Page 7 | To love football but have no interest whatsover in women's football league

Eastie77Returns · 2023-09-29T17:50:37+00:00

I've been a football fan since childhood and have attended matches for years. Both DS and DD play and I'm really glad they've both taken to the sport. DD's best friend also plays and her mum sent me a message the other day suggesting we take the girls to watch a WSL game. I support a Premier League team so not always easy to get tickets whereas their women's team (one of the teams in the game the mum suggested we watch) always has availability. I feel bad for admiting this but I have zero interest in Women's football. I have been to a few games but it's just not the same. I simply can't get as engaged as I do watching the men's game and I really don't care if the women playing for the team I support win or lose. I admitted this to the mum and she was shocked! I got the feeling she feels I am literally letting the side (our side) down.😭

Chchchanging · 30/09/2023 18:07

No one is worth £1m a week.

Rainonatent · 30/09/2023 18:12

Probably internalised sexism tbh, lots of women have it.
I actually much prefer the women’s game, the men spend half the time crying on the floor.

I get the thing about growing up with men’s football and nostalgia, but sexism caused that. The next generation could grow up with the memories of watching the women’s teams, that’s how change happens.

Original poster

Eastie77Returns · 30/09/2023 18:13

pantypant · 30/09/2023 17:48

@Eastie77Returns Once more for the back row:-

I TAKE MY DD TO WSL GAMES

Actually what you said was that you HAD taken her in the past. You also said...

If I’m bored stiff watching WSL why should I continue taking my DC just because women are playing. It doesn’t make sense.

So my comment stands and frankly makes a whole lot more sense than yours.

We do many things that are boring because ya know.... parenting.

And my follow up comment stands: why am I the parent judged for not wanting to take her to something that bores me when she has two parents. Her dad can take her, no?

Anyway all of this parenting martyrdom is so silly “I hate taking DC to xxx but I do it every week because it’s what loving mums do” You do you.

I take DD to her football training session every week and will be driving her around as she now plays for the first team and I’ll be driving her to venues. Plus extra training. But I’m a terrible parent because I don’t also want to take her to games I don’t enjoy.

I’ll give her the number for Childline now.

OP posts:

Original poster

Eastie77Returns · 30/09/2023 18:17

Rainonatent · 30/09/2023 18:12

Probably internalised sexism tbh, lots of women have it.
I actually much prefer the women’s game, the men spend half the time crying on the floor.

I get the thing about growing up with men’s football and nostalgia, but sexism caused that. The next generation could grow up with the memories of watching the women’s teams, that’s how change happens.

“The next generation could grow up with the memories of watching the women’s teams, that’s how change happens”

….is literally what I wrote a few posts back.

How can “growing up with men’s football and nostalgia” be sexist😂

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enchantedsquirrelwood · 30/09/2023 18:21

What I don't understand about football is why the mens and womens games are constantly compared. We don't do this with other sports and castigate eg Laura Muir for not running the Mile as fast as Jakob Ingebritsen.

Mens sport and womens sport are not the same so lets stop comparing them.

Normalsizedsalad · 30/09/2023 18:26

Can the issue also be, on top of different atmosphere etc, that we are told that as women we should stop pleasing others and not do things they want us to do yet in a same breath we are told we must support women's team even jf we don't particular enjoy it because we have same chromosomes?
Pressure of "you must" always ruins things for me no matter how good they would be

theduchessofspork · 30/09/2023 18:30

I know fuck all about football but presumably it just needs a generation to catch up on quality. I’m guessing it will get better pretty fast.

In the meantime as a football fan and the mother of daughters, suck it up and support it a bit. I do see where the other mum is coming from.

comfyshoes2022 · 30/09/2023 18:31

It’s fine to like what you like. But I think the skill level explanation doesn’t make sense as the true explanation - if you support a team, you support it when the skill level is both high or low, and the skill will vary a lot over the years.

Personally I much prefer watching women’s football. I find the players much easier to root for.

pantypant · 30/09/2023 18:33

@Eastie77Returns why are you so angry?

User135644 · 30/09/2023 18:40

Rainonatent · 30/09/2023 18:12

Probably internalised sexism tbh, lots of women have it.
I actually much prefer the women’s game, the men spend half the time crying on the floor.

I get the thing about growing up with men’s football and nostalgia, but sexism caused that. The next generation could grow up with the memories of watching the women’s teams, that’s how change happens.

