aug 2022 | Local News
The success of the England women's football team at this year's Euros has prompted some to question the brand name behind a north Staffordshire youth football league.
Staffordshire Ladsandads Club – a registered charity – caters for male and female players, in both mixed teams and single-sex teams.
However, some have questioned whether the name has the ability to inspire future Lionesses.
Cllr Jill Salt has written to Biddulph Ladsandads to ask them to consider renaming their branch, in the hope that others might also consider a change of name.
In her letter, she said: "Given that the Lionesses have just won the Euros, is it about time Biddulph moved on from the outdated term Ladsandads.
"Might I request that in celebration of their win and to mark the historic occasion, the branch considers ranking to move with the modern era of football in the UK."
Speaking about the letter she commented: "In my son's team, there's a girl who's been playing from the very beginning – so I'm not saying the Biddulph teams aren't inclusive, because they definitely are and lots of girls play for the side and lots of mums take their children to train.
"So it's not about not being inclusive, but I think the term 'Ladsandads' is outdated – because it implies it only caters for lads and dads."
Cllr Salt added: "I've always had a bit of a bee in my bonnet about it – I am a feminist, and I think girls should have choice.
"Given that the Lionesses have given women's football such a great big platform, it's an ideal time to celebrate the success of England's women – and perhaps think about changing the name.
"It's not just Biddulph – there's Leek Ladsandads, there's Kidsgrove Ladsandads, there's Trubshaw Cross Ladsandads.
"All the branches across north Staffordshire still have Ladsandads in their title."
She said she understood the history of the league's founder, former Stoke-on-Trent mayor Doug Brown, but felt there were other ways to honour his legacy.
She said: "I know it was all about Doug Brown who set it up 60 years ago – but 60 years ago it was just for lads and dads, and that's perfectly fine.
"We don't have to forget Doug Brown and the history, and the fact he created this league, because they still have the Doug Brown Trophy every year.
"I'm not asking the branches to forget the history at all, but it is about time we scrapped it – because mums take the kids, and girls play.
"And I'm sure Doug Brown – if he was still here – would be really proud that women can play football."
Cllr Salt feels parents googling local football teams for their daughter might incorrectly assume they can't join the teams because of the name.
She also said there's nowhere else in the country using the name.
Ladsandads has branches at Bentilee, Biddulph, Blurton, Kidsgrove, Leek, Milton, Newcastle, Stoke and Trubshaw Cross.
Clive Dean is chair of the organisation.
He said he felt the name honoured its longevity and the league is inclusive and is welcoming to players of all genders.
He said: "It doesn't mean lads and dads only – it's inclusive of all girls and women.
"It's a brand name, and we've got no intention whatsoever of changing the name.
"Ladsandads has been running for 55 years.
"We've got so much history with the organisation, and that name is synonymous with junior football in north Staffordshire.
"There are no plans whatsoever – and I don't understand how the success of the women's football team has anything to do with our name, I really don't.
"We do mixed teams, we do girls teams against boys – we do every combination of the two genders basically.
"We couldn't be more inclusive than we are at the moment. We do not operate any restrictions whatsoever on females.
"We believe Staffordshire Ladsandads is a brand name that has been going for 55 years and it means a lot to a lot of people."
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