Women’s Football

[aintforever]

My other half and daughter had a fantastic time at the game on Saturday, they were there from 11.30 buying food and drink and blew over £120 in the club shop. I’ve been a few times to the Ladies games at SMS and it is a decent day out, even if it is a loss leader it makes sense to try and build up a fan base. Not surprised by the negativity on here though, usual dinosaurs spouting bollocks.

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

I'm not disputing its a good day out and a way to build up the fanbase.

I'm asking if a more personal stadium works better for the women's team or not.

Similar to what the London City team have done.

[Matthew Le God]

15 minutes ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

I'm not disputing its a good day out and a way to build up the fanbase.

I'm asking if a more personal stadium works better for the women's team or not.

Similar to what the London City team have done.

They do not own their own ground. They use Bromley's stadium.

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

Sorry but did I say that the London City Lionesses bought their own ground?

So not sure what your point is. 

[Football Special]

Will be interesting to see how Everton get on having Goodison as home ground for the women , I think this had more to do with having no buyers for the land rather than a need for them to have a stadium though 

 

[Turkish]

8 hours ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

I'm not disputing its a good day out and a way to build up the fanbase.

I'm asking if a more personal stadium works better for the women's team or not.

Similar to what the London City team have done.

It is the obvious answer to so that. Maybe they could do an arrangement with Eastleigh or Totton to use their stadiums which would be suitable for most matches and it seems to be what other clubs do. They’d also make some profit on it rather than is make a probable loss Chelsea play at Kingsmeadow and Man City play at their academy stadium so it’s not some radical, misogynistic suggestion that it might be a good idea we do similar 

highly amusing that if anyone suggests it though they’re dinosaurs talking bollocks 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Turkish]

8 hours ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

Sorry but did I say that the London City Lionesses bought their own ground?

So not sure what your point is. 

That London City Lionesses are run by dinosaurs who talk bollocks

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

I genuinely want anything related to Saints to do well. Whether its the women's team or other teams in the SR portfolio I am interested on what's going on.

If the women's team enjoys playing at St Marys then so be it. 

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

I genuinely want anything related to Saints to do well. Whether its the women's team or other teams in the SR portfolio I am interested on what's going on.

If the women's team enjoys playing at St Marys then so be it. 

Yep and same for England. However if you dare to say anything that doesn't toe the party line of how amazing it all is then you immediately get jumped on by those who are desperate to jump on the bandwagon of any cause going. Any even suggestion otherwise is having a problem with it.

Look at this thread, a few people raise the rightly valid point that it probably costs the club to play matches at St Marys and would it be better to play them elsewhre at a smaller ground, you know like what Chelsea, Man City, London, Everton, Spurs etc all do and you get jumped on for being a dinosaur talking bollocks 😂

[hypochondriac]

2 hours ago, Turkish said:

It is the obvious answer to so that. Maybe they could do an arrangement with Eastleigh or Totton to use their stadiums which would be suitable for most matches and it seems to be what other clubs do. They’d also make some profit on it rather than is make a probable loss Chelsea play at Kingsmeadow and Man City play at their academy stadium so it’s not some radical, misogynistic suggestion that it might be a good idea we do similar 

highly amusing that if anyone suggests it though they’re dinosaurs talking bollocks 🤣🤣🤣🤣

I'd do that and then any higher profile game or final or something they could play at SMS. Seems pretty sensible to me. 

[Weston Super Saint]

2 hours ago, Turkish said:

Yep and same for England. However if you dare to say anything that doesn't toe the party line of how amazing it all is then you immediately get jumped on by those who are desperate to jump on the bandwagon of any cause going. Any even suggestion otherwise is having a problem with it.

Look at this thread, a few people raise the rightly valid point that it probably costs the club to play matches at St Marys and would it be better to play them elsewhre at a smaller ground, you know like what Chelsea, Man City, London, Everton, Spurs etc all do and you get jumped on for being a dinosaur talking bollocks 😂

Meh. We already finance Goztepe and Velencienne so why not the women's team as well?

After all, What's the point of being net spend champions (again) if you don't splash some cash on shit that doesn't benefit the team!

