Humble Bob’s Epic Blog
Not everybody likes football. I know, difficult to believe when we’ve had one recent prime minister of the country so immersed in the game he self-identified as an Aston Villa and West Ham fan and another who has pushed the boundaries of fashion (if not credulity) by appearing recently at an important international at Wembley with an England top proudly worn over his shirt and tie. But, if prime ministers, in their own inimitable ways, are taking time out from running the nation to associate themselves with the beautiful game, then, love it or loathe it, you have to concede that football is a part of the national DNA. Many clubs are as rooted in their local communities - and often better supported - than churches. True, mirroring the rest of the nation, the sport also has its troubles: too much money in the wrong places, too little desire to redress the balance. There is still an ugly side of aggression, violence, abuse and racism that refuses to go away. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel, that isn’t a late-running train, which could not only change the DNA of football but also - in a small and important way - of society itself, and that is female football.
Across the age groups and numerous tiers of football from jumpers for goalposts through grassroots to international level, girls and women are becoming football players and they want to have the same support and opportunities in the sport as boys and men have long enjoyed. Imagine what a game changer it could be to see the sport, at all levels, embrace and develop both the female and male sides of the game as one whole. On the pitch there comes a point when both play separately but, in the process of getting there, the players, supporters, coaches, managers and owners are all simply just that with no constant reference to gender.
It’s a vision of a footballing sunny uplands in which a long overdue levelling up would allow all those involved in the game to enjoy equal status. Once achieved, other struggles for equal status would surely follow, and the achievement couldn’t help but seep into wider society. It’s a lot to play for. You may think I’m a dreamer. But, I don’t see it as just a dream. I see it as an attainable reality. And I’m not the only one. True, there is a tough opposition that will park the proverbial bus in front of the goal because they don’t like female football and believe it has no place anywhere near the men’s game but it’s no longer just their game.
Emma Hayes, one of the current Chelsea managers, was recently linked to a manager’s position with a third tier men’s club in the EFL. A woman running a men’s professional team? Wow. She must have been really flattered to be considered. She was not. Emma Hayes considered it an insult to her status, achievements and abilities as an elite level coach.
She said, “I don’t know why anyone would think that women’s football is a step down (in comparison to the men’s). The football world needs to wake up. While the game is played by a different gender, it’s the same sport.”
There is an international football competition called the She Believes Cup. Well, Emma Hayes doesn’t just believe, she knows. Now he needs to believe and step up to the challenge of changing the game and, maybe, a little bit of the word for the better.