Women’s Super League

THE changing of the guard in the Women’s Super League means today’s Manchester derby assumes even greater significance.
Back in 2017, Casey Stoney sat in Old Trafford chief Ed Woodward’s London office, convincing him how she would build Manchester United women’s side.

Man Utd women celebrated their promotion to the Women’s Super League in 2019

Ed Woodward watching the women at the Leigh Sports Village in their maiden campaign in 2018

The women had been booted out a few months after Malcolm Glazer completed his takeover in 2005 because they did not benefit the club’s “core business”.
After years of criticism for their absence at the top of the WSL, United finally applied for a licence after a 13-year hiatus.
And they have already confirmed their arrival among the division’s elite.
They are now sitting pretty at the top of the table for the first time since they were reformed two-and-a-half years ago.

Boss Stoney said: “I went through an interview process, a stringent one. If I am honest, I never expected to get the job.
“When I heard I got the job all the cogs were turning about how I was going to do things.
“I went to the London office and met Ed and explained my vision for the women’s team.
“I gained an understanding of how the club were going to support me in achieving what I felt we could.

Casey Stoney has been at the helm of the club since it was reformed in 2018

Ella Toone sent the Red Devils top of the table for the first time ever with a late strike over Arsenal last time out

“It was a blank canvas — I was going to build this club from the bottom up.
“The first thing was to bring in players that I wanted, embed the philosophy that I believe in and create the environment I thought would work.
“The club allowed me to get on with it, they knew I knew women’s football better than they did.”
The ex-England captain worked alongside Lionesses boss Phil Neville as his assistant at the time — and it was the former United star who convinced her to apply.
She had just four weeks to assemble a team of 21 players and her backroom staff.
It did not take her long to capture hearts and minds in Manchester, when the club stormed to promotion from the Championship in their first season.
But United’s lengthy absence from the women’s game still rears its ugly head, with USA superstar Megan Rapinoe blasting it as “disgraceful” this week.
However, Stoney said: “She’s about two years too late for the comments, but people are going to have their say, it’s a big club.
“When you go to United you get used to that. It’s water off a duck’s back to me.
“I came in and everyone criticised the club for not having a women’s team, but I know the reasons why, when and how they wanted to do it properly.
“It wasn’t resourced with staff beforehand for it to be able to be done the way it is now. I believe we’re in a good place.”

USA icon Megan Rapinoe says it took a “disgraceful” amount of time for United to form a women’s side

United’s first top-flight game saw the WSL’s attendance record smashed as 31,213 turned up at the Eithad for the first women’s Manchester derby
The team play and train at Leigh Sports Village, 15 miles from the men’s Carrington HQ.
For Stoney, the next step is for her squad to have their own hub.
She said: “Carrington hasn’t got the capacity.
“The club are completely in agreement that if we move into Carrington it needs to have facilities that we can use at our times.
“We’re not adapting around anyone else.”
At lunchtime United face a Manchester City side who have lifted the WSL trophy once and are three-time FA Cup winners.
But this time United will be the favourites and City striker Ellen White is relishing the underdog tag.
She said: “That’s fine if everyone wants to put them as favourites. We concentrate on us.
“When they got promoted it was a really tasty and exciting prospect to play them.”

Watch Vivianne Miedema hit her 50th WSL goal to become the league’s all-time record scorer More

ENGLAND women’s home match against Norway, which was due to be played at Bramall Lane on December 1, has been axed.
The Norwegian Football Federation confirmed that it would be unable to travel due to Covid-19 restrictions in their country.

England women’s friendly with Norway has been axed due to coronavirus travel restrictions

The Lionesses are still due to report for a training camp later this month with talks underway to reschedule the fixture at a later date.
England boss Phil Neville said: “While I am disappointed for our fans and players, I fully respect Norway’s decision not to travel.
“These are still challenging times where health and safety for all is the most important thing to consider.

“We will still look to get the squad together for the final time this year, and continue the work we have been doing in integrating younger players and building for the future.”

England were forced to scrap their away fixture against Germany at the end of October due to a positive Covid-19 test from a member of the Lionesses’ backroom staff. 
The FA ultimately did not want to risk that this may happen to a player or member of the England staff. 

Lionesses in training More

BRISTOL CITY have confirmed that boss Tanya Oxtoby has tested positive for Covid-19.
The Robins chief will miss the upcoming fixtures against Tottenham and Lewes – but they will still go ahead as planned.

