I’m not a women’s football fan But shutting them down? Our Academy is probably one of the most important parts of our Club at the moment and could well keep us in business in seasons to come it should not be touched by this board
How many people turned up to watch them last season on average? It seems a real shame, surely unlocking the West Stand and the changing rooms isn't going to cost much? Then again it seems crazy that the FA are saying for the fourth tier of women's football you need a stadium.
While I agree that the club needs to become more sustainable, I don't think it's reasonable to view each individual element as needing to be profitable in its own right, otherwise where does it end? Are the disabled facilities profit-making, for example? Or the car park? Some things have to be viewed in the wider context of what is fair and reasonable and what they contribute to the reputation and state of the club in general, and I'd like to think that having a women's team made a positive contribution on both counts.
Often matches were free for season ticket holders and they still couldn't pull in good crowds. The drop in official website media coverage between seasons 1 and 2 won't have helped.
Just what are the regulations... I guess I can see if 4G is ruled out, than that's that. But the other area is grass isn't it. With a stand at the side. How would that not pass regulations when a "grassroots" pitch does... I'm really not understanding that. I'm unsure how much it would cost to play on Oakwell, but have they even considered 2 quid entry or owt like that, rather than free ST etc. It doesn't look good in anyway no matter how sliced up. Just to offload the women's team, especially after the strides they made to get where they are. Disappointed
Those two clubs will surely have to merge on day.. Which actually mirrors what happened in the men's game in it's infancy a hundred and odd years ago.. Clubs merged others folded. Football is a business, like it or not. Help support it or not it's up to the individual.. But one thing is for sure, it's never going back to what it was. The women's game as been at pushed and pushed world wide. Because some smart alec in a office somewhere observed that 'football is a worldwide brand with a audience of billions.. But there's still 50% of the world's population that need it to be sold too them.. there's still all that untapped revenue.. Think of how much more we can rake in by selling merch and advertising to the girls as well.'! Follow the money..
There suddenly seems to be a big following for the woman's team, how many have actually gone and watched a game? The board can't win on this one. We either spend money on playing on Oakwell in front of a crowd of less than 100, most of which get free entry, or we rent a local ground, which again, costs money. Money that we don't have. Why would we throw money at something which has no chance of repaying the investment? We need investment into the playing squad, facilities, fanzone etc. We can't have it both ways, the money needs to come from somewhere and we already know we have a board that want to be sustainable. That's not going to happen without making choices like this. Feel for the players and staff of the Woman's team but if there's no money, what can you do.
The cost of playing on the 4G is probably negligible, the cost of playing on Oakwell is likely significant, just in terms of additional maintenance, staffing, I imagine there are additional requirements for health and safety & the safety certificate.
All signed as teenagers. Fabio was very young. Without an academy setup, none would have been attainable. And it’s not just football they are coached in. They do education alongside it, which stands those who don’t make the grade on the pitch in good stead regardless. Reduce the costs elsewhere. The club was spending about £20,000 a week on a few players who - last season - weren’t impacting the first team. That’s enough to fund the academy and Women’s setup right there.
My daughter has played for years for them, can't keep throwing money at the women's team for no rewards.
It's usually due to the proximity of dressing rooms to the pitch and other infrastructure requirements.
I've looked this up and for tier 4 (I think) there are loads we would pass (4g fine, car parks, loos, technical areas etc). 1 which might be the issue is "Must provide safe unimpeded passage for players and match officials between dressing room and pitch". This has to be a permanent structure or those retractable tunnels. Do we have that on those pitches? Also in typical wooly FA wording the ground "Must give the overall appearance and impression of being suitable for the highest level of women's football". God knows if that's the issue. What I also don't get is why this is now an issue? Played at same level last season and doesn't seem to have been an issue unless this is the end of a long going argument..... I'd be inclined to blame the FA personally. Putting barrier in the way for no real reason. It's not like they are playing on the local rec is it?
It's been pushed because there's a genuine interest in it. My daughters are ST holders at Liverpool women and haven't missed a game home or away this year. I've attended around 13 games this year and been to grounds such as the Emirates, Amex, Stamford Bridge and Villa Park. Fans get free away travel and entry is much cheaper. Lot are turning towards it because of prices in the men's game. I enjoy attending the games at league level and seen Lionesses several times as well in front of 70k plus crowds. Disappointed we've scrapped ours but I can understand
The only one would be the safe passage - from the Academy lower changing rooms to the pitch. There is an option to come down the side, but would need some alterations. Otherwise everyone comes down the side of the stand together.
I’ve seen them play probably 5 or 6 times and do keep an eye on the results. Sometimes it’s been better watching the lasses than the lads! I agree we can’t throw loads of money at it, but I’d be intrigued to know why we can’t use the current pitches. That seems strange. I agree they can’t use Oakwell main pitch, that would cost far too much. But the 4G or showcase should be more than fine. I’m also concerned why this wasn’t raised earlier - surely if season ticket holders were promised free entrance, then it must have been in doubt back then too.
Only needs one player to make it Just a question how would you feel if the scum bags down the road landed a gem of a player from Barnsley