[ecuk268]

Looks like they've got Russell Martin's brother as manager:

 

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1742093976485103&rdid=5RCdjLJEVBCijMDi

[Lord Duckhunter]

On 06/09/2025 at 20:09, Matthew Le God said:

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

Yes…

Come and play a substandard level of football whilst a load of nods pretend you’re really good, isn’t actually inspiring . It’s condescending pony…

[Miltonaggro]

5 hours ago, Turkish said:

It is the obvious answer to so that. Maybe they could do an arrangement with Eastleigh or Totton to use their stadiums which would be suitable for most matches and it seems to be what other clubs do. They’d also make some profit on it rather than is make a probable loss Chelsea play at Kingsmeadow and Man City play at their academy stadium so it’s not some radical, misogynistic suggestion that it might be a good idea we do similar 

highly amusing that if anyone suggests it though they’re dinosaurs talking bollocks 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Build it and they will come...

 

[Turkish]

42 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Yes…

Come and play a substandard level of football whilst a load of nods pretend you’re really good, isn’t actually inspiring . It’s condescending pony…

I wonder if there is some bellend on Tottenhams forum arguing that their women should not play at Orient as their players aren't good enough role models for them. 

 

[Fabrice29]

4 hours ago, Turkish said:

Yep and same for England. However if you dare to say anything that doesn't toe the party line of how amazing it all is then you immediately get jumped on by those who are desperate to jump on the bandwagon of any cause going. Any even suggestion otherwise is having a problem with it.

Look at this thread, a few people raise the rightly valid point that it probably costs the club to play matches at St Marys and would it be better to play them elsewhre at a smaller ground, you know like what Chelsea, Man City, London, Everton, Spurs etc all do and you get jumped on for being a dinosaur talking bollocks 😂

I don’t think there’s any point in trying to implement money making ideas around the ground in the form of bars/shops and a climbing wall or whatever it is in the future if you turn away opportunities for people to spend time at the venue. 

No idea what the over heads of it all are but I suspect even if they are losing money today they are hoping that young people enjoying their time at the ground will encourage them to do so more in the future. 

[samcrocker]

The women's team used to play at Totton and were getting decent enough crowds, but there were no other opportunities around the game for additional engagement/monetisation. Totton were keeping the bar & food money, and I think had a deal where Saints were paying for pitch renovations and upgrades.

I'm sure the bean counters have factored in the costs of hosting at SMS versus paying Totton and worked out that if you're getting an additional 4k visitors to the stadium where you have already invested in the fan zones and infrastructure then that would likely mean additional income directly to SFC. It's a slightly different demographic, that also then has a reason to visit the club shop, the Dell Bar, & the upcoming "arcade" space at a time it would otherwise be virtually dormant.

I'd also be surprised if there is not some sort of PSR loophole where we can offset some of the stadium/groundskeeping costs against the women's side of the club.

To be quite blunt, as much as "it's nice for them to play at SMS" the club wouldn't have committed to it if they would be in a worse position than if they were paying for the use of someone else's ground.

[AlexLaw76]

7 minutes ago, samcrocker said:

The women's team used to play at Totton and were getting decent enough crowds, but there were no other opportunities around the game for additional engagement/monetisation. Totton were keeping the bar & food money, and I think had a deal where Saints were paying for pitch renovations and upgrades.

I'm sure the bean counters have factored in the costs of hosting at SMS versus paying Totton and worked out that if you're getting an additional 4k visitors to the stadium where you have already invested in the fan zones and infrastructure then that would likely mean additional income directly to SFC. It's a slightly different demographic, that also then has a reason to visit the club shop, the Dell Bar, & the upcoming "arcade" space at a time it would otherwise be virtually dormant.

I'd also be surprised if there is not some sort of PSR loophole where we can offset some of the stadium/groundskeeping costs against the women's side of the club.

To be quite blunt, as much as "it's nice for them to play at SMS" the club wouldn't have committed to it if they would be in a worse position than if they were paying for the use of someone else's ground.

Women’s football is not included in PSR. You have to assume that includes all costs associated with it

[Matthew Le God]

5 hours ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Yes…

Come and play a substandard level of football whilst a load of nods pretend you’re really good, isn’t actually inspiring . It’s condescending pony…

It isn't substandard for girls to watch. If they ever want to play football it is only one league below the pinnacle league of domestic football they can play in. It is more inspirational watching role models doing something they can do, than watching non league men's football. 

[Lord Duckhunter]

7 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

It isn't substandard for girls to watch. If they ever want to play football it is only one league below the pinnacle league of domestic football they can play in. It is more inspirational watching role models doing something they can do, than watching non league men's football. 

What a load of old pony, sexist pony at that. 

[Matthew Le God]

4 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

What a load of old pony, sexist pony at that. 

Which part and why?

[suewhistle]

My irony meter has just exploded.

Ducky complaining about sexism!

