Bampton hails ‘pure passion’ of Hayes and reflects on Croydon triumphs ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea duel

THE FA Cup holds a special place in the heart of Debbie Bampton, whose old club Arsenal play Chelsea in the contest semis later.

The retired Lioness is thought to be the first female player-manager to steer a team to a Women’s Premier League and FA Cup double.

Debbie Bampton (on the right) scored for Arsenal when they won their first Women’s FA Cup in 1993Credit: Action Images

Her successes highlighted in the book entitled ‘A History of the Women’s FA Cup Final’, include helping Arsenal to win the contest for the first time 29 years ago.

Renowned for her rampaging midfield play Bampton, was on the scoresheet that day, in April 1993 in Oxford.

The Gunners, managed by Vic Akers, dispatched the Doncaster (Rovers) Belles 3-0 in front of a 3,457 crowd.

Bampton, who lives in Eastbourne, said: “Arsenal are the team I’ve supported all my life so (the win) was pretty special.

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“It was the year after I had come back from (playing in) Italy

“Vic was the major guy back then who led the team to success”

While Bampton, who now works for Royal Mail, enjoyed that moment, it is her first FA Cup win with Croydon of which she has the fondest memories.

In 1996 she played for and managed the side then skippered by Brighton boss Hope Powell, that beat Liverpool on penalties.

And the club also won the Women’s Premier League before going on to retain the title the following season.

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Bampton added: “I had two seasons Arsenal and as much as I love them as a club, the love I had for Croydon was different. It was like a family.

“We had talents like Hope and Brenda Sempare – who was a brilliant player.

“We used to have nans and grandfathers come with us on coaches to games and boyfriends and girlfriends too.

“I used to include them all, but that never took away from our professionalism.

Hope Powell led Croydon to a Women’s FA Cup win in 1996Credit: PA

“What we created there as double league champions was really, really special and something I will treasure as just as much as I do my first England cap.”

Today Bampton’s old side will attempt to reach this season’s FA Cup final with boss Jonas Eidevall targeting his first silverware win in England.

They face the formidable task of attempting to end Chelsea’s run with Emma Hayes’ team looking to dispatch the Gunners as they did in last year’s cup final.

In Hayes, Bampton sees a head coach who shares same passion she has for the game.

Bampton admires the success Emma Hayes has bought to ChelseaCredit: PA

Bampton said: “What I like about Emma (Hayes) is her pure passion for football. Her coaching abilities are second to none.

“You can see it when you watch her on the touchline.

“And I liked that went she was asked about the Wimbledon job she replied why would I (leave) when I’m managing Chelsea.

“Things like this show how far women’s football has progressed.”

The Women’s FA Cup and wider game has evolved since Bampton hung up her boots in 2000 after a career that her honoured in the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame.

And the top-flight game becoming professional is something Bampton sees as one of the sport’s most important milestones

The former England captain added: “I can remember sitting at the airport 23 years ago when I stopped playing for England and I thought ‘we have got to be full-time to compete’.

“At the time Germany were probably 15 years ahead of us and we used to beat American sides and they caught up with us.

Arsenal hope to avenge their loss against Chelsea in last year’s delayed FA Cup finalCredit: Getty

“As full-time players, our footballers can now compete with the very best.

“We took too long to progress, but now we seem to have caught up quite quickly.

“We’ve got to keep progressing. I believe we’re close to becoming European or world champions.”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

Bampton hails ‘pure passion’ of Hayes and reflects on Croydon triumphs ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea duel

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