Manchester United Women | The Pre Relaunch Thread

Denis79 said:
The problem isn't as much the quality of womens football as the lack of media coverage and hype around it, I've watched womens world cups, euros etc I found it quite entertaining frankly, lots of goals and constant attacking play and so on. Ofcourse you can't compare the football, mens football is run by countless millions of pounds and the players / managers / clubs are formed by it but I personally think it's a shame we don't have a womens team.
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We did a bit of research into it with UEFA and the key barriers were both practical and attitudinal - I'd say it's a little more complex than you're suggesting. Media coverage tended to be cited as the biggest barrier in most countries, particularly among women, but the perceived inferior speed and quality of the game, the lack of icons to identify with and the associated atmosphere at the matches all create significant attitudinal barriers in themselves. The UK is actually very progressive in its approach to women's football in terms of media coverage. It's definitely having an impact but there's lots more to tackle than just sticking it on the telly at primetime.
 
Brwned said:
We did a bit of research into it with UEFA and the key barriers were both practical and attitudinal - I'd say it's a little more complex than you're suggesting. Media coverage tended to be cited as the biggest barrier in most countries, particularly among women, but the perceived inferior speed and quality of the game, the lack of icons to identify with and the associated atmosphere at the matches all create significant attitudinal barriers in themselves. The UK is actually very progressive in its approach to women's football in terms of media coverage. It's definitely having an impact but there's lots more to tackle than just sticking it on the telly at primetime.
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The lack of technical ability in womens football I think is because very few of them can make a career out of the sport. Getting wages or sponsorships to fully dedicate to football from a young age and the few who do don't get the best circumstances to do so, coaches, facilities etc. But you're right it's not as simple as I put it. Many factors weigh in but money is unfortunately always a important aspect.
 
As the women's Euro nears with no United players in the squads, it's interesting to note there are British national teams with United products in their midst, as Northern Ireland with Lynda Sheperd. Sheperd (32) started out at Man United, but now plays for City due to obvious reasons.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynda_Shepherd

Sheperd played for England U23 and U19 before opting to play for NI, so could in theory at least have played for the Lionesses at the Euros.
 
Another girl with dreams - Levi Rathburn, who scored United's goal in the FA Youth Cup final against Arsenal last season.

'Levi, who has been with Manchester United since the age of 9 said, “I see football as being more than a hobby, in 10 years I’d love to see myself playing professionally and hopefully in a United Ladies team. Growing up with brothers made it easier to get into football, but with hard work and the right attitude anything is possible.”'

http://www.mufoundation.org/News/Ar...irls-and-Womens-day-at-Wythenshawe-Games.aspx
 
http://www.evertonfc.com/players/e/eh/emily-hollinshead

Young international moves between Man United and Everton! No, not Rooney, Fellaini or Lukaku, but Wales international Emily Hollinshead is another ex United girl going on to become capped for her country, though unfortunately not while donning the United colours.

Work well done by the Foundation staff, one would imagine.

This could have been one of our new supporters:

https://mobile.twitter.com/LauraGairOlaf/status/865482315618598915/photo/1
 
I'd love to see us have a women's side. My sister started with city at 12. Moved to United at 15. Had to leave at 18. Did a year or so with Oldham but sacked it off.

I don't care if it's less watched, I don't care if it's of no financial benefit to the club to have it. We don't have one and we should have one. United like to paint themselves as so progressive in many ways - but in truth we're run like a 1980's club in so many aspects.

Hopefully the current spotlight forces a re-think.
 
StephenH said:
I'd love to see us have a women's side. My sister started with city at 12. Moved to United at 15. Had to leave at 18. Did a year or so with Oldham but sacked it off.

I don't care if it's less watched, I don't care if it's of no financial benefit to the club to have it. We don't have one and we should have one. United like to paint themselves as so progressive in many ways - but in truth we're run like a 1980's club in so many aspects.

Hopefully the current spotlight forces a re-think.
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Started at city and moved to United, what a nice exception to the rule. A shame there was no opportunity further on.
 
My pal was married to one of the ladies in the team in the late 1980's...she was a really good player and very aggressive. She used to join us in five-a-side on a few occasions. Unfortunately she gave it up when kids came along and never really got back into it.

United should have a fully fledged United ladies team regardless of whether I want to watch it or not.
 
How many people that say we should have a womens team will actually go watch matches if we ever do get one?

Seems like the right thing to say, "we're behind the times! We need womens football", but in reality the vast majority of people couldn't care less.
 
I don't mind women's football

I'll watch England if they're on TV. They are better at crossing the ball then men and they don't play act or dive.
 
