Women’s Football

[Dr Who?]

The Saints women squad is looking very light on the ground, with a first team squad of just 20. With only 1 recognised goalkeeper, and 4 attackers. I think the rest is ok with 8 defenders and 7 midfielders, but the whole squad (what there is of it) seems a little thin on the ground. Of these 20, 10 of the squad are new, with ALL of our forwards from last season departing! I think it is a transitional season for sure and there seems to be huge cut backs. I think this season we will be in the bottom 3rd. 
 

 

Edited 1 August, 2025 by Dr Who?
I always forget to close open brackets

[Holmes_and_Watson]

57 minutes ago, Dr Who? said:

The Saints women squad is looking very light on the ground, with a first team squad of just 20. With only 1 recognised goalkeeper, and 4 attackers. I think the rest is ok with 8 defenders and 7 midfielders, but the whole squad (what there is of it) seems a little thin on the ground. Of these 20, 10 of the squad are new, with ALL of our forwards from last season departing! I think it is a transitional season for sure and there seems to be huge cut backs. I think this season we will be in the bottom 3rd. 
 

 

Disappointing, considering previous upwards trajectory that tailed off, plus the extra euros boost.

Still, in Mott we trust. 🙂

[Weston Super Saint]

3 hours ago, Dr Who? said:

The Saints women squad is looking very light on the ground, with a first team squad of just 20. With only 1 recognised goalkeeper 
 

 

Better than the men's team then.

Seaside B&B.

[Turkish]

This is pretty funny 

[Elmore Saint]

Absolutely roared with laughter when I heard this last night. Classic move and to think of that in a shootout situation! Only time I’ve heard the term shithousery used on national radio… 

[Football Special]

If you are after a football fix today get on down to St Mary’s for Saints Women v Ipswich Women , first league game of the season, 2pm kick off. 

[Doctoroncall]

A guide to WSL2 teams

investment difficulties in WSL2

Edited 6 September, 2025 by Doctoroncall
Add Telegraph article

[AlexLaw76]

2 hours ago, Football Special said:

If you are after a football fix today get on down to St Mary’s for Saints Women v Ipswich Women , first league game of the season, 2pm kick off. 

Full house at SMS?

[Saint Neil]

On youtube and 2-0 up

https://www.youtube.com/live/DkcXpuUDAAk?si=sXvmUVYX4pA8d-d_

[John Boy Saint]

16 minutes ago, Saint Neil said:

On youtube and 2-0 up

https://www.youtube.com/live/DkcXpuUDAAk?si=sXvmUVYX4pA8d-d_

Turned over just in time for 3-0 - cheers

[Sheaf Saint]

4-0 now.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Lots of new faces. Great to get a good start, and the tator said there's a few home games to hopefully give us a strong opening to the season.

It got a lot quieter after the 4th. Ipswich were happy to leave their defence a bit light. Saints were happier to play from deep to, nullyfing the visitors and looking for breaks.

Lots of late subs who didn't maybe get the chance to shine yet. 

The spine of Goddard, Bashford and Primus looked decent.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

2 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Full house at SMS?

No. Not far short of 4000 in today.

[Football Special]

8 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

No. Not far short of 4000 in today.

3,896 in attendance 

[Charlie Wayman]

1 hour ago, Football Special said:

3,896 in attendance 

Hardly making a case to play many matches at SMS. 

[Matthew Le God]

7 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

Hardly making a case to play many matches at SMS. 

Where else should they play? They had an attendance of 7k last season.

The 3,896 they had today is more than some attendances the under 18s and under 21s have had at St Mary’s. Should they not play at St Mary’s either?

[Football Special]

33 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Where else should they play? They had an attendance of 7k last season.

The 3,896 they had today is more than some attendances the under 18s and under 21s have had at St Mary’s. Should they not play at St Mary’s either?

I think if they have a successful season and are in a promotion battle that will help the attendances. 

Also really cheap, for families on a lower budget it's good introduction to live football. 

[egg]

47 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Where else should they play? They had an attendance of 7k last season.

The 3,896 they had today is more than some attendances the under 18s and under 21s have had at St Mary’s. Should they not play at St Mary’s either?

It can't be great playing in front of an almost empty stadium.

They'd all but sell out Eastleigh's ground. Personally, I think a ground share would make much more sense. 

 

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

Where else should they play? They had an attendance of 7k last season.

The 3,896 they had today is more than some attendances the under 18s and under 21s have had at St Mary’s. Should they not play at St Mary’s either?

How about in their own ground where they'd feel more at home?

Own ground to be decided upon of course.

[AlexLaw76]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

Where else should they play? They had an attendance of 7k last season.