Men did invent football and most of the professional men's teams (which now have women's teams equivalents) date back to the 19th century.

Original poster

Eastie77Returns · 30/09/2023 18:42

Normalsizedsalad · 30/09/2023 18:26

Can the issue also be, on top of different atmosphere etc, that we are told that as women we should stop pleasing others and not do things they want us to do yet in a same breath we are told we must support women's team even jf we don't particular enjoy it because we have same chromosomes?
Pressure of "you must" always ruins things for me no matter how good they would be

This.

As women we all surely agree that women have the right to agency and to choose what they like or do not like. To not feel obliged to visit somewhere they do not want to.

Except when it comes to supporting other women or making our children happy (in my case, the two coincide on this occasion).

In this situation I should ‘suck it up’ and just crack on with continuing to do something I don’t enjoy. Because not doing so is a) a huge disservice to the sisterhood and b) all mums know they have to do things they don’t like for the sake of their children. Even if another parent or adult is available to pick up the slack as in my case.

I mean it’s all a bit crazy.

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Ladybrrrd · 30/09/2023 18:53

And instead of just not going (which is your right), you've started a whole thread calling the women's teams boring and unskilled. Invited others to come on and talk about how shit women's football is compared to the mens. Nice one 👏 That sort of attitude is sure to help the game grow and inspire girls to take up the sport. 😊

Original poster

Eastie77Returns · 30/09/2023 19:37

pantypant · 30/09/2023 18:33

@Eastie77Returns why are you so angry?

Mate...my (men’s) team won today and I got to watch a great match😁😁

Two of the teams I intensely dislike lost.

Luton Town won their first ever PL game which for the football romantics like me is a lovely result even if I don’t support them.

I’m currently chilling with a glass of Rosé and waiting for Match of the Day tonight.

Angry? I’m over the fucking moon!!

Have a lovely evening all x

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Original poster

Eastie77Returns · 30/09/2023 19:40

Ladybrrrd · 30/09/2023 18:53

And instead of just not going (which is your right), you've started a whole thread calling the women's teams boring and unskilled. Invited others to come on and talk about how shit women's football is compared to the mens. Nice one 👏 That sort of attitude is sure to help the game grow and inspire girls to take up the sport. 😊

Read earlier quotes. I didn’t call them ‘unskilled’. A previous poster who accused me of writing that subsequently apologised as I wrote no such thing.

I didn’t invite anyone to come on here and write anything. It was your choice to comment sweetie😂😂

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Ladybrrrd · 30/09/2023 20:15

"I won’t be a cheerleader for a group of women just because they are women
if I don’t think they are particularly skilful"

That was you. And you've called them boring a couple of times.

You may not have explicitly invited them but that's exactly what's happened, because of this post.

It just put me in mind of a mate of mine who I took to an England match. We had a great time, the women were incredible, lots of cheering and shouting. Still though, he felt the need to point out that they're just 'not as quick' and 'not as strong'. Who cares if they can run a little bit faster?

I'm going to maintain that this is a pointless thread.

LauraPausini · 30/09/2023 20:26

We've seen some excellent women's football at the nearest stadium. The atmosphere is totally different to men's football - the women's matches are really safe, family friendly and affordable.

There's no way I would take my DC to see the men's football team, however, even if I could get tickets.

Chchchanging · 30/09/2023 21:27

Ladybrrrd · 30/09/2023 20:15

"I won’t be a cheerleader for a group of women just because they are women
if I don’t think they are particularly skilful"

That was you. And you've called them boring a couple of times.

You may not have explicitly invited them but that's exactly what's happened, because of this post.

It just put me in mind of a mate of mine who I took to an England match. We had a great time, the women were incredible, lots of cheering and shouting. Still though, he felt the need to point out that they're just 'not as quick' and 'not as strong'. Who cares if they can run a little bit faster?

I'm going to maintain that this is a pointless thread.

That was my point about not understanding the point of the thread.
I totally agree with you.

Dramatic · 30/09/2023 21:43

User135644 · 30/09/2023 18:40

Men did invent football and most of the professional men's teams (which now have women's teams equivalents) date back to the 19th century.

Show quote history

Yeah and there was also great women's teams that thousands of people watched during the war. The men got pissed off when they realised how popular it was and banned them for 50 years.

Dramatic · 30/09/2023 21:44

Ladybrrrd · 30/09/2023 20:15

"I won’t be a cheerleader for a group of women just because they are women
if I don’t think they are particularly skilful"

That was you. And you've called them boring a couple of times.

