keaton
Big heart, hot blood and balls. Big balls
- Nov 18, 2004
- 9,972
Brighton full-back Katie Robinson.Is that 'we' like Bobby Zamora was always 'our' Bobby even when he played for other clubs?
[Albion] Brighton's women's team - what's going on
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I have to be pissed to talk shit like that
ChickenBaltiPie
Well-known member
- Jan 3, 2014
- 937
The women were getting battered by the U18’s, so they now play one of the university teams and get battered by them…..
As for hope she’s actually very lovely in my experience.
I think an unfortunate turn of phrase has yet again given rise to a few comments about whether a women's team could beat a men's team. The answer is simple - it's very unlikely.
We all know now, it's the same game played in a different way. Is it better? Probably not. Is it as enjoyable? Probably, yes. Of course, there will always be people who disagree and disagreeing is fine. After all, I enjoy all types of football, but I really disliked watching Stoke play when they were in the top flight. I'm sure some people loved their style of play. I hated it. Is it still football and entertainment? Yes.
To the point on the 'product' being sustainable that's a thorny one. The sport is growing. Who would have thought that a couple of thousand would be turning out to watch a Brighton women's team just ten years ago? The rise in interest is there, and we are effectively putting right a wrong i.e. the banning of professional football for women by our FA. It's going to take time, therefore it should be a loss maker for clubs that can afford to put things right.
On the Albion's plight right now, I simply think that Hope has not been able to move at the same pace as the game. I do think that she's lost some vital players and perhaps the recruitment set up is not as well connected as the men's side. But, she had the investment and admitted as much at the start of the season, even if she didn't sound that positive: https://www.skysports.com/watch/vid...ghton-have-invested-ahead-of-tough-wsl-season
Some of the summer signings haven't even played for the first team yet. You have to wonder whether Powell thought they were astute signings. Perhaps there has been a bit of a breakdown behind the scenes. And losing Maya Le Tissier was probably a bit of a confidence blow. I'm not really close enough to it all, but it's a shame. Again, it feels like a few monied clubs are going to control this league again and strangle competition.
We all know now, it's the same game played in a different way. Is it better? Probably not. Is it as enjoyable? Probably, yes. Of course, there will always be people who disagree and disagreeing is fine. After all, I enjoy all types of football, but I really disliked watching Stoke play when they were in the top flight. I'm sure some people loved their style of play. I hated it. Is it still football and entertainment? Yes.
To the point on the 'product' being sustainable that's a thorny one. The sport is growing. Who would have thought that a couple of thousand would be turning out to watch a Brighton women's team just ten years ago? The rise in interest is there, and we are effectively putting right a wrong i.e. the banning of professional football for women by our FA. It's going to take time, therefore it should be a loss maker for clubs that can afford to put things right.
On the Albion's plight right now, I simply think that Hope has not been able to move at the same pace as the game. I do think that she's lost some vital players and perhaps the recruitment set up is not as well connected as the men's side. But, she had the investment and admitted as much at the start of the season, even if she didn't sound that positive: https://www.skysports.com/watch/vid...ghton-have-invested-ahead-of-tough-wsl-season
Some of the summer signings haven't even played for the first team yet. You have to wonder whether Powell thought they were astute signings. Perhaps there has been a bit of a breakdown behind the scenes. And losing Maya Le Tissier was probably a bit of a confidence blow. I'm not really close enough to it all, but it's a shame. Again, it feels like a few monied clubs are going to control this league again and strangle competition.
Totally agree. I absolutely loved the Euro's and it's a thousand pities from the Albion's point of view that we couldn't cash in on the feelgood factor because our team is so unappealingly shit (relatively speaking) and has actually gone massively backwards.
But that's not the point I was making... A League Two side would most likely beat a WSL side on account of being physically stronger and being build differently. My point was that WSL football is better to watch than your average Stockport v Wrexham match.
All subjective though obviously
Huge opportunity missed sadly. Lewes have more than doubled their gates so far this season.
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Off course WF not the same standard as men and that is irrelevant. Nor is Tennis etc . It is whether it is as entertaining which in my opinion it is no where near and that is after watching a few Albion games. I know have to start somewhere but find it hard to understand how a side of this standard is full time. Big occasions like internationals help to add to atmosphere and of course standard is at its highest.
