Watford Ladies have been taken under Watford FC's "umbrella" as the Golden Girls have filled two key positions in a revamped management structure at the club.

The Lady Hornets have appointed Katie Rowson as their new head coach, while Ellie Kemp has already begun work as general manager and marketing officer.

Former Golden Girls boss John Salomon previously combined the duties of head coach and general manager until he joined the FA in October. Salomon said that changes at the club were afoot when he moved on and his responsibilities have been split into two positions, but Kemp has also revealed that the Women’s Super League 2 team have been taken under the “umbrella” of Watford FC.

The Golden Girls’ link with the men’s team has been through the club’s Community Sports and Education Trust, with whom it signed a partnership agreement in 2006.

Kemp said: “The vision is for the club to be as competitive on the pitch and to be as professional and forward thinking off the pitch. Ultimately the end goal has to be promotion into the WSL 1.

“I believe I can build on the foundations laid by John Salomon. The girls possess the right attitude, they want to play for one another and that for me makes for a great starting point.

“Watford Football Club have taken the ladies team under their umbrella and this to me signifies both the ambition and belief the team at Vicarage Road have for our future.”

Hornets chief executive Scott Duxbury said: “We want Watford Ladies FC to offer a pathway for talented local female footballers into top-level women’s football.

“Watford FC wishes the club every success for the forthcoming season and, in partnership with our Community Trust, will offer the fullest possible support to the set-up.”

Rowson, who had been coaching in the British Virgin Islands since 2013 and was technical director for the past 12 months, said: “I am delighted to join a fantastic club, with such great prospects and a great vision for the future.

“It has been a quick transition, I only landed back in the country [last] Friday from working abroad; so I am happy to hit the ground running.”

Rowson, who was national head coach at several age levels in the Carribean islands, continued: “I am excited to get onto the training pitch and want to get to know the players as soon as possible. I am looking forward to working with them during our preparation for the season.

“I need to complete player appraisals immediately but I believe that it is important to have experienced players within the squad so our recruitment plan is underway.”

Kemp, whose background includes supporter services, ticketing, sponsorship and project management, said of the new head coach: “We needed someone to come in who would look at our strengths and our positives.

“Here, I believe we’ve found someone who has quickly assessed our position and is committed to developing our players to get the best out of them.”

Commenting on her own role, Kemp said: “Watford Ladies have worked their way up the football pyramid system and have shown tremendous development over seven seasons.

“I was keen to join a progressive and dynamic club and Watford Ladies certainly fits that bill.”

Although the new WSL 2 season does not start until March 23 when Watford open their campaign at London Bees, competitive football resumes for the Golden Girls on Sunday when they face Millwall Lionesses in the third round of the FA Women’s Cup at Berkhamsted FC (kick off 2pm).