You may not have explicitly invited them but that's exactly what's happened, because of this post.

It just put me in mind of a mate of mine who I took to an England match. We had a great time, the women were incredible, lots of cheering and shouting. Still though, he felt the need to point out that they're just 'not as quick' and 'not as strong'. Who cares if they can run a little bit faster?

I'm going to maintain that this is a pointless thread.

I do wonder if it was posted to antagonise a lot of people, it's certainly worked if that was the case.

Ladybrrrd · 30/09/2023 21:47

I do wonder if it was posted to antagonise a lot of people, it's certainly worked if that was the case.

Well it worked on me 😂

'Not the same game'. 🙄

Hecate01 · 30/09/2023 22:58

Ladybrrrd · 30/09/2023 20:15

"I won’t be a cheerleader for a group of women just because they are women
if I don’t think they are particularly skilful"

That was you. And you've called them boring a couple of times.

You may not have explicitly invited them but that's exactly what's happened, because of this post.

It just put me in mind of a mate of mine who I took to an England match. We had a great time, the women were incredible, lots of cheering and shouting. Still though, he felt the need to point out that they're just 'not as quick' and 'not as strong'. Who cares if they can run a little bit faster?

I'm going to maintain that this is a pointless thread.

Who cares if they can run faster?

Personally me because the pace of women's football is abysmal and it's exactly the same as comparing a lower league team to a premier league team.

If you like watching a slow game then great but unfortunately the majority of people will always pick the premier league teams because of the quality, doesn't matter if it's women's football or mens National league the quality isn't as good.

Poniesandrainbows · 30/09/2023 23:07

Eastie77Returns · 30/09/2023 19:37

Mate...my (men’s) team won today and I got to watch a great match😁😁

Two of the teams I intensely dislike lost.

Luton Town won their first ever PL game which for the football romantics like me is a lovely result even if I don’t support them.

I’m currently chilling with a glass of Rosé and waiting for Match of the Day tonight.

Angry? I’m over the fucking moon!!

Have a lovely evening all x

Show quote history

Hope you've got MOTD on. All results went my way today so I'm enjoying it even more!

DarkDarkNight · 30/09/2023 23:19

I’m not really much of a football fan but I can watch it. I find the women’s game embarrassingly amateurish though, and have no interest whatsoever.

However if your daughter would enjoy going to watch a women’s game and it’s something she would relate to and be inspired by why wouldn’t you go? You don’t have to be gripped by it yourself to take her.

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 30/09/2023 23:36

Personally me because the pace of women's football is abysmal and it's exactly the same as comparing a lower league team to a premier league team

This is why I can't derive any enthusiasm for watching it either. The thing about it being more about skill is wrong. It's played at a far lower intensity and pace than mens football, so the players have far more time on the ball, but that doesn't mean its more skill-based. The men are technically just as good or better, but they exercise those technical skills while also maintaining a far more intense tempo.

I agree with the earlier sentiments about apples and oranges. It might be the same sport, but there really isn't much in the way of similarity between mens and womens football beyond that. There's no requirement to like both, and there is nothing wrong with admitting that one or the other does nothing for you.

The point about atmosphere is also relevant. It's not just the lack of intensity on the pitch, the games where I am attract miniscule crowds, so there's no atmosphere beyond the screeching of excitable children reverberating around a 90% empty stand. Again, it's great if you are not put off by that, but for people who enjoy the match day atmosphere of busy mens games, it's a totally different proposition.

User135644 · 01/10/2023 08:07

Hecate01 · 30/09/2023 22:58

Who cares if they can run faster?

Personally me because the pace of women's football is abysmal and it's exactly the same as comparing a lower league team to a premier league team.

If you like watching a slow game then great but unfortunately the majority of people will always pick the premier league teams because of the quality, doesn't matter if it's women's football or mens National league the quality isn't as good.

Show quote history

Yeah, I go and watch my local Premier League team and local non league team. In terms of gameplay it's the pace of the game that is the big difference. The Premier League is also highly technical. It's not all about brute strength either, look at Lionel Messi who is slight and 5 foot 7, he's arguably the best player of all time.

But what I enjoy about non league football is the general vibe of it and the community aspect. I can enjoy the football for what it is, but there's a reason it's cheap to watch. Women's football can be similar but i've no interest in going to a Premier League stadium to watch it.