 

[Lord Duckhunter]

2 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

Which part and why?

It’s pretty obvious isn’t it. You’re treating birds differently, they can’t have male role models, shouldn’t watch non league because they’re not good enough to play at that level, and never will be. Stick to your own game pet, proper football isn’t for you…

[Matthew Le God]

10 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

It’s pretty obvious isn’t it. You’re treating birds differently, they can’t have male role models, shouldn’t watch non league because they’re not good enough to play at that level, and never will be. Stick to your own game pet, proper football isn’t for you…

Strawman. I did not say that.

[skintsaint]

4 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Women’s football is not included in PSR.

Luckily for them otherwise all the teams would be ditching the women's footie. I thought I read that the whole top league was running at a loss.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

37 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Strawman. I did not say that.

Strawperson. Stop being so sexist. 🙂

[Turkish]

10 hours ago, skintsaint said:

Luckily for them otherwise all the teams would be ditching the women's footie. I thought I read that the whole top league was running at a loss.

Wait until they bring in equal pay when they’re paying Russo, Kelly and all £300k a week on 4000 crowds

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, Turkish said:

Wait until they bring in equal pay when they’re paying Russo, Kelly and all £300k a week on 4000 crowds

We should have not scienza, fellows and Azaz, and funnelled the money to the saints women’s team to fill the gap

[egg]

15 hours ago, samcrocker said:

The women's team used to play at Totton and were getting decent enough crowds, but there were no other opportunities around the game for additional engagement/monetisation. Totton were keeping the bar & food money, and I think had a deal where Saints were paying for pitch renovations and upgrades.

I'm sure the bean counters have factored in the costs of hosting at SMS versus paying Totton and worked out that if you're getting an additional 4k visitors to the stadium where you have already invested in the fan zones and infrastructure then that would likely mean additional income directly to SFC. It's a slightly different demographic, that also then has a reason to visit the club shop, the Dell Bar, & the upcoming "arcade" space at a time it would otherwise be virtually dormant.

I'd also be surprised if there is not some sort of PSR loophole where we can offset some of the stadium/groundskeeping costs against the women's side of the club.

To be quite blunt, as much as "it's nice for them to play at SMS" the club wouldn't have committed to it if they would be in a worse position than if they were paying for the use of someone else's ground.

I can't agree with that. Although we don't know the numbers, the operational costs of playing to an almost empty St Mary's will be high. I think this is more about being seen to be partially levelling up with the men, and being seen to promote the women's game, than money.

That all said, I've got a mate who took his 4 year old daughter. She loved it apparently. He's a massive saints fan and said that the lack of a crowd, people shouting and bawling, and more kids around made it a nice environment for her. Back in the day I took my girls to staplewood and reserve matches at St Mary's for similar reasons, although I got to watch a reasonable standard of football. 

[East Kent Saint]

When's the international break over ?

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

22 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

I'd do that and then any higher profile game or final or something they could play at SMS. Seems pretty sensible to me. 

I would agree with this. It then makes everytime you go to Marys a good day out.

It might be overkill doing it every weekend. 

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

14 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

It isn't substandard for girls to watch. If they ever want to play football it is only one league below the pinnacle league of domestic football they can play in. It is more inspirational watching role models doing something they can do, than watching non league men's football. 

 

14 hours ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

What a load of old pony, sexist pony at that. 

Have to agree with MLG here. In my opinion I would have thought girls would be more likely to look up to women playing the sport and before relatable for them. 

The WSL get the players to come back out on the pitch afterwards or something to that effect and interact a little with the fans.

Don't know if that happens in WSL2 but appreciate the idea of the players building up a rapport with the fans.

[Fabrice29]

21 minutes ago, egg said:

I can't agree with that. Although we don't know the numbers, the operational costs of playing to an almost empty St Mary's will be high. I think this is more about being seen to be partially levelling up with the men, and being seen to promote the women's game, than money.

That all said, I've got a mate who took his 4 year old daughter. She loved it apparently. He's a massive saints fan and said that the lack of a crowd, people shouting and bawling, and more kids around made it a nice environment for her. Back in the day I took my girls to staplewood and reserve matches at St Mary's for similar reasons, although I got to watch a reasonable standard of football. 

The club being seen to ‘level up’ as you put it is perfectly reasonable isn’t it? That’s a perfectly normal take that doesn’t need to be caveated with a standard of football dig.

2 minutes ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

I would agree with this. It then makes everytime you go to Marys a good day out.

