An English semi-professional is likely club to have become the first in the United Kingdom to pay their men's and women's teams the same amount.

Lewes FC women's team plays in the Premier League Southern Division - the third tier of the women's game, while the men's team compete in the Isthmian League Division One South, their eighth tier.

Director Jacquie Agnew said: "We hope to spark a change that will help put an end to the excuses for why such a deep pay disparity has persisted."

As well as giving women's manager John Donoghue the same budget as male counterpart Darren Freeman, the East Sussex club say they will also ensure the same level of coaching staff, equipment and facilities are provided to the two sides.

The move is part of the club's Equality FC campaign, which is funded by a combination of the club, donors and sponsors.

Both teams already play at the same home ground - The Dripping Pan - and will share Equality FC as their shirt sponsor next season.

"We believe that there should be a level playing field for women in football," added Agnew.

"Lewes FC can show that equal pay can be implemented to the benefit of both women and men in sport and beyond."

From the BBC