What it is like to be a travelling WSL fan

Being A WSL Fan On The Road: Tough Times With Kick-offs And Lavatories

Travelling to West Ham alongside Manchester United supporters provides insight into what is both positive and negative when it comes to away fans in women's football.

When the coach carrying Manchester United fans arrives at Watford Gap Services on the southbound side at 10:30 am, the passengers have already been singing Taylor Swift songs, discussing Irene Guerrero and her limited play time and even singing a creative Katie Zelem chant that cleverly links "fake tan" with "Zidane". Instead of drinking beer, they have been sharing tasty homemade treats since the journey kicked off at 8am. It is a women's Super League away day experience like no other.

When I finally reached the away section of the Chigwell Construction Stadium in Dagenham for a West Ham women's team game, I instantly caught a whiff of chicken and mushroom pies in the crisp air. The stewards were directing people to keep moving along in the walkway, and the line for the women's toilets was so long that it extended out the door. On the other hand, there were absolutely no lines for the men's restrooms.

The visitors' section is completely filled and the supporters, consisting of a balanced mix of males and females, are loud even though United was only able to secure a draw at 1-1. Prior to the game, many proponents express their desire for the club to retain England's rising star, Grace Clinton, who is presently making a name for herself while on loan at Tottenham. Meanwhile, a few individuals brought along a "Skinner Out" placard, which will be discussed further on. Nevertheless, they are also deeply committed to numerous topics affecting all Women's Super League fans who go watch matches live.

Unfair Game Schedules Cause Inconvenience

One of the biggest worries for football fans is the scheduling of games. They feel that TV coverage is more important than giving fans a good experience, and they are frustrated by the lack of advance notice for game dates and times. Even matches that are only a few days away may not have their schedules announced until the last minute. Fans were particularly unhappy this year when they had to wait until Friday before the dates and times for the March 30-31 matches in the Women's Super League were finally confirmed.

Last November, Manchester United received a schedule with a 6.45pm Sunday kick-off for their game against Brighton. While the upcoming match against West Ham with a 3pm start time is preferred by most, many still recall that this particular fixture was scheduled for a 6.45pm start last season.

One dissatisfied supporter remarks that the team played against Tottenham in the evening before Christmas, while Arsenal and Chelsea faced each other in the morning. The fan wonders why this is so and speculates that it might be because the other teams did not have to travel very far.

According to Telegraph Sport, it is believed that there will be more consistent WSL games held on Friday nights and Saturday evenings next season, but this idea has elicited both positive and negative reactions. For instance, Hannah has been a fan of the United women's team since they were restored in 2018 and frequently travels from Wales to watch their games. However, Hannah explains that scheduling games on these nights could be problematic for individuals who need to request time off from work or those who have family commitments. As a result, this proposal would definitely have an impact on some fans.

The commitment of the fans is evident, however, the scheduled start times of matches are troublesome and it affects the attendance. This is contradictory to the essence of football as it is meant to be enjoyed by the supporters. Additionally, we only become aware of the timing issues a few weeks prior to the event.

No Dedicated Zones For Visiting Fans

The supporters' club member, Deborah Henry, is putting in a lot of effort to make sure that there is a designated section for away fans at every game. This game already has an away section in place. Deborah mentions that it is essential to have an area specifically for the opposing team's supporters, so that there is no mixing unless people explicitly wish to do so. This separation is crucial to avoid any tense moments during the game, which could detract from the fun and enjoyment.

The main point is feeling at ease and being able to share in the elation with fellow supporters of your team when a goal is scored. During a game against Leicester while we were located in the opposing team's area, we were singing and noticed some children who seemed uneasy. This could have been prevented if they were in an area designated for home fans and we were in a section for away supporters.

Men's Facilities Built Here

Different supporters remember uncomfortable bathroom-related situations. One occasion was when the lights were not functioning in the ladies' restrooms at Walsall's Bescot Stadium during a game against Aston Villa. "We made use of our mobile phone lights to see," a fan recounted. Another instance was during a Women's Champions League qualifier with Paris St-Germain, where the women's restrooms in the away area weren't even accessible. But, what frustrates fans equally is the use of "terrible" portable toilets at Arsenal and Chelsea's grounds in Borehamwood and Kingsmeadow, correspondingly. West Ham, at the very least, has long-standing bathroom facilities.

Several supporters appear to appreciate the raw atmosphere of these more compact venues, like Kristoffer, a Norwegian living in London who has supported Manchester United since the 90s. He explains that "it feels more personal, it draws fans nearer to the players. It's a step up from the larger arenas. Plus, I appreciate the rates of the tickets; they make it feasible for me as a Manchester United admirer to attend their matches."

In May 2021, Andy Slater founded "Barmy Article," a fanzine for the women's team. Before that, he had been a season-ticket holder for the men's team for 21 years, but not anymore since 2017. Slater mentioned that he has been to magnificent stadiums as a men's football fan. However, as a women's football fan, he went to several different grounds that he would have never considered before, which he enjoys. However, he admitted that some of these football grounds are not up to par.

If you attend a highly anticipated game in the top tiers of the Women's Super League and find poorly maintained portable restrooms, it's simply unacceptable. There's absolutely no reason why these clubs, which have ample financial resources, cannot provide their fans with at least basic amenities.

A woman who is supporting the cause expressed that the facilities seem to be created primarily for men.

Fans Cheer For Sir Jim Ratcliffe & Marc Skinner

Ever since Manchester United reconstructed their women's senior team in 2018, the fan base has expanded tremendously. Initially, they required only a bus with nine seats to transport the supporters for away games, but now, an 88-seater coach is frequently used. Additionally, they deployed seven coaches to transport fans to the Women's FA Cup final at Wembley in May of last year.

However, these supporters believe that the Glazers have not kept up with the growing interest in the women's team and are sending a direct message to new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Connor Roberts is the host of the All for United WFC podcast and he's requesting something straightforward: "Invest in the team." He believes that the team is already great and there are many talented young players emerging. So, he's urging the owners to establish a formal structure above the manager to truly make a concerted effort to succeed because the team's foundation is already strong.

Andy concurs, desiring a crew of female soccer experts to attain prominent positions beyond the field. He suggests, "Appoint individuals who possess expertise in the field. Allow football professionals to manage football-related responsibilities."

Ratcliffe proposed constructing a new stadium for the men's team and possibly allowing the women's team to use Old Trafford as their home field. Zoe expressed her support for the idea, stating that she would love for the women's team to play at Old Trafford, as it holds significant history and heritage that should not disappear entirely due to a possible uninspiring reconstruction. Instead, dedicating it solely to the women's team would be an excellent solution.

The matter of head coach Marc Skinner's future is one that lacks consensus among many. This is due to the fact that his contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

Conner spoke before the game and stated that it's a difficult decision to make. People will have different views on it, but he believes that it's time for a change. He thinks that starting anew would be the best option.

A supporter from Greater Manchester contributes, "His constant discussion about needing additional funding is not the way to go. Instead, it should be about making everyone feel appreciated. While on international assignments, you can tell that players are much more content. I believe this has a lot to do with him."

During the match, a cluster of supporters exhibited a DIY banner with the words "Skinner Out" written on it. As the game progressed, their feelings of dissatisfaction increased and the banner was lifted high at the conclusion of the match. A Wythenshawe-based fan named AJ expressed that the group still stands behind the players, but no longer backs the manager.

As they boarded the bus following the match, three supporters expressed their sentiments simultaneously, stating: "It's imperative that he gets dismissed."

The trainer needs to leave for sure, and after talking about the game, everyone enjoys a good laugh during the five-hour trip back to the parking lot meeting spot at Old Trafford.