It might be overkill doing it every weekend. 

Shall we do that for the mens matches too? Pick and choose when it might be a good day out. 

[Turkish]

22 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

I'd do that and then any higher profile game or final or something they could play at SMS. Seems pretty sensible to me. 

 

10 minutes ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

I would agree with this. It then makes everytime you go to Marys a good day out.

It might be overkill doing it every weekend. 

I assume thats what Arsenal do. They had 3 crowds of over 40k last season and one of of 50k at the Emirates. They also had crowds of less than 4k regularly so i believe they mix it between the Emirates and Meadow Park which makes absolute sense.

Just out of interest the average WSL attendance across all clubs last season was 6.8k. Of all teams 10 of the 12 clubs averaged less than 7.5k. Arsenal were highest at 28k almost 3 times bigger than the next club (chelsea), helped by the 4 massive attendances they got with the 50k one seems to be more at that single game than half the WSLs team got in total all season. Even they had a number of attendances below 4k.

I was surprised how poor the attendances were given and the huge promotion we've had of womens football the last few years. The pattern seems to be the same for all the top womens clubs, a handful of very big attendances across a season for the one off game with averages outside of that around the 3-4k for all other top clubs, conference level crowds. For the rest barely even Conference South/North levels. 

[Turkish]

15 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

The club being seen to ‘level up’ as you put it is perfectly reasonable isn’t it? That’s a perfectly normal take that doesn’t need to be caveated with a standard of football dig.

Shall we do that for the mens matches too? Pick and choose when it might be a good day out. 

when Saints are getting regular crowds 10% of the capacity then you might have point. Until then you dont.

[egg]

16 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

1. The club being seen to ‘level up’ as you put it is perfectly reasonable isn’t it? That’s a perfectly normal take that doesn’t need to be caveated with a standard of football dig.

2. Shall we do that for the mens matches too? Pick and choose when it might be a good day out. 

1. No. It's virtue signalling. It's not doing something on merit or for commercial reasons. The youngsters (male) get to play there as they're being developed, and that includes development for playing in bigger stadia. The women won't do that. 

2. Ridiculous comment. The men will never struggle to sell out 4k seats, especially when they're all but being given away. Imagine if tickets at the weekend were even half the mens price. I'd hazard a guess the attendance wouldn't have broken 4 figures. 

[Fabrice29]

4 minutes ago, Turkish said:

when Saints are getting regular crowds 10% of the capacity then you might have point. Until then you dont.

I explained earlier why potentially from a business point of view the club might prefer St Mary’s than ground sharing with someone and you didn’t respond. 

There was a fans forum for both the men and women’s team earlier this season that you could have posed these questions at if you really fancied figuring out the reasoning, did you not go? 

[Turkish]

4 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

I explained earlier why potentially from a business point of view the club might prefer St Mary’s than ground sharing with someone and you didn’t respond. 

There was a fans forum for both the men and women’s team earlier this season that you could have posed these questions at if you really fancied figuring out the reasoning, did you not go? 

No i didn't because i have a life.

and your "business point of view" was the club hoping young people enjoy the day out 😂

Here's the rub, hope is not a business reason.

Edited 9 hours ago by Turkish

[Fabrice29]

4 minutes ago, egg said:

1. No. It's virtue signalling. It's not doing something on merit or for commercial reasons. The youngsters (male) get to play there as they're being developed, and that includes development for playing in bigger stadia. The women won't do that. 

2. Ridiculous comment. The men will never struggle to sell out 4k seats, especially when they're all but being given away. Imagine if tickets at the weekend were even half the mens price. I'd hazard a guess the attendance wouldn't have broken 4 figures. 

It’s not as ridiculous as a comment as women can enjoy St Mary’s as a ‘good day out’ once in a while or should earn it on ‘merit’. As if the team being set up by the club itself isn’t merit enough. 

[Turkish]

2 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

It’s not as ridiculous as a comment as women can enjoy St Mary’s as a ‘good day out’ once in a while or should earn it on ‘merit’. As if the team being set up by the club itself isn’t merit enough. 

Okay it wasn't ridiculous, it was fucking stupid

Another one to add to the collection, like the one about a business reason being to lose money hoping kids have a good day out 😂

19 hours ago, Fabrice29 said:

I don’t think there’s any point in trying to implement money making ideas around the ground in the form of bars/shops and a climbing wall or whatever it is in the future if you turn away opportunities for people to spend time at the venue. 

No idea what the over heads of it all are but I suspect even if they are losing money today they are hoping that young people enjoying their time at the ground will encourage them to do so more in the future. 

