Did you know Leigh is the biggest town in the North West without a train station? We’ll no. Neither did I. I learnt a lot from Mollie Simpson’s piece about Women’s football in our region. Not least, that the best pieces are authored by people who know, & are passionate about the things they address. I am especially delighted to read from a woman who has been up on the game for years, & who got to watch the Euros final in a pub with mates, & then went out in search of a beer garden in which to celebrate. It’s the girls turn now, & I’m beginning to realise how long overdue that is.
Another great Mill article. Watching MOTD last night I sighed at some (many) of the players behaviour, dissent and histrionics and longed to be watching and listening to a women’s game and its crowd…..on mainstream TV
Thank you Caroline. I agree, the overarching feeling in women's games is one of respect and common values. I loved seeing Captain Leah Williamson comforting Lena Oberdorf while everyone else celebrated.
It might interest you that the 2022-23 Women's Super League will be shown on BBC and Sky Sports. Starts 10-11 September.
Another great article, which I really enjoyed, not just because I was a Women’s football chairman for 25 years, but also because it does capture the conflicts and clashes off the field, as well as on it.
If you are looking for another subject like this to report on, take a look at walking football, where both men and women play together and has a growing following. You will bump into ex-women footballers there who never quite made it into the WSL, but who still love playing the game
FOOTNOTE from a good friend who knows everything there is to be known about Women’s football:-
Nobody will know this now , but the original Curzon Ashton from 1996-97 were originally Hathershaw Ladies who played in the NWWRFL Div 4 in 1994-95 before becoming Curzon Ashton in 1996-97 , disbanding prior to 1999-2000
Thank you for the kind words Bill, and for passing on to a friend - glad you both enjoyed the piece. Walking football is a brilliant idea. As a spectator, I like the idea of watching the game at a slower pace. Any teams you'd recommend looking into?
Enjoyed reading this Mollie. I have no interest in football but I do have an interest in girls' and womens' lives and their position in society. To think women were banned from playing football after female football teams were originally formed is fairly astounding now but it seems the struggle is still real .
Thank you Anne. The hope is Layla's generation might be the first to make it through a football career unscathed, but it seems for now, there may still be a way to go.
Did you know Leigh is the biggest town in the North West without a train station? We’ll no. Neither did I. I learnt a lot from Mollie Simpson’s piece about Women’s football in our region. Not least, that the best pieces are authored by people who know, & are passionate about the things they address. I am especially delighted to read from a woman who has been up on the game for years, & who got to watch the Euros final in a pub with mates, & then went out in search of a beer garden in which to celebrate. It’s the girls turn now, & I’m beginning to realise how long overdue that is.
Glad you enjoyed Phil - it was amazing seeing the city light up after the final and like you say, long overdue.
Another great Mill article. Watching MOTD last night I sighed at some (many) of the players behaviour, dissent and histrionics and longed to be watching and listening to a women’s game and its crowd…..on mainstream TV
Thank you Caroline. I agree, the overarching feeling in women's games is one of respect and common values. I loved seeing Captain Leah Williamson comforting Lena Oberdorf while everyone else celebrated.
It might interest you that the 2022-23 Women's Super League will be shown on BBC and Sky Sports. Starts 10-11 September.
Another great article, which I really enjoyed, not just because I was a Women’s football chairman for 25 years, but also because it does capture the conflicts and clashes off the field, as well as on it.
If you are looking for another subject like this to report on, take a look at walking football, where both men and women play together and has a growing following. You will bump into ex-women footballers there who never quite made it into the WSL, but who still love playing the game
FOOTNOTE from a good friend who knows everything there is to be known about Women’s football:-
Nobody will know this now , but the original Curzon Ashton from 1996-97 were originally Hathershaw Ladies who played in the NWWRFL Div 4 in 1994-95 before becoming Curzon Ashton in 1996-97 , disbanding prior to 1999-2000
PS He also enjoyed the article
Thank you for the kind words Bill, and for passing on to a friend - glad you both enjoyed the piece. Walking football is a brilliant idea. As a spectator, I like the idea of watching the game at a slower pace. Any teams you'd recommend looking into?
Hi Mollie,
My daughter plays for teams based at Bolton Arena (all women and mixed), but this link should take you to others if travel is a problem
https://thewfa.co.uk/club-directory/
Several of the Bolton Arena Women's Walking Football Team have also been chosen for trials for the England team
Hope that’s OK
Best regards
Bill
Enjoyed reading this Mollie. I have no interest in football but I do have an interest in girls' and womens' lives and their position in society. To think women were banned from playing football after female football teams were originally formed is fairly astounding now but it seems the struggle is still real .
Thank you Anne. The hope is Layla's generation might be the first to make it through a football career unscathed, but it seems for now, there may still be a way to go.