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Women's football? It's the family-friendly game we've all been waiting for
As England's women's football team play for the first time at Wembley's new stadium, Alice Arnold goes along and rejoices at a refreshing game that's free of rowdiness and 'tribal' swearing
I have been to just a couple of football matches in my life. To be honest the experience left me a bit cold - literally and figuratively. I was constantly worried about what swear word was going to come out of the mouths of the men sitting behind me. It’s not that I’m a prude but there were a few children nearby and I wished I had some ear muffs for them.
The walk to and from the ground wasn’t too much fun either. I was wearing no favours or coloured scarves so I couldn’t be identified by tribe; however, there was still a threatening feeling in the air, fuelled by alcohol and testosterone.
What a joy then to go to Wembley on Sunday to watch England’s women take on Germany. It was the first time England had played at the new stadium and an amazing 55,000 tickets had been sold. A great marketing idea from the Football Association - who had targeted the family audience. Tickets were available at £10 for adults and £1 for children. You could have a proper family outing for less than it would cost to go to the cinema.
True, a few were put off by the weather which was filthy but the stadium still looked full and the sound of thousands of children cheering was a joy. Even the fact that Germany beat us 3-0 didn't spoil the atmosphere.
No one is claiming that the women’s game is the same as the men’s. Of course the skill levels are lower. Most of the women playing are only semi-professional. If they are on an England contract they can earn about £20,000 and if they are very lucky they may get a similar amount from their clubs, but those are the exceptions rather than the rule.
Add to this the fact that the FA banned women’s football taking place on their grounds from 1921 to 1971, and it's clear that there is a fair amount of catching up to do. The development of the game in this country is crucial for women’s sport as a whole. It was clear from the beginning that Germany was the better side. They are ranked second in the world whereas we are ranked seventh. There is a clear gap to bridge.
I had a chat with Sylvia Gore, the first woman to score a goal for England (in 1972 against Scotland). She was adamant that girls need to play with the boys until at least their teens. The German women play with the men up to the age of 19 and it shows. Their skill levels and sheer strength were outstanding.
Paddy Mcgroarty, Sylvia Gore and Pat Davies at Wembley Stadium ahead of their first official women's international match against Scotland
If we want to compete with the best we need to adopt these strategies. This is not to say that it wasn’t a good match. I have always claimed that watching sport is only worthwhile if you care about the result and in this case, 45,000 England fans did care. They cheered and booed and did their best to encourage their team.
The sport is admittedly slower than the men’s game, but there are many positives too. There was one very short pause for an injury but the player leapt up and played on. There were no histrionics that make the men’s game laughable. We also didn’t have to put up with pathetic diving and constant calling for fouls that haven’t happened. It was refreshing, free-flowing and clean.
There will be at least two more ‘friendly’ matches against stiff opposition to be played in this country before the World Cup begins next summer. It seems to me as if the women’s game is on the right track. I used to think that women’s football could only grow if they piggy-backed on the men’s club game but on reflection I was wrong.
I would hate to see the women’s game become tribal. Instead it's opted for much more attractive route - modelled on American sport. If you have ever been to baseball, basketball or American Football, it is a proper family affair. Everyone is made to feel safe and welcome. We need a sport to fill that role in this country and women’s football fits the bill perfectly.
The only thing lacking from the match was a goal from England. I would have given anything to hear the high-pitched roars through the wind and rain. Walking back to the station through the crowds reminded me of the Olympics. There was a feel-good factor and a sense of unity added to which thousands of little girls saw what was possible. These are our players of the future and they had witnessed tough, competitive sport from some wonderful role models. I hope they left encouraged and inspired.