SUFC Women - worth a watch?

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https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2025/february/05/england-call/

The progress of United's Professional Game Academy has been emphasised by four players being called up for an England Under 16s camp taking place this weekend at St. George's Park.

Erin, Alex, Lottie and Mollie, from United's PGA Under 16s side, will join up with the young Lionesses for two games against Denmark at the end of the week.

It continues the success of the Professional Game Academy in just its second year, following on from the Under 21s winning the inaugural PGA Cup last season under Ash Thompson, as well as almost a dozen players making first team debuts across the last 18 months.
 

Noted that we’ve brought a number of players in since the new owners rocked up. No idea as to the cost, the owners’ input or their plans, but it beats the shambles inflicted on the women’s side late last summer.

Just need another win or two and it’s job done.
 
Our last 4 games are Blackburn, Southampton, Sunderland and Bristol City so a fair chance of getting something in 3 of those games. On current form though, chances look pretty slim.
 
Been to watch the women few times. Its OK.

However on Saturday I took my daughter to Emirates to watch Arsenal v Liverpool. The gulf in quality is massive.

Cost 30 quid for both of us. Sat on front row of top tier.

Was a pretty decent game although Liverpool offered nowt. Arsenal obvs one of top women teams in country and it shows.
 

"Six United Women stars are heading overseas as the season reaches the final interview break.

Jacqui Hand, Maria Farrugia, Connie Scofield, Esther Morgan, Jade Bailey and Fallon Connolly-Jackson have all once again been selected to represent their nations at various levels, following on from all six being called up for the last break a month ago.

Farrugia, Scofield and Morgan will again be involved in the latest round of UEFA Nations League matches, with Farrugia's Malta facing a double-header with Georgia, Scofield's Northern Ireland a double-header with Romania, while Esther Morgan and Wales face both Denmark and Sweden.

Bailey and Hand meanwhile again face long journeys abroad, with Hand part of the New Zealand squad heading to Taiwan for two friendlies against Chinese Taipei, while Bailey and Jamaica head to the USA for two friendlies against Mexico in Kansas City and Houston respectively.

Teenager Connolly-Jackson will again be in action at Under 19s level, heading north of the border to Scotland for the final round of qualifiers for this summer's Under 19s European Championship, with the youngsters set to take on Czechia, Spain and Switzerland.


UK KO Times


Wednesday 2nd April

Scotland v Czechia
(Fallon Connolly-Jackson)
Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld (3:30pm)


Friday 4th April

Georgia v Malta
(Maria Farrugia)
M. Meskhi II Stadium, Tbilisi (4pm)

Romania v Northern Ireland (Connie Scofield)
Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest (5pm)

Wales v Denmark (Esther Morgan)
BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Website
Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff (7:15pm)


Saturday 5th April

Chinese Taipei v New Zealand
(Jacqui Hand)
Behind Closed Doors (11am)

Scotland v Spain (Fallon Connolly-Jackson)
Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex, Kirkintilloch (11am)

Mexico v Jamaica (Jade Bailey)
CPKC Stadium, Kansas City (10:30pm)


Tuesday 8th April

Chinese Taipei v New Zealand
(Jacqui Hand)
Kaohsiung Nanzih Football Stadium, Kaohsiung (11:30am)

Scotland v Switzerland (Fallon Connolly-Jackson)
Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk (3pm)

Sweden v Wales (Esther Morgan)
BBC Two Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Website
Gamla Ullevi, Gothenburg (6pm)

Malta v Georgia (Maria Farrugia)
Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali (6pm)

Northern Ireland v Romania (Connie Scofield)
BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Website
Windsor Park, Belfast (6pm)


Wednesday 9th April

Mexico v Jamaica
(Jade Bailey)
Shell Energy Stadium, Houston (1:30am)


Watch our internationals in action on their return. Tickets for United's final home games of the season against Blackburn Rovers and Southampton are available to buy online - click here."