Mr. MUJAC said:
My pal was married to one of the ladies in the team in the late 1980's...she was a really good player and very aggressive. She used to join us in five-a-side on a few occasions. Unfortunately she gave it up when kids came along and never really got back into it.

United should have a fully fledged United ladies team regardless of whether I want to watch it or not.
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That's one of the best posts about this I've come across.
 
MarchingOn said:
How many people that say we should have a womens team will actually go watch matches if we ever do get one?

Seems like the right thing to say, "we're behind the times! We need womens football", but in reality the vast majority of people couldn't care less.
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Which is wholly irelevant. The majority of Manchester can't care less about Man United men's team even. Which is also irrelevant.

Castia said:
The first sentence just tells you everything you need to know about women's football. Fecking goalkeeper and striker...
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Woooooooooshhhh ...
 
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Which ones here will play for Man Utd in the Women's league? Or England?
 
In a small break from the lads' season kick off, some ex-red news from today's Guardian:

• The midfielder Katie Zelem has left Liverpool Ladies to join the newly launched Juventus women’s team. Kosovare Asllani has moved back to Sweden with Linkopings FC after an 18-month trophy-laden spell with Manchester City.

Katie Zelem is in part a United product, playing for Man Utd at U17 levels, and now at La Vecchia Signora. Good on you, Katie (and congrats on moving on from the Scousers ...)
 
Mr. MUJAC said:
My pal was married to one of the ladies in the team in the late 1980's...she was a really good player and very aggressive. She used to join us in five-a-side on a few occasions. Unfortunately she gave it up when kids came along and never really got back into it.

United should have a fully fledged United ladies team regardless of whether I want to watch it or not.
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One of the girls from our year at school was playing for United at that time. Saw them play a few times because of this and enjoyed the games, and I see no reason why we shouldn't have a team today.
 
Hi, I created a thread for this but thought you guys might be able to help:

I'm a journalist that writes about women's football and I'm writing a piece on Man United's old women's team. I want to chat to an ex player (pre-2005 when it ended) on what it was like for women to pull on the United shirt.
I'm struggling to find even a list of players. I was wondering if anyone on here knew anyone (don't have to be still playing) who was involved at that time.

Appreciate any help you can give,
Cheers
Suzanne
 
07:34KEY EVENT
United 'embarrassing' for not having women's team
It is something of an embarrassment to them now. Manchester United have to revisit this, ex-commercial director Andy Anson.

There are no excuses and no arguments. They have to make it happen.

I am embarrassed to admit the decision to close the senior women’s team down was taken when I was on the board.

GettyImages-107248075.jpg
 
Suzanne Wrack said:
Hi, I created a thread for this but thought you guys might be able to help:

I'm a journalist that writes about women's football and I'm writing a piece on Man United's old women's team. I want to chat to an ex player (pre-2005 when it ended) on what it was like for women to pull on the United shirt.
I'm struggling to find even a list of players. I was wondering if anyone on here knew anyone (don't have to be still playing) who was involved at that time.

Appreciate any help you can give,
Cheers
Suzanne
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Brilliant project!
 
Well done United, at least that'll shut everyone up now.
 
I wouldn't mind watching lovely ladies kicking football and representing Manchester United. :drool:
 
Giggsy will be managing them in ten years time.

Good luck to them, well done to the club for getting it going and shame on the club for taking so long.
 
Suzanne Wrack said:
Hi, I created a thread for this but thought you guys might be able to help:

I'm a journalist that writes about women's football and I'm writing a piece on Man United's old women's team. I want to chat to an ex player (pre-2005 when it ended) on what it was like for women to pull on the United shirt.
I'm struggling to find even a list of players. I was wondering if anyone on here knew anyone (don't have to be still playing) who was involved at that time.

Appreciate any help you can give,
Cheers
Suzanne
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Did you find a player from the 77-05 era? Brilliant of you to write this article:

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...move-better-late-than-never#comment-113886010

Funny sometimes how the big world and the RedCafe sometimes are not so far apart ...
 
Players who have been at United youth set up and who have international caps or first team experience for other teams:

Izzy Christiansen, England/Man City
Katie Zelem, England/Juventus
Gabbie George, England/Everton
Lynda Sheperd, N Irland/Man City
Emily Hollinshead, Wales/Sheffield United
Ellie Fletcher, England/Liverpool
Emily Ramsay, England/Liverpool
Levi Rathburn, England/Liverpool
Fran Kitching, England/Chelsea
Ella Toon, England(?)/Man City

Could Emma Fletcher manage some of these in a few tears time? Probably too late now, but the next generation will be interesting.
 
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