Bristol City boss Tanya Oxtoby has tested positive for coronavirus Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Oxtoby developed symptoms overnight on Monday and began self-isolating the following day as per government guidance.
She missed Tuesday’s training session and took a remote test – which returned positive on Wednesday.
The Australian manager said: “I’m wishing the girls the best of luck for the two games we have coming up.
“I’m gutted I won’t be able to be there and will be in contact and support the team where I can throughout my isolation,

“I would like to thank the club and the medical team for their support over the last 72 hours.”
City Men’s Academy Manager Gary Probert will come into support the coaching staff in the mean time.
All other COVID-19 results from the latest round of the club’s testing returned negative.
The Robins were forced to field a team of academy youngsters against Man City last time out after a Covid-19 scare in the shared housing of FIVE first team players left them all in self-isolation.

But Abi Harrison, Ella Mastrantonio, Charlie Wellings, Gemma Evans and Meaghan Sargeant have all since returned to training after negative test results.
SunSport exclusively revealed two weeks ago that the Robins had axed a training session amid rising numbers of infections in the area.
The WSL side train at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, and players expressed concerns about coming into contact with the virus at the North Bristol base.
Basketball side Bristol Flyers play their home games at the college, and had four members from their players and staff test positive for Covid-19 at the time.
The players were also worried that the disruption to their training session could affect their upcoming fixtures.
The Bristol side have already missed out on a match this season after an unnamed Aston Villa player tested positive for the killer virus.

Watch Vivianne Miedema hit her 50th WSL goal to become the league’s all-time record scorer More

ONE of the women’s game’s most powerful lobby groups has hit out at comments made by Greg Clarke – who quit as FA chairman today. 
The Wembley chief has come under fire from Women in Football who described his statements as “outdated” and “unacceptable”. 

Greg Clarke has resigned as FA chairman following controversial commentsCredit: PRU

Clarke made a series of gaffes, including controversial remarks on girls playing football, during a catastrophic grilling from MPs. 
The 63-year-old chair was discussing the need for diversity efforts to continue in the game with the Digital, Media, Culture and Sport Committee. 
Some of the comments that preceded the FA chief’s resignation include his use of the term “coloured” in reference to black players, and his apparent suggestion that being gay was “a life choice”. 

Greg Clarke (second from right) was discussing the FA’s diversity work with MPsCredit: PA:Press Association
And Clarke was also slammed for saying a women’s coach had told him that the lack of women’s goalkeepers was due to girls not liking the ball being kicked at them.

Following the debacle, the football boss faced a backlash on social media from female players past and present.

Women in Football CEO Jane Purdon, said: “In my playing days, I had a high tolerance of footballs being kicked hard at me.” 
A Women in Football statement, written before news of his sacking, read: “The use of outdated stereotypes in football – whether about girls, people of different ethnicities or heritages, or about sexuality – is unacceptable. 

In my playing days, I had a high tolerance of footballs being kicked hard at me. If you’re a girl and you feel the same, you’re in the right place. Join us at @WomeninFootball
— Jane Purdon (@JanePurdon) November 10, 2020

“It does reflect the football that we know and love, and it actively excludes people by seeking to generalise their unique experiences with a guess at what ‘people who look like them’ feel, experience and desire. 

“Our priority will always be to stand up for every girl, woman and non-binary person in football regardless of race, sexuality or ability. 
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with other groups and communities who have been affected by Mr Clarke’s comments.” 
Reading’s Danielle Carter and Natasha Harding and Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben-Moy, are among the WSL stars who criticised Clarke’s gaffes.
And Gunners defender Wubben-Moy urged football’s leaders to ‘be better’ and to ‘lead by example’.
Following his resignation, Clarke released a statement expressing sadness at the offence caused by his words. 

Just no excuses for this. Football is a game for all and if the so called “leaders” overseeing the game, advocating for inclusivity, undermine it with nonsense like this then there’s no wonder it’s such an issue in our sport. Got to be better. Lead by example or don’t at all. https://t.co/cFzuc9reN2
— Lotte (@lottewubbenmoy) November 10, 2020

In the statement, the ex-FA chairman said: “As a person who loves football and has given decades of service to our game, it is right that I put the interests of football first.
“2020 has been a challenging year and I have been actively considering standing down for some time to make way for a new Chair now our CEO transition is complete and excellent executive leadership under Mark Bullingham is established.
“My unacceptable words in front of Parliament were a disservice to our game and to those who watch, play, referee and administer it. This has crystallised my resolve to move on. 
“I am deeply saddened that I have offended those diverse communities in football that I and others worked so hard to include. 