The 3,896 they had today is more than some attendances the under 18s and under 21s have had at St Mary’s. Should they not play at St Mary’s either?

Eastleigh

[Lord Duckhunter]

41 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Also really cheap, for families on a lower budget it's good introduction to live football. 

No it’s not. 
 

They’re better off going to a non league game. 

[Matthew Le God]

14 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

No it’s not. 
 

They’re better off going to a non league game. 

Are Eastleigh or Totton players better role models and inspirations for young girls than the Saints team?

[Matthew Le God]

1 hour ago, egg said:

It can't be great playing in front of an almost empty stadium.

They'd all but sell out Eastleigh's ground. Personally, I think a ground share would make much more sense. 

 

 

1 hour ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

How about in their own ground where they'd feel more at home?

Own ground to be decided upon of course.

 

1 hour ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Eastleigh

Playing at St Mary's has the benefit of being in central Southampton and more assessable for a larger number of people than Eastleigh's stadium and more of a wow factor for attracting youngsters to see the women's team. Plus revenue would be lost playing at Eastleigh as they'd need to be paid for hosting.

Edited 6 September, 2025 by Matthew Le God

[egg]

5 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

 

 

Playing at St Mary's has the benefit of being in centre Southampton and more assessable for a larger number of people than Eastleigh's stadium and more of a wow factor fir attracting youngsters to see thd women's team. Plus revenue would be lost playing at Eastleigh as they'd need to be paid for hosting.

I get that it's better for the fans, but from a player's pov, it must be better playing to a full ISH ground than an empty one. 

Financially, opening St Mary's must cost a few shekels and be a loss leader. 

[pingpong]

The men's team could get bigger crowds if they played in a bigger stadium in Birmingham or London. Why don't they, I wonder.

[Badger]

4 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

The spine of Goddard, Bashford and Primus looked decent.

Is that Linvoy Primus’ daughter ? 

[Matthew Le God]

1 minute ago, Badger said:

Is that Linvoy Primus’ daughter ? 

Yes

[Verbal]

43 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

No it’s not. 
 

They’re better off going to a non league game. 

"Chicks are pony."

[Matthew Le God]

7 minutes ago, pingpong said:

The men's team could get bigger crowds if they played in a bigger stadium in Birmingham or London. Why don't they, I wonder.

Because they are Southampton Football Club, not Birmingham FC or London FC.

Southampton women's team playing in central Southampton is not comparable.

[Football Special]

44 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

No it’s not. 
 

They’re better off going to a non league game. 

I don't disagree, big fan of non-league, but for young kids going to St Mary's was a good experience, I was given free tickets for them so from a cost perspective can't complain as well 

[Matthew Le God]

18 minutes ago, egg said:

I get that it's better for the fans, but from a player's pov, it must be better playing to a full ISH ground than an empty one. 

Financially, opening St Mary's must cost a few shekels and be a loss leader. 

They only open a few blocks of St Mary’s and don't require big police or steward numbers. Playing at Eastleigh sees them paying Eastleigh money and that reduces their potential income compared to it being at St Mary’s.

[Football Special]

1 hour ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Eastleigh

They are playing some home games there this season, Sunderland later in the month for example 

[whelk]

53 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

No it’s not. 
 

They’re better off going to a non league game. 

lol tell us about your son-in-law 

[AlexLaw76]

10 minutes ago, Football Special said:

They are playing some home games there this season, Sunderland later in the month for example 

plenty of teams share with lower/non league sides.. It is a half decent money spinner for them

Edited 6 September, 2025 by AlexLaw76

[Holmes_and_Watson]

1 hour ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

No it’s not. 
 

They’re better off going to a non league game. 

My dad was never going to go for a European tour watching Barcelona or Juventus, as my introduction to live football.

 

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Eastleigh is a pain in the arse to get to, especially if you want a beer before or after. If the women’s team played there I’m fairly sure they’d get significantly smaller attendances than they do at St Mary’s. 

[Matthew Le God]

13 hours ago, egg said:

I get that it's better for the fans, but from a player's pov, it must be better playing to a full ISH ground than an empty one. 

It has a wow factor for the players as well, compared to playing at a non league stadium.

 

 

[egg]

11 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

It has a wow factor for the players as well, compared to playing at a non league stadium.

 

 

That's understandable. It's shiny and new. A novelty. It's not them regularly playing to an almost empty stadium. 

Unless tickets are literally given away, the crowds won't increase. That's different to the mens under 21's who are getting used to playing in a bigger stadium as the hope is that they'll be playing in them week in and week out. It's a kind of attempt at 'levelling up'.

That all said, I don't follow the women's game and don't have an issue with where they play. It just feels gimmicky and unnecessary to me. 

