FREE SOCKS
Kirby on why there are no big-time Charlies in the Lionesses squad
IT was only a pair of sports socks – but a freebie gift has taught Fran Kirby there are no big-time Charlies in England’s dressing room.
The Chelsea striker reckons there is still wide-eyed wonderment at the growth in the women’s game.
Top players can now earn healthy six-figure sums.
But that lags way behind the men, who can earn more in a week than some of their female counterparts take home in one year.
The feeling surrounding this clutch of hungry Lionesses is that France ’19 will be seen as a tipping point for the game in this country – the moment when it really takes off.
At the moment, there is no sign of them losing touch with reality. Kirby said: “A few years ago, girls had to buy their own boots. The manufacturers weren’t dropping off boxes and boxes like they are now. I came into the senior team quite late. When I was offered my first deal – a low one, I might add – I was jumping at it.
“I was biting off the woman’s hand to sign that piece of paper. I never in one million years thought I would be getting the deals I am. It’s getting so much bigger.
“We had a few pairs of socks given to us today and the reaction was, ‘That’s amazing’. We are humbled and so excited when people want to help us. I think it shows the character of the group when we can still get excited over a pair of socks.”
There is no sign of such harmony across the Pond. Players in the United States squad have been squabbling over commercial deals heading into the tournament.
That brings up the question of equal pay. Kirby said: “Ultimately, we do the same job as men. But we are not filling out stadiums. We need to grow the women’s game.
“As the women’s game progresses then those conversations can happen.
“The US are having that dispute at the moment. But they are filling out stadiums.
“They have won the World Cup. They have some of the world’s best players in their team. We need to go out and win the World Cup to have a leg to stand on. But if sell out stadiums, improve the game on and off the pitch, then those arguments will creep in.”
The Lionesses head into the competition with head coach Phil Neville admitting they are one of ‘four or five’ sides who have realistic hopes of lifting the trophy.
Kirby, who was involved in semi-final defeats at the previous two tournaments, says the group has not forgotten the shock loss against Holland at the European Championship two years ago.
She added: “It was silent in the dressing room. People were crying, upset, gutted that we couldn’t give the account of ourselves that we wanted.
“I feel we let ourselves down as players. That was the hardest part, we didn’t give enough. Is that a motivation for this World Cup? It is, yes.”