WSL STILL ISN’T A PROPER CROWD-PULLER

THERE are more than 50,000 expected for the Women’s Super League match between Arsenal and Tottenham tomorrow, breaking the record for a domestic game in England. And that’s good news, obviously. It was a record crowd of 5,315 for Manchester United at their home in Leigh last weekend, and a record 3,006 for Liverpool at Prenton Park. Yet, as often happens, when gates disappoint in the WSL, the numbers are harder to find. It was midweek before it was revealed West Ham played Everton in front of 1,118 and Leicester drew only 2,868 against Tottenham, despite playing at the 32,000-capacity King Power Stadium.

A picture in a national newspaper made it appear as if the ground was packed. It wasn’t. The camera focused on the one small part of it open to spectators.

So there is work to do. Arsenal got 3,238 at Boreham Wood — depicted as a sell-out, although Meadow Park’s capacity is 4,500 — and had shed 668 fans by the time they played Ajax there in the Champions League five days later. This was always going to be the way even after the success of the European Championship. All the talk was of massive percentage increases in tickets sold but when the base is small that is often measured in hundreds or low thousands. Then there is a marquee occasion, like the north London derby, heavily promoted and supported and trumpeted as an indicator of interest. The next week it is back to reality. Call it Anniversary Games syndrome. After the 2012 Olympics, the next summer an athletics meeting at the London Stadium drew a packed house. The year after, too. Then, as the event grew less special, the numbers dropped. By the end, West Ham’s family fun day was better attended.

So it’s great the Emirates will break the record this weekend but it’s not the barometer. That can be found in places like Leigh, where interest in women’s football is growing, but still needs nurturing.

It cannot become a big day out once a year. The women’s game needs the weekly commitment that men’s football enjoys if the anticipated bounce is to become real: repeat business, not an annual jamboree.