Whole new ball game
VITAL TO SEIZE DAY
THERE is much more at stake than a trophy, bragging rights and a few gongs to be had when the Lionesses meet Germany today.
For once we don’t have to fret about cretinous fans high on drink and drugs launching fireworks out of their backsides and storming Wembley stadium.
And few would begrudge Sarina Wiegman, Beth Mead and Leah Williamson being honoured by the Queen should England win just the second major football trophy in the nation’s history.
Forget MBE, OBE or CBEs, if the Lionesses end almost six decades of hurt then all of them should be made Dames – and I include Dutchwoman Wiegman in this.
That’s because those mentioned above would stand shoulder-toshoulder with Sir Geoff Hurst, Heather Knight, Eoin Morgan and Martin Johnson in terms of sporting achievement and greatness.
But even taking all of the above into account, there is still something far more crucial in the offing – and it concerns what happens to the future of women’s football after this competition.
Whatever the outcome of today’s game, Wiegman and her stars have done more than enough to transform the women’s game.
But the same was thought back in 2019 when England reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, yet the chance to build a legacy on the back of it was squandered.
Now that time has come along again – and the outcome has to be different.
One senior figure in football who used to run one of the biggest clubs in the world recently told me how he used to cringe at conversations between male executives and directors in boardrooms, which consisted of them mocking women’s football.
How ironic then that it could be a bunch of women, led by a woman, who manage to do what no English men’s side has done since 1966.
Look at the viewing figures for this tournament.
The overall attendance record has been obliterated, with more than 500,000 attending games, while the showpiece clash should set an all-time attendance record for a Euros final.
But the most significant number of all is the fact that almost 100,000 children have been part of these crowds. These kids could be the future stars of the sport.
There needs to be greater turnouts at games in the WSL and below through better advertising and promotion, while facilities at grounds need to be upgraded.
Fans having to still use
Portaloos?
Seriously?
The top flight needs to be expanded through a revamped promotion and relegation system, because more teams means more income, while there has to be greater exposure through television.
Big games should be moved to evening slots, when audiences are more willing to watch.
Baroness Campbell, who runs the women’s game, has – along with the FA – done some sterling work in a bid to grow the sport. But the hard graft is just starting and never before have those responsible had such a platform to work from.
Don’t waste this chance, because ones like these are like major trophies – they only come around once in a generation.