That's a copy/paste from the club website, by the way. I think the website content person has been looking for a new job, hence the mistake of typing "Six United Women stars are heading overseas as the season reaches the final interview break" ;)
 
Tickets are free to SUFC Women v Blackburn Women

Sun 20th April, 1PM @ BDTBL


"Sheffield United's women's team is heading into a defining moment of the 2025 season. With just three games left, they are facing a crucial match on Sunday 20th April (1pm) against Blackburn Rovers, that could determine their fate in the league. Every point matters now, and a win in this upcoming fixture could propel the Blades into a stronger position. We are offering FREE tickets to everyone, to come along to Bramall Lane and back the Blades.

Manager Ash Thompson knows how significant this match is. "This is a massively important game for us," he said. "We've worked incredibly hard all season, and now it's time to step up. We need to be stronger and more united than ever. The team is focused, and we are determined to get the result we need."

The squad has shown resilience throughout the season and knows the importance of a win against Blackburn. The team are calling on their supporters to fill the stadium, create an uplifting atmosphere, and to show their passion and support.

"Our fans are a huge part of what makes this club special," said captain, Satara Murray. "We need them more than ever to lift our spirits and help us get the three points we need."

As the Blades prepare for the match, both players and staff are united in their belief that, with the right focus, determination, and support from their fans, they can come out on top in this pivotal fixture. With a strong push in the final stretch of the season, Sheffield United Women are ready to give it their all in pursuit of success!

The countdown is on. This is more than just a game - it's a moment that could define the season. The Blades are determined to make it count, and we need you. We are stronger, united!"
 
Must-win game today and they managed 1 shot on target in a 0:0 draw.
 
So is that it. Are they disbanded if they get relegated?
2 more games left
Portsmouth have one.

We're 3 points behind with better goal difference but we couldn't score against the third worst team today so it looks bleak unless someone does us a favour.

As for what will happen to them, all the club has done is radio silence. Realistically, unless the owners are willing to fund one push to come straight back up I'd not hold my breath.
 

Realistically, unless the owners are willing to fund one push to come straight back up I'd not hold my breath.

Does anyone know what the attendance was for the Blackburn game?

The reason I ask is because the new owners might think if only a few 1000 turn up for a season defining, well advertised match with FREE tickets, then if the city of Sheffield isn’t bothered then why should the owners bother giving much funding?
 
2 more games left
Portsmouth have one.

We're 3 points behind with better goal difference but we couldn't score against the third worst team today so it looks bleak unless someone does us a favour.

As for what will happen to them, all the club has done is radio silence. Realistically, unless the owners are willing to fund one push to come straight back up I'd not hold my breath.
Sadly - if we do not have Prem money - future investment focus will remain on men’s team. Also - unlike other areas of the UK - women’s soccer at club level just has not captured people in Yorkshire. Attendances are low despite a good grass roots infrastructure.

If relegated I think the SUFC’s women’s team will fold.
 
Does anyone know what the attendance was for the Blackburn game?

The reason I ask is because the new owners might think if only a few 1000 turn up for a season defining, well advertised match with FREE tickets, then if the city of Sheffield isn’t bothered then why should the owners bother giving much funding?
It's a bank holiday weekend with lots going on, so I don't think that would be a fair reflection. Plus, not sure the free tickets were well advertised.I suspect most Blades wouldn't have known about it, let alone anyone else.
 
It's a bank holiday weekend with lots going on, so I don't think that would be a fair reflection. Plus, not sure the free tickets were well advertised.I suspect most Blades wouldn't have known about it, let alone anyone else.

Just shy of 4K. That’s a significant number regardless of cost.

But sadly this feels like the Danny Webber vs Wigan moment:

 
Not been to see them a lot but we've certainly regressed in recent years. Simply we can't afford to keep anyone decent.

The most impressed I've been was a few years ago under Redfearn. The football was genuinely good to watch and we had a few stand out talents.

Not sure what crowds other Champ teams get but I do think we'd have to reach the WSL to see a notable increase and interest.