Edited 7 September, 2025 by egg

[egg]

11 hours ago, for_heaven's_Saint said:

Eastleigh is a pain in the arse to get to, especially if you want a beer before or after. If the women’s team played there I’m fairly sure they’d get significantly smaller attendances than they do at St Mary’s. 

I think the crowd they're aiming for will want a fruit shoot before the game. 

[for_heaven's_Saint]

1 hour ago, egg said:

I think the crowd they're aiming for will want a fruit shoot before the game. 

Very true. Still think you’d get a lot smaller walk up. 

[East Kent Saint]

I think it's a good thing they play at St Mary's , they could probably go back to the old days and let supporters just come in and sit where they want .

[Holmes_and_Watson]

In terms of atmosphere, a lot of the smaller grounds have been great. Simply down to the numbers and capacity, like everywhere else.

There's been big WSL attendances, and those have excellent atmospheres too.

In terms of facilities, ease of access and a top ground to build towards the WSL, then St Mary's would be first choice. 

I've not heard a player not wanting to play in the big stadiums, so I take it that would be their choice too.

[Charlie Wayman]

20 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

Where else should they play? They had an attendance of 7k last season.

The 3,896 they had today is more than some attendances the under 18s and under 21s have had at St Mary’s. Should they not play at St Mary’s either?

I am aware of the growing presure for WSL teams to play at their home club Stadia, e.g Aresenal women play all their home fixtures at the Emirates, but they average 25k +/- crowds so they can probably break even on operating cost v income from gate receipts.

The lure of SMS might lift attendances for Saints women to maybe 7k (?) gates but surely it will not be economically sustainabale to use SMS even then.

Important fixtures for the youth sides which amount to 2/3 games per season are probably subsidised by the SFC. 

[Charlie Wayman]

19 hours ago, pingpong said:

The men's team could get bigger crowds if they played in a bigger stadium in Birmingham or London. Why don't they, I wonder.

That's daft!

[VectisSaint]

30 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

I am aware of the growing presure for WSL teams to play at their home club Stadia, e.g Aresenal women play all their home fixtures at the Emirates, but they average 25k +/- crowds so they can probably break even on operating cost v income from gate receipts.

The lure of SMS might lift attendances for Saints women to maybe 7k (?) gates but surely it will not be economically sustainabale to use SMS even then.

Important fixtures for the youth sides which amount to 2/3 games per season are probably subsidised by the SFC. 

Everton have not gone down this route, they now play at some old ground called Goodison Park, I gather the dugouts are to be admired.

[hypochondriac]

21 hours ago, Football Special said:

I think if they have a successful season and are in a promotion battle that will help the attendances. 

Also really cheap, for families on a lower budget it's good introduction to live football. 

Have to say my mates 7 year old girls went and had a cracking time. Think it's decent for things like that.

[Matthew Le God]

2 hours ago, Charlie Wayman said:

The lure of SMS might lift attendances for Saints women to maybe 7k (?) gates but surely it will not be economically sustainabale to use SMS even then.

Why not? They only open a small number of blocks and only need stewarding for those blocks. Policing costs won't be big either. They don’t expect things to kick off at women's games between rival fans like the men's game vs Pompey next week. So where is the economic issue?

Edited 7 September, 2025 by Matthew Le God

[Charlie Wayman]

2 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

Why not? They only open a small number of blocks and only need stewarding for those blocks. Policing costs won't be big either. They don’t expect things to kick off at women's games between rival fans like the men's game vs Pompey next week. So where is the economic issue?

We have different opinions on this. I think there is a very big economic issue

 

 

 

 

 

[egg]

2 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

Why not? They only open a small number of blocks and only need stewarding for those blocks. Policing costs won't be big either. They don’t expect things to kick off at women's games between rival fans like the men's game vs Pompey next week. So where is the economic issue?

Lights, ground staff, pitch wear and tear, incidental behind the scenes costs, catering, etc. There's more to hosting a game than stewards and police. 

I'd be staggered if we don't lose money for every home women's game. 

[Matthew Le God]

31 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

We have different opinions on this. I think there is a very big economic issue

What exactly?

20 minutes ago, egg said:

Lights, ground staff, pitch wear and tear, incidental behind the scenes costs, catering, etc. There's more to hosting a game than stewards and police. 

I'd be staggered if we don't lose money for every home women's game. 

It was a 2pm kickoff. No flood lights. 

Lighting in the concourse for only a few blocks open is minimal.

Catering isn't at a loss. The 3,800 people at the game today were buying food and drink. Catering is largely provided by teenagers/young adults on minimum wage.

Pitch wear and tear is minimal.

A few ground staff on duty for 4 or 5 hours is not a big expense.