[Football] ***Brighton and Hove Albion v Birmingham City, WSL, Amex, 14.00 KO***

[Ninja Elephant]

I think the standard of women's football is going to increase all the time and the more football clubs like ours who invest in the training facilities will continue to drive up the standard. And change the attitudes of the fans who think all money invested in the women's game is a bad investment. If the women's team started playing at Withdean regularly, I'd be far more likely to get involved, it's easier to get to, it's a throw back to the days of the Albion playing there and more regularly seeing the women's team would develop that engagement with them.

I didn't go to the game on sunday, partially because I'm only really interested in Emily Simpkins at this point - not the team as such.

 

[Beach Seagull]

Why would it be priced the same as the men's game, the standard is not, they don't get paid as much everything is relative, as are the differences throughout the leagues and non league. I think it is admirable we are at the forefront of this new beginning for the women's game and something to be very proud of. Why not, what is to lose, greater exposure for the club, city and women's football, it all has to start somewhere and we are lucky enough to have a chairman that wants to invest in every aspect of the game for this fine city, nothing is being taken away from the 1st team, get behind the club and city or just ignore it, but don't moan about it, it just sounds bitter and out dated.

They are always bleating on about parity with the men's game. I don't think it's admirable I think it's a total waste of time. Only just over 4k there yesterday despite giving tickets away. I could not give a stuff about Albion women's team and judging by the attendance yesterday I'm not the only one.

 

[Insel affe]

They are always bleating on about parity with the men's game. I don't think it's admirable I think it's a total waste of time. Only just over 4k there yesterday despite giving tickets away. I could not give a stuff about Albion women's team and judging by the attendance yesterday I'm not the only one.

Ok....

They are not asking for parity in wages, I think you are missing the point. I am not going to argue with you, it is your opinion and even though to me it seems outdated you are entitled to it. I have seen less at the Albion 1st team by the way, and thank feck people stuck by them and now look where we are....

But carry on fella, I loved the 70's too, but would never want to go back.....

 

[Beach Seagull]

Ok....

They are not asking for parity in wages, I think you are missing the point. I am not going to argue with you, it is your opinion and even though to me it seems outdated you are entitled to it. I have seen less at the Albion 1st team by the way, and thank feck people stuck by them and now look where we are....

But carry on fella, I loved the 70's too, but would never want to go back.....

All fair points mate.

 

[Simster]

They are always bleating on about parity with the men's game. I don't think it's admirable I think it's a total waste of time. Only just over 4k there yesterday despite giving tickets away. I could not give a stuff about Albion women's team and judging by the attendance yesterday I'm not the only one.

I seem to remember this utterly shit argument being used by various nimbys before the Amex was built. "They don't even need it, they can't even get 6,000 at Withdean".

Women's football has to start somewhere, and gates are already MILES up on what they were even 2 years ago. If the Albion women's team played in in a pleasant 9,000 seater stadium at Lancing, they'd be filling it every week in about 5 years time.

Meanwhile, if you don't have any interest in the women's game, then don't go and don't open threads like this one. Some of us have daughters though, and don't much care for your tedious ill-considered misogyny.

 

[dazzer6666]

I seem to remember this utterly shit argument being used by various nimbys before the Amex was built. "They don't even need it, they can't even get 6,000 at Withdean".

Women's football has to start somewhere, and gates are already MILES up on what they were even 2 years ago. If the Albion women's team played in in a pleasant 9,000 seater stadium at Lancing, they'd be filling it every week in about 5 years time.

Meanwhile, if you don't have any interest in the women's game, then don't go and don't open threads like this one. Some of us have daughters though, and don't much care for your tedious I'll considered misogyny.

Absolutely this. Any stadium plan will be factoring in expected growth. It's fairly meteoric at the moment. BHA women got a much bigger crowd than Crawley men this weekend.

 

[Beach Seagull]

I seem to remember this utterly shit argument being used by various nimbys before the Amex was built. "They don't even need it, they can't even get 6,000 at Withdean".