Perhaps hardest to understand is how the club spent millions on training facilities and very little on replacing leavers with at least equal quality. Unless club thought replacements were just as good.
Perhaps hardest to understand is how the club spent millions on training facilities and very little on replacing leavers with at least equal quality. Unless club thought replacements were just as good.
It’s the way TB does it. Invest in the infrastructure first.
But, even tho it’s cheap, I wouldn’t pay to watch ladies football. I have little interest in it other than wanting BHA and England teams to win.
Where to play is definitely the big issue (well ok currently being shit is).
Attendance is maybe 1000 for matches in Crawley. Amex matches, though obviously a novelty, getting five times as many.
Finger in the air stuff but any much closer stadium seating 3000 to 10000 seems in order.
So Culver road, capacity 2000. Be lovely this exact moment but no room to grow .
Dripping Pan - 3000. Bit of leeway, not big enough longer term, ideal location. Lewes would rightly tell us to f*** off though.
Enclosed ground - 3126. As above. Whitehawk a bit less likely to tell us to f*** off.
Priory Lane. - 4151. Right capacity for a few years, Eastbourne a bit of a hike but definitely Sussex and the sort of place where you meet someone on holiday and they say they are from Brighton but it turns out they're from there. Did groundshare with Langley quite recently.
Everything else existing I'm thinking is too far away or too small.
That then leaves a purpose built ground. That takes a while. I'm guessing planning considerations make a 10k stadium at the training centre a no go. Transport would also be a pig if it did fill up. With youth teams, PL2 and the odd event would be reasonably self sufficient though.
Attendance is maybe 1000 for matches in Crawley. Amex matches, though obviously a novelty, getting five times as many.
Finger in the air stuff but any much closer stadium seating 3000 to 10000 seems in order.
So Culver road, capacity 2000. Be lovely this exact moment but no room to grow .
Dripping Pan - 3000. Bit of leeway, not big enough longer term, ideal location. Lewes would rightly tell us to f*** off though.
Enclosed ground - 3126. As above. Whitehawk a bit less likely to tell us to f*** off.
Priory Lane. - 4151. Right capacity for a few years, Eastbourne a bit of a hike but definitely Sussex and the sort of place where you meet someone on holiday and they say they are from Brighton but it turns out they're from there. Did groundshare with Langley quite recently.
Everything else existing I'm thinking is too far away or too small.
That then leaves a purpose built ground. That takes a while. I'm guessing planning considerations make a 10k stadium at the training centre a no go. Transport would also be a pig if it did fill up. With youth teams, PL2 and the odd event would be reasonably self sufficient though.
hart's shirt
Well-known member
The gate attendances at Crawley have so far shown an increase after the Euros.
Home attendances in 2022 before the Euros:
1,743 Brighton v Chelsea
1,345 Brighton v Man City
1,159 Brighton v Reading
2,535 Brighton v Arsenal
1,206 Brighton v Birmingham
1,371 Brighton v Everton
Home attendances in 2022 after the Euros
5,220 Brighton v Reading (Amex game)
3,626 Brighton v Chelsea
2,514 Brighton v Tottenham
(All attendances as reported on BBC Sport.)
Playing at Crawley is still a major factor in crowd size, but there's still the question of underlying interest levels.
There's clearly more than before as seen in the numbers. But it was never likely to be as explosive as the BBC's hype.
Even the first home game v Reading after the Euros didn't break the 2019 Amex attendance record for a WSL game.
I'm not sure it's a missed opportunity as much as reassuring much-needed growth on the back of a successful tournament.
Not strenthening the squad (and worse, allowing it to be massively weakened) is the missed opportunity. Those crowds won’t stick around to watch 8-0 drubbings.
hart's shirt
Well-known member
Yes, I was coming at it from a different angle of attendances rather than quality of squad.
Of course, strengthening the squad (or even maintaining it) would come at a increased cost. The financial info has already been shown graphically earlier in the thread, so there's no need to rehash it here. But suffice to say, expenditure currently far outweighs income. Would bringing in 2-3 more players and adding to expenditure bring thousands more through the turnstiles to cover their additional outlay? Doubtful. Even as a Albion fan, it's reasonable to expect that Tony's charity has some degree of limitation when it comes to business decisions.
