Wolves Women first used AFC Wulfrunians’ Castlecroft as their home stadium in 2012 and returned for a second spell at the facility for the 2018/19 season, but that four-year run will be ended by a relocation to Telford.
The move comes on the back of a sensational season, which saw Dan McNamara’s side crowned champions of the Northern Premier League.
In what was Wolves’ first season back at that level, the old gold stormed the league, before being narrowly beaten in the promotion final against Southampton.
Ready to go again across 2022/23, they’ll do so at the New Bucks Head, where Wolves rekindles their 16-year relationship with AFC Telford United, having previously used the New Bucks Head for reserve and youth team fixtures.
Wulfrunians currently compete in the ninth tier of English football, while Telford play their matches in the Vanarama National League North which means the facilities are of a higher standard.
Jenna Burke-Martin, head of women’s and girls’ football at Wolves, said: “Firstly, we’d like to thank AFC Wulfrunians for their support for the women’s team, and for moving with us over the years by growing the facility and making required changes, but the move to Telford is around getting the women to a more professional standard across the board.
“We go into Compton and use the facilities every week, and the matchday needs to move with that in terms of the opportunity for the players and staff to work on a larger scale – it’s an exciting time as we move forward.
“The standard of the pitch is better, so hopefully will lead to fewer cancellations in the winter, and the larger stadium gives a more professional feel to where we want to be. We’ll be massively supported by Telford in terms of the operation on a matchday as well, which we haven’t had before.
“Telford will receive support from the Wolves grounds team as well. It’s more of a partnership than just hiring the stadium and will provide a high standard for the women to play at. We hope the move will prepare us to meet our targets of competing at a higher level within the women’s game in the future.”
Luke Shelley, football operations manager at AFC Telford United, added: “We are delighted to welcome Wolves back to the New Bucks Head. We have always had a good relationship with Wolves over the 16 years of working together.
“We are thrilled to be hosting the women's first-team next season, especially on the back of their sensational season last year, and we are looking forward to working together again next season to help grow the partnership to new levels.”