Women's football has to start somewhere, and gates are already MILES up on what they were even 2 years ago. If the Albion women's team played in in a pleasant 9,000 seater stadium at Lancing, they'd be filling it every week in about 5 years time.

Meanwhile, if you don't have any interest in the women's game, then don't go and don't open threads like this one. Some of us have daughters though, and don't much care for your tedious ill-considered misogyny.

I am entitled to go on and post on any thread I like. A misogynist is someone who hates women, so how can be me saying I've got no interest in women's football make me a women hater? I know the 'in' thing to be into is women's football but its a passing fad.

 

[Insel affe]

I know the 'in' thing to be into is women's football but its a passing fad.

Ok I will tell my daughter who is part of roughly 50% of the population of the world, this then, as I rip down her posters and throw her boots and kit away.

 

[Stat Brother]

I am entitled to go on and post on any thread I like. A misogynist is someone who hates women, so how can be me saying I've got no interest in women's football make me a women hater? I know the 'in' thing to be into is women's football but its a passing fad.

I guess it's an easy label as you appear to hate everything outside of your Daily Mail bubble.

 

[Simster]

I am entitled to go on and post on any thread I like. A misogynist is someone who hates women, so how can be me saying I've got no interest in women's football make me a women hater? I know the 'in' thing to be into is women's football but its a passing fad.

A misogynist is not a woman hater, it is someone who is strongly prejudiced against women. And sorry, but that is exactly how you are coming across.

Look we all get it - the standard of women's football isn't close to the men's game. Nobody is forcing you to like it. But what marks you out as a misogynist is your assertion that what funds are sent in the direction of the women's side of the club should instead go to the men. I strongly suspect the level of investment in the women's arm of the club are healthy compared to other clubs, but still absolutely pitiful compared to the mens and boys investment. Either we are a club for the community or we're not. Either we try to attract 30,000 a game to Premier league games from across society locally (gay straight, men women, black white whatever) or we don't. You can't alienate women and girls in our crowd by denying them the opportunities to trial, play for, or just watch women in our club colours.

As I say, you don't like the women's game? Fine, just ignore it then. But don't arrogantly assert that any money being sent to women's football should go towards funding the men's. They get plenty already.

 

[Billy the Fish]

They are always bleating on about parity with the men's game. I don't think it's admirable I think it's a total waste of time. Only just over 4k there yesterday despite giving tickets away. I could not give a stuff about Albion women's team and judging by the attendance yesterday I'm not the only one.

Each to their own, nobody is trying to force you to like it. I doubt there'll ever be parity with the men's game but if you want to compare it I think the quality is nearing a lower league standard. If WSL is a waste of time then surely every man's game at every part of the lower league pyramid is also?

 

[Beach Seagull]

I guess it's an easy label as you appear to hate everything outside of your Daily Mail bubble.

I like plenty of things I can assure you. But yeah I'm no right on liberal type it's fair to say. Dangerous thing to admit on here!!

 

[CheeseRolls]

I will repeat what I have said before. Bloom is totally committed to advancing all of the Brighton and Hove Albion's teams, including the Women's team who under his stewardship have gained a double promotion and play in the top league, the women's super league. They play against Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea, all containing the worlds best, highly paid footballers.

Like the U21 and U23's boys teams, who have made similar jumps to the top leagues they are holding their own and all have been given the best coaches and facilities needed to suceed..

Bloom and AMEX are investing in excess of £25 million building the women and girls teams their own facilities at Lancing, a center and 3 new pitches.

https://www.brightonandhoveindepend...-for-brighton-and-hove-albion-women-1-9140149

They currently train on pitches at the University the first team used under Micky Adam teams trained. So its obvious they want to build and have their own stadium. 1200 girls play football with Albion (AITC) academy's, and Bloom and the Albion want as many as possible players to progress into women's professional football and play international football. It is a booming sport and we are at the forefront of promoting and developing it. If Bloom had invested this amount of money into Micky Adams team we would be so excited and hoping to see improvement and a rise up the pyramid, just like we have seen in the womens and U23 teams.