In January 2022, 1,345 people watched a 0-6 drubbing at home to Man City. The numbers have increased since then. We all know that big scoreline reversals are possible against big teams. And unless there's a whole lot of new supporters of the women's game to replace those who attended before, it doesn't look like it's put them off.
Have to remember there’s a minimum ground capacity hence why the training ground isn’t suitable
Tom Hark Preston Park
Will Post For Cash
- Jul 6, 2003
- 72,348
There must be a suitable capacity ground far nearer than Crawley shirley? I mean Crawley isn't even in the same county as the Albion men's team FFS
Believe it’s 6000 in WSU
Edit 1900 but I’m sure a report I read it was 6000, which stopped us using the training ground.
zeetha
Well-known member
- Apr 11, 2011
- 1,363
Nice goodbye message from Hope on Instagram
Shame her tenure at Brighton ended the way it did but her position was untenable after the result Sunday, but she handled it well and stepped down quickly unlike some would have done. Yes her tactics were negative and old-fashioned at times (we always had a good laugh when the whiteboard came out during a game!), but I think she was hamstrung this season by the changes in the team (surely not all her choice). We have used the least number of players in the WSL this season and the least number of subs which goes to show how light our squad is. I also think there is more going on behind the scenes than we know of.
Such a shame that this season is going the way it is after the investment in the training ground, the published plan to be a top 4 side, and the success of the Lionesses. The Womens game is at the beginning of some major changes in terms of the money being invested by some clubs, the wages being offered to top players (and agents starting to be used) and the length of contracts. All needed but obviously going to cause some disruption especially to a club like Brighton that has a more limited player budget than some.
Amy Merricks has a tough job to motivate the team for Sunday away, but at least there won't be som much pressure on them as nobody will be expecting much. Fingers crossed we appoint the new manager (don't think Merricks will be it whatever happens on Sunday) soon and they can help to keep us up at least this season.
Thanks to Hope to all that she has achieved with Brighton and Womens football in general, and UTA!
Shame her tenure at Brighton ended the way it did but her position was untenable after the result Sunday, but she handled it well and stepped down quickly unlike some would have done. Yes her tactics were negative and old-fashioned at times (we always had a good laugh when the whiteboard came out during a game!), but I think she was hamstrung this season by the changes in the team (surely not all her choice). We have used the least number of players in the WSL this season and the least number of subs which goes to show how light our squad is. I also think there is more going on behind the scenes than we know of.
Such a shame that this season is going the way it is after the investment in the training ground, the published plan to be a top 4 side, and the success of the Lionesses. The Womens game is at the beginning of some major changes in terms of the money being invested by some clubs, the wages being offered to top players (and agents starting to be used) and the length of contracts. All needed but obviously going to cause some disruption especially to a club like Brighton that has a more limited player budget than some.
Amy Merricks has a tough job to motivate the team for Sunday away, but at least there won't be som much pressure on them as nobody will be expecting much. Fingers crossed we appoint the new manager (don't think Merricks will be it whatever happens on Sunday) soon and they can help to keep us up at least this season.
Thanks to Hope to all that she has achieved with Brighton and Womens football in general, and UTA!
Apologies. I wasn't even aware that Burnley had a womens team. I only watch WSL and follow WSL & Championship sides.
So good news, there are two clubs who have appointed two BAME managers although it is fair to say that neither of Burnley's managers are managing "top flight" sides and so their exposure will be more limited than BHAFC's (former) BAME managers.
Thanks for those stats. Arsenal and Chelsea are currently the best sides in the league and therefore the most attractive. Both of those teams also have a healthy (by WSL standards) away following. Playing those games at Crawley probably made it an easier trip for the away fans than many BHAFC supporters.
However, given that by far our best home attendence was against Reading at the Amex it does suggest that Brighton Women need to be playing in Brighton to attract the largest support.
To my mind, the "prestige" games, against the top sides, with sizeable away followings, should have been slated for the Amex rather than picking the (significantly) less attractive games against Reading and Villa. It certainly wouldn't have been my pick for the two Amex games.