 

[Fabrice29]

5 minutes ago, Turkish said:

No i didn't because i have a life.

and your "business point of view" was the club hoping young people enjoy the day out 😂

Here's the rub, hope is not a business reason.

It wasn’t thought was it? I’d explain it again but you probably won’t have time to read it because of your life. 

[Turkish]

Just now, Turkish said:

No idea what the over heads of it all are but I suspect even if they are losing money today they are hoping that young people enjoying their time at the ground will encourage them to do so more in the future. 

 

Just now, Fabrice29 said:

It wasn’t thought was it? I’d explain it again but you probably won’t have time to read it because of your life. 

This was your business reason to do it. Even if they're losing money they hope young people enjoy it.  

[egg]

1 minute ago, Fabrice29 said:

It’s not as ridiculous as a comment as women can enjoy St Mary’s as a ‘good day out’ once in a while or should earn it on ‘merit’. As if the team being set up by the club itself isn’t merit enough. 

All views are welcome, but I see it as a levelling up gimmick, and not something done on merit per se. Duck's point appears to be that doing that is condescending, and he's got a point. 

I see one of the women players from time to time and when I see her next I'll ask her how the players feel. 

[Fabrice29]

1 minute ago, Turkish said:

Okay it wasn't ridiculous, it was fucking stupid

Another one to add to the collection, like the one about a business reason being to lose money hoping kids have a good day out 😂

 

Do you really need someone to explain the business principles behind wanting people to visit the venue you own? 

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, Fabrice29 said:

Do you really need someone to explain the business principles behind wanting people to visit the venue you own? 

can you explain why its a good business decision to let them come if every time you do it you're losing money?

[Fabrice29]

1 minute ago, egg said:

All views are welcome, but I see it as a levelling up gimmick, and not something done on merit per se. Duck's point appears to be that doing that is condescending, and he's got a point. 

I see one of the women players from time to time and when I see her next I'll ask her how the players feel. 

Yeah ask her if she feels more condescended by playing for Southampton at their home ground or a bloke called egg on an internet forum, who has said himself that he doesn’t watch the women’s game, telling her she hasn’t earned the right to play at the holy venue but can do so every once in a while on merit. 

[Turkish]

4 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

Yeah ask her if she feels more condescended by playing for Southampton at their home ground or a bloke called egg on an internet forum, who has said himself that he doesn’t watch the women’s game, telling her she hasn’t earned the right to play at the holy venue but can do so every once in a while on merit. 

Ah merit , great point - kind of how top level sports works pal.

You do know It's not a 6 year olds infants sports day where everyone gets a medal. Or get to play in a tournament and be filled with wonder at playing in a proper stadium. You kind of have to earn it at that level.

Edited 9 hours ago by Turkish

[egg]

4 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

Yeah ask her if she feels more condescended by playing for Southampton at their home ground or a bloke called egg on an internet forum, who has said himself that he doesn’t watch the women’s game, telling her she hasn’t earned the right to play at the holy venue but can do so every once in a while on merit. 

Her view will be interesting, and I'd imagine she loves novelty of the big stadia. I wonder how she'd feel if the tickets weren't so heavily subsidised meaning the crowd was half or less. Soulless I'd imagine. 

Please feel free to highlight where I've said what you say I have (save for not watching it). 

 

 

[egg]

9 minutes ago, Turkish said:

can you explain why its a good business decision to let them come if every time you do it you're losing money?

To be fair, assuming half the crowd are kids and half adults, chat GPT estimates that the crowd the other day was close to break even, only losing half a million or so over the season. Bargain. 

[Fabrice29]

14 minutes ago, Turkish said:

can you explain why its a good business decision to let them come if every time you do it you're losing money?

Your busy life really does get in the way of understanding a basic concept huh? How much are they losing each time then? Is it any different to a men’s team getting 3k a week attendance but still carrying on? Why does any club that’s losing money continue to do it each week?

 

11 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Ah merit , great point - kind of how top level sports works pal.

You do know It's not a 6 year olds infants sports day where everyone gets a medal. Or get to play in a tournament and be filled with wonder at playing in a proper stadium. You kind of have to earn it at that level.

What level? They are in the 2nd division just like the men’s team are. The club have entered a team into the women’s league. That’s merit enough. I appreciate you need to be seen as a misogynist on here to keep up your character but this idea that St Mary’s is a proper stadium and women can only grace it when you say they’ve reached a certain level is off the scale