AITC also run sides for the blind, autistic, deaf, cerebral palsy and people with mental heath issues.

Its all Bloody amazing and knocks my socks, it gives me goose bumps just thinking about all this investment and hard work involved. I try and make as many Brighton U23 games, Sussex senior cup games and womens games as I can on top of the first team games home and away. I am proud of anyone that puts on the club shirt and want to support them in their playing careers. So if 10 people, 500 people or 10,000 people attend any of these games well done to them for getting off the internet and supporting this club at all levels.

More than 75,000 people watched WSL games at the weekend, 38.5K at White Hart Lanes, Arsenal selling out a 3K away section. 23.5K at Anfield and Chelsea sold out Kingsmeadow over 4.5K. Our attendance sits just under these.

I have no problem if people are only bought into first teams Mens football but the Albion are a lot more than just that, I for one love it and at all levels the future looks good.

I am not really interested in the WSL. I have no daughters and can't see a reason why I would go out of my way to watch a game any time soon. I do think though that it is a great idea. The crowd profiles that you have outlined are similar to club rugby union just after the game had turned professional. A few big crowds, some pockets of loyalty and other areas where the game needed to develop a following. In the past decade the standards and the crowds have developed markedly. Let's see what the WSL looks like in 5 years time. I think the club may be able to develop both a new income stream and with some overlap a new fan base (probably not built around grumpy old blokes). Some of our old school fans need to chill out and or be a little more patient. Like the academy, results take a little while to reflect the investment made.

 

[blue-shifted]

I seem to remember this utterly shit argument being used by various nimbys before the Amex was built. "They don't even need it, they can't even get 6,000 at Withdean".

Women's football has to start somewhere, and gates are already MILES up on what they were even 2 years ago. If the Albion women's team played in in a pleasant 9,000 seater stadium at Lancing, they'd be filling it every week in about 5 years time.

Meanwhile, if you don't have any interest in the women's game, then don't go and don't open threads like this one. Some of us have daughters though, and don't much care for your tedious ill-considered misogyny.

I’m totally supportive of women’s football, and I was at the game yesterday, but I find the idea of trying to build a new stadium which is just for the women’s game ridiculous. If we ever get to the position where we can sell a significant number of tickets for actual money then possibly it would be worth going back through the planning headaches and expense of doing it. If not, how much money do we want to lose on this? We might not be in the Premier League for ever.

We’re already adapting the training facilities in Lancing, though importantly, this is so the women can train there instead of at the university. There is no suggestion that we’re looking at converting any of those training pitches into an actual stadium, let alone one which can hold, 5, 7 or 9 thousand. We’d never get it through the objections from the local residents, who could fairly say that they were sold a training ground on their doorstep, not a stadium and actually there are other places, like the Amex where the ladies team, can play.

 

[blue-shifted]

A misogynist is not a woman hater, it is someone who is strongly prejudiced against women. And sorry, but that is exactly how you are coming across.

Look we all get it - the standard of women's football isn't close to the men's game. Nobody is forcing you to like it. But what marks you out as a misogynist is your assertion that what funds are sent in the direction of the women's side of the club should instead go to the men. I strongly suspect the level of investment in the women's arm of the club are healthy compared to other clubs, but still absolutely pitiful compared to the mens and boys investment. Either we are a club for the community or we're not. Either we try to attract 30,000 a game to Premier league games from across society locally (gay straight, men women, black white whatever) or we don't. You can't alienate women and girls in our crowd by denying them the opportunities to trial, play for, or just watch women in our club colours.

As I say, you don't like the women's game? Fine, just ignore it then. But don't arrogantly assert that any money being sent to women's football should go towards funding the men's. They get plenty already.

And a couple of points on that.

