"Admit It, How Many People Enjoyed The Women's World Cup In The Summer?" - Matt Bell, FootballFanCast.com
I think most of us loved it Matt. I came across this blog full of well meaning by Matt Bell. I love the guy's enthusiasm upon discovering the women's game, which many in Britain mirror. I believe He underestimates the game in its current position, and in its direction. The 2,710 crowd in Chelsea's final game of the 2015 WSL season was a Chelsea record only, and not an FA WSL or a women's game record. I am no expert or authority on the women's game, and I'm learning all the time, but the media driven, trivial issue of Manchester United not having a women's team is a non-issue. I agree, that a club as large as Man Utd in the top flight might help the commercial aspect of the game, but do we really miss anything without them? The FA has stated a number of times that they are trying to grow the women's game in a responsible and sustainable way. Adding another big money, high spending club into the mix would be irresponsible. The number one issue, that so many people seem to miss is, if the mighty Manchester United were to form a women's team, they would have to start at the bottom, like everyone else, working their way up the leagues. Those clubs struggling to survive, battling a myriad of adversities to earn promotion, striving towards the promise of bringing WSL to their fans, would be outraged, and rightly so, if a Man U team was granted a WSL or Premier League place. Why should the FA WSL mirror the Barclay's Premier League? People who know the game, will tell you women's football is a different game. Comparing the two is impossible and unfair. No argument can stand up, especially when there is such a huge disparity between the two. I don't think one gender is better than the other. I am a football fan, I love football. The two are different games. I just happen to be a big fan of the women's game.
Matt is absolutely right, the women's game is generally a cleaner sport, it's easier on the pocket, and there is some genuine talent on show. More people should be watching, and more girls and women should be playing. There are still deliberately obstructive elements at every turn for the women's game, and the strength and resilience of the leagues, clubs, officials, players, and fans is a defining testament to the game, and just another reason to watch or get involved.
According to Matt Bell, "the Women's Super League is missing big teams". Five teams in WSL 1 are associated with current Barclay's Premier League clubs (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Sunderland). Hardly small teams. The other four clubs all have men's teams in the Football League. Other Barclay's Premier League and Football League clubs are represented in WSL 2 and the FA Women's Premier League. Clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Brighton & Hove Albion, Charlton Athletic, Hull City, Ipswich Town, Newcastle United, West Ham United, Preston North End, and Derby County, all play in the FA WPL, compete in the SSE Women's FA Cup, and contribute to the development of the women's game with such little investment. The point is, you look at the FA WSL, and you do see big women's teams like Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City, Sunderland, and Doncaster Rovers Belles. Big clubs in women's football. There are only two Barclay's Premier League clubs without a women's team, already mentioned Man Utd, and Southampton (although they're looking to take over an existing women's club). Only one of those eighteen teems play below the FA Women's Premier League (AFC Bournemouth, Hampshire Women's League).
Information is much more accessible than it was a few years ago, when I started promoting the game. Looking up facts doesn't take a tremendous effort. I applaud Mr Bell for his enthusiasm, and his desire to give the girls a nudge, but misinformation can ultimately be damaging. I know that, from time to time, I make mistakes, but a little fact-checking would have led to a slightly better post.
View Matt Bell's blog here - http://www.footballfancast.com/football-blogs/why-we-should-be-paying-more-attention-to-womens-football?#Y2xhg5WRchV5fCbd.97
I think most of us loved it Matt. I came across this blog full of well meaning by Matt Bell. I love the guy's enthusiasm upon discovering the women's game, which many in Britain mirror. I believe He underestimates the game in its current position, and in its direction. The 2,710 crowd in Chelsea's final game of the 2015 WSL season was a Chelsea record only, and not an FA WSL or a women's game record. I am no expert or authority on the women's game, and I'm learning all the time, but the media driven, trivial issue of Manchester United not having a women's team is a non-issue. I agree, that a club as large as Man Utd in the top flight might help the commercial aspect of the game, but do we really miss anything without them? The FA has stated a number of times that they are trying to grow the women's game in a responsible and sustainable way. Adding another big money, high spending club into the mix would be irresponsible. The number one issue, that so many people seem to miss is, if the mighty Manchester United were to form a women's team, they would have to start at the bottom, like everyone else, working their way up the leagues. Those clubs struggling to survive, battling a myriad of adversities to earn promotion, striving towards the promise of bringing WSL to their fans, would be outraged, and rightly so, if a Man U team was granted a WSL or Premier League place. Why should the FA WSL mirror the Barclay's Premier League? People who know the game, will tell you women's football is a different game. Comparing the two is impossible and unfair. No argument can stand up, especially when there is such a huge disparity between the two. I don't think one gender is better than the other. I am a football fan, I love football. The two are different games. I just happen to be a big fan of the women's game.
Matt is absolutely right, the women's game is generally a cleaner sport, it's easier on the pocket, and there is some genuine talent on show. More people should be watching, and more girls and women should be playing. There are still deliberately obstructive elements at every turn for the women's game, and the strength and resilience of the leagues, clubs, officials, players, and fans is a defining testament to the game, and just another reason to watch or get involved.
According to Matt Bell, "the Women's Super League is missing big teams". Five teams in WSL 1 are associated with current Barclay's Premier League clubs (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Sunderland). Hardly small teams. The other four clubs all have men's teams in the Football League. Other Barclay's Premier League and Football League clubs are represented in WSL 2 and the FA Women's Premier League. Clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Brighton & Hove Albion, Charlton Athletic, Hull City, Ipswich Town, Newcastle United, West Ham United, Preston North End, and Derby County, all play in the FA WPL, compete in the SSE Women's FA Cup, and contribute to the development of the women's game with such little investment. The point is, you look at the FA WSL, and you do see big women's teams like Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City, Sunderland, and Doncaster Rovers Belles. Big clubs in women's football. There are only two Barclay's Premier League clubs without a women's team, already mentioned Man Utd, and Southampton (although they're looking to take over an existing women's club). Only one of those eighteen teems play below the FA Women's Premier League (AFC Bournemouth, Hampshire Women's League).
Information is much more accessible than it was a few years ago, when I started promoting the game. Looking up facts doesn't take a tremendous effort. I applaud Mr Bell for his enthusiasm, and his desire to give the girls a nudge, but misinformation can ultimately be damaging. I know that, from time to time, I make mistakes, but a little fact-checking would have led to a slightly better post.
View Matt Bell's blog here - http://www.footballfancast.com/football-blogs/why-we-should-be-paying-more-attention-to-womens-football?#Y2xhg5WRchV5fCbd.97
Comments
Post a Comment