Greg Clarke’s comments have been heavily criticised by influential figures in women’s footballCredit: PA:Press Association

“I would like to thank my friends and colleagues in the game for the wisdom and counsel they have shared over the years and resign from the FA with immediate effect.”
The FA say Peter McCormick will step into the role of interim FA Chairman with immediate effect.
Officials say the process of identifying and appointing a new chair will begin in due course.

FA Chairman Greg Clarke apologises for ‘coloured’ comment More

MEGAN RAPINOE has blasted the amount of time it took Manchester United to form a women’s team as “disgraceful”.
The USA World Cup winner discussed the state of women’s football in England and America in a no holds barred interview with the BBC.

⚠️ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

USA icon Megan Rapinoe reckons it took a “disgraceful” amount of time for United to form a women’s sideCredit: Reuters

Man Utd women’s side celebrated their promotion to the Women’s Super League in 2019
United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward announced the club’s plans to create a women’s side in March 2018 after a 13-year hiatus.
The Red Devils applied for a license after many years of criticism for their lack of participation at the top of the WSL.
A year after the team was founded the club secured promotion into the top-flight – with former England captain Casey Stoney at the helm.

Rapinoe told the BBC: “I think women’s football in England is the same as in America – it is so far behind because of what we’ve had to overcome in the lack of investment.
“It’s 2020. How long has the Premier League been around? And we’re only just seeing a club like Manchester United put effort and pounds towards a women’s team? Frankly, it’s disgraceful.”
In 2005, Malcolm Glazer completed his takeover of United and according to the Manchester Evening News, within a few months the women’s side were booted out as it wasn’t in their “core business” interests.
Credit to Stoney and the players, who have taken the club to TOP of the WSL in just three-years thanks to a huge win over big guns Arsenal last time out.

Two of Rapinoe’s USA teammates, Christen Press and Tobin Heath, joined United in the summer.

Ed Woodward went to watch the women’s side at the Leigh Sports Village in their maiden campaign in 2018Credit: Getty – Contributor

Their shirts outsold EVERY player in the men’s squad in the first three days of their release.
The Ballon d’Or winner, added: “I’ve had a few team-mates go abroad and play, while I’m training and trying to keep fit in the hopes that eventually we’ll be out of this hellscape.
“I want to keep playing. I’m definitely not anywhere near retirement – I absolutely want to play at the Olympics.
“After the Olympics I’ll have to take a longer look at the next three years. We’re a year closer to the next World Cup and it’s pretty enticing. We’ll leave that one out in the open…””
Rapinoe recently got engaged to Seattle Storm basketball player, Sue Bird, after four years together.

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ANOTHER lockdown brings so many challenges for all of us.
Sport on all levels is likely to be impacted in some way, but my mind immediately goes to the access of grass roots local sports clubs and youth-centres.

Former England and Arsenal right-back Alex Scott is now a TV punditCredit: PA:Press Association

Ex-Lincoln City manager Danny Cowley coaches his daughter’s under 12s football team.Credit: Dave Pinegar – The Sun

They are crucial and such a life-line to many families and kids.
Not only is it great exercise, but for many it’s an extended family, a community.
In my case, local sports was a chance and gateway for more opportunities and an exciting future.
These grassroots clubs really can become a pathway to success.

I will always be passionate about this, and in particular, I will remain a voice for lower income families accessing sports.
Whilst we must ensure we follow all clear safety guidelines in the current climate, when the time is right, it is crucial for youngsters of all ages and backgrounds to continue to be active and play sport. During the last lockdown, I was part of a Government task force looking at how and when sport could return.
As a team, it was our job to share ideas, solutions and advise – using the experience of our sporting careers, past and present.

There are some brilliant governing bodies, and experts representing different sectors and the Premier League.

My role however was to be a voice for the families who were struggling to access sport which means so much, to so many.
I will continue to be that voice during and after COVID-19, because 30 years ago, access to local sports changed my life forever.

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