Not sure what the owners plans are but relegation doesn't necessarily mean the end. My son's old football coach used to play for the women's team in past years and helped get them to this level. Hopefully there's an appetite to fight on and get back.
 
Not been to see them a lot but we've certainly regressed in recent years. Simply we can't afford to keep anyone decent.

The most impressed I've been was a few years ago under Redfearn. The football was genuinely good to watch and we had a few stand out talents.

Not sure what crowds other Champ teams get but I do think we'd have to reach the WSL to see a notable increase and interest.

Not sure what the owners plans are but relegation doesn't necessarily mean the end. My son's old football coach used to play for the women's team in past years and helped get them to this level. Hopefully there's an appetite to fight on and get back.
What happened with Maddy Cusack certainly didn’t help.
 
What happened with Maddy Cusack certainly didn’t help.
Yep. One of my abiding memories of watching the team was at Chesterfield a few years ago.

We were sat near the front and at the end Maddie came right up to us (her Mum must have been sat behind us) and with this big beaming smile said, 'Mum Mum look I've chipped my tooth' 😄❤️
 
Sadly - if we do not have Prem money - future investment focus will remain on men’s team. Also - unlike other areas of the UK - women’s soccer at club level just has not captured people in Yorkshire. Attendances are low despite a good grass roots infrastructure.

If relegated I think the SUFC’s women’s team will fold.

To be fair it’s not caught on anywhere else apart from the most successful clubs who have a chance of winning the league, ie Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City.
There’s only Arsenal who have fantastic gates, comfortably the best supported women’s team in world football.

Just checked the latest stats which shows average attendances this season. League average stands at 6,953 which is slightly lower than last seasons 7,369.
However the English WSL is comfortably the best supported in Europe, only the USA has better overall average attendances.
Arsenal 27,029
Chelsea 11,720
Man City 8, 516
Liverpool 6,962
Man Utd 5, 088
Brighton 3,536
Aston Villa 3,358
Leicester 2,620
Crystal P 1,872
West Ham 1, 808
Everton 1,282
 
Does anyone know what the attendance was for the Blackburn game?

The reason I ask is because the new owners might think if only a few 1000 turn up for a season defining, well advertised match with FREE tickets, then if the city of Sheffield isn’t bothered then why should the owners bother giving much funding?
 
To be fair it’s not caught on anywhere else apart from the most successful clubs who have a chance of winning the league, ie Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City.
There’s only Arsenal who have fantastic gates, comfortably the best supported women’s team in world football.

Just checked the latest stats which shows average attendances this season. League average stands at 6,953 which is slightly lower than last seasons 7,369.
However the English WSL is comfortably the best supported in Europe, only the USA has better overall average attendances.
Arsenal 27,029
Chelsea 11,720
Man City 8, 516
Liverpool 6,962
Man Utd 5, 088
Brighton 3,536
Aston Villa 3,358
Leicester 2,620
Crystal P 1,872
West Ham 1, 808
Everton 1,282
I don't think it helps them playing in a huge stadium to be honest. They need to play somewhere smaller where you can get a better atmosphere on 1-4k fans.

It's a huge shame considering how well the academy is doing. You would think that we'd want to build on that but there seems to be no plan.
 
I don't think it helps them playing in a huge stadium to be honest. They need to play somewhere smaller where you can get a better atmosphere on 1-4k fans.

It's a huge shame considering how well the academy is doing. You would think that we'd want to build on that but there seems to be no plan.
No pressure promotion to Premier League also means there will be no spare cash to fund this Women’s team project. It is simply not sustainable.
 
No pressure promotion to Premier League also means there will be no spare cash to fund this Women’s team project. It is simply not sustainable.
Do we actually know how much it is costing us to run a team? In comparison to say the salary of Tom Davies or RND?
 
And that's them relegates. Looking at the stats, they at least seemed to give it a go today.
 

Sadly - if we do not go up & get the Prem money - I think that may be curtains for them. Already cut budget big time last summer….so this looks like it is only going one way. Shame - but if the money is not there to support this project so be it. Priority has to be the Men’s Team.
 

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