Dingley was previously the head of the Rovers’ own football academy, and the 39-year-old was also the only woman to hold this office in men’s professional football. Her first game as a coach was to be a friendly at Melksham Town on Wednesday.

Premiere in English football – woman becomes a professional coach

“Hannah was a natural choice for us as interim first-team coach – she has done an excellent job in leading our academy and is fully in line with the club’s values,” Forest chairman Dale Vince said in a statement on the club’s website. “It is perhaps indicative of men’s football that we are breaking new ground with this well-deserved appointment.”

Earlier, the Forest Green Rovers had fired coach Duncan Ferguson after just six months in office. Under Ferguson, the team was relegated to the fourth-rate League Two.