The mens football is the one generating the money and our future prosperity (and ability to subsidise womens and disabled football) depends on staying where we are, so it’s reasonable to make the point that we can’t afford to lose focus on this.

You say, “we are either a community club or we’re not”. And “you can’t alienate girls and women” All fair enough, but this was in the context of us building a new stadium. In other words spending many 10s of millions of pounds. Again, I think legitimate to ask, is this the best use of money?

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Tony is a clever man, with a clever strategy. All aspects of the future success of the club are linked.

For those that dislike woman's football - think ahead a couple of decades when the girls and woman that will have a stronger sense of inclusion within this club have families of their own with bhafc in their blood.

Live and let live. The club is stronger for it.

 

[blue-shifted]

Tony is a clever man, with a clever strategy. All aspects of the future success of the club are linked.

For those that dislike woman's football - think ahead a couple of decades when the girls and woman that will have a stronger sense of inclusion within this club have families of their own with bhafc in their blood.

Live and let live. The club is stronger for it.

So yeh, from a purely business point of view (not that’s why Tony continues to subsidise the women’s team, he does it because it’s the right thing to do) you can just look at this as a loss leader. We can attract new people to the Albion, new families of young fans who we don’t currently talk to and who would never have considered going to a game.

Some will get the bug and we’ve got new fans for life.

In 20 years time, the population of the Amex might look a little bit less middle aged and ugly than it does now.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

And a couple of points on that.

The mens football is the one generating the money and our future prosperity (and ability to subsidise womens and disabled football) depends on staying where we are, so it’s reasonable to make the point that we can’t afford to lose focus on this.

You say, “we are either a community club or we’re not”. And “you can’t alienate girls and women” All fair enough, but this was in the context of us building a new stadium. In other words spending many 10s of millions of pounds. Again, I think legitimate to ask, is this the best use of money?

To answer these specific points:

1. None of the personnel involved in the women's team, are involved in the men's teams, so there's no 'loss of focus' that is going to affect the latter.

2. No money spent on the women's team or facilities, is money that could have been spent on the men's side anyway. It's all completely separate from FFP calculations, so is simply additional money that Tony Bloom wishes to gift the club / city over and above what he is allowed to invest in the men's first team.

 

[Stat Brother]

Fingers crossed a new 7,500 stadium will be built as it should be able to accommodate all the supporters of Brighton & Hove Albion.

At least then all those who seem hell bent in finding fault with every single decision the club makes, can also get titsy about not going to matches.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

And a couple of points on that.

The mens football is the one generating the money and our future prosperity (and ability to subsidise womens and disabled football) depends on staying where we are, so it’s reasonable to make the point that we can’t afford to lose focus on this.

You say, “we are either a community club or we’re not”. And “you can’t alienate girls and women” All fair enough, but this was in the context of us building a new stadium. In other words spending many 10s of millions of pounds. Again, I think legitimate to ask, is this the best use of money?

I believe the club runs at a loss. Bloom has spent multi millions of pounds on the first team and the multi millions of pounds in sponsorship from AMEX is also used at all levels.

Bloom will spend money on a smaller stadium, it is just the way big modern clubs do it. Be it next to the AMEX, by buying a non league club or at the old cement factory at Bramber, he will make it happen.

It may be a 4G pitch and used every day, but it will the home of scores of Albion teams. Why spend £25 million pounds developing the women and girls training ground, then play in Crawley, which I believe Bloom and the club do not like. They want to play in the local vicinity of Brighton and Hove.

Bloom started spending his money when he took us over in league one, in fact most the big money was invested at all levels in facility's when we were in the championship.

We do not pay for any of this, yet through my ST I get free access to U23 games and women's games at the AMEX and Lancing/Crawley. We are just small investors handing over our ST and ticket/beer money, which allow them to balance the football fair play books.

As I said before I am happy with anyone just supporting the mens first team, however Bloom is building and spending his fortunes growing a club that is so much more than just that team. I for one embrace it and am happy being part of this journey.