Today’s Sponsor: “Making the Arsenal” – the story of Arsenal in 1910, a time when women’s football was almost as popular as men’s.
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At the last AGM of the Arsenal Independent Supporters Association the proposal was made that Arsenal Ladies should have a chance to play occasionally at the Emirates, just as Arsenal Youth do if they get to the semis of the Youth Cup.
Arsenal FC have now agreed with this and as a result Arsenal v Leeds Carnegie will take place in the main stadium.
This game could be the title decider of the final Women’s Premier League. For the past few years our rivals have been Everton, but this year Leeds, and to a lesser degree Chelsea, have might more of a fight of things, with Everton slipping back.
And it would be a fitting end to the Women’s Premier League season, if Arsenal do continue their astonishing run and win the game, before moving on to the Super League which starts in March 2011 and continues until October that year.
The current league table shows this
Arsenal played 16, points 45
Leeds played 17, points 40
Chelsea played 19, points 40
Everton play 16 points 37
The teams play 22 games in the season. Arsenal are already in the FA Cup Final for this year.
Tickets for the fixture (and for Arsenal’s other remaining fixtures) are now on sale at £3 each, with oldies and kiddies at half price.
Tony Attwood
Meanwhile….
Mudchester Untidy rescued by a lovely firm of merchant banks. But oh no, something might be going wrong.
How missing your centre back pairing really hinders the attack
Is Wenger the nutty professor, or are lots of the fans utterly bonkers?
Back to the end of the universe (with a postscript)
This team will have its day. There is something very special about to happen
What else is happening in this lovely world of foot and ball?
Confused? Try “Making the Arsenal”
Hey Tony. Where do the Arsenal youth and ladies team play till now. I mean if you can just tell me as I know nothing about the Arsenal grounds except for Emirates.
Arsenal Ladies play at Boreham Wood FC
The reserves play at Barnet FC
The youth team play at Arsenal’s training ground, I think, and I believe that only parents and officials are allowed in – but I am not sure of the details. I have not been to one so I can’t say.
As I have said many times, if you are able to get to any reserve or ladies games it is worth it. Reserves are free, ladies are mostly £3, and of course they don’t just play in London, you can go to the away games if they are nearer you.
I have often had people say, “I can never get a ticket,” and yet they won’t join a few friends and myself watching the Reserves or Ladies play an away game in the midlands (where I live) or go to a home match.
But it is fun – a totally different atmosphere, very relaxed.
I’d say the same of the pre-season games, like Barnet. Great fun.
And now put pressure to give the game live on arsenal TV ?
I always try to watch to the womens cup final on TV when it is shown on the BBC. And must say as a ref I do on occasion some womens football but what Arsenal play is somewhat different from what we have over here.
V
A friend of mine has known a girl that went to Arsenal Ladies for a season but never got even close to the first team as they were on a very high level compared to here.
Walter I have a feeling that next season ESPN will be showing Women’s Cup matches from an earlier round, and I think they might also be showing the Super League which runs through the summer (March to October) next year.
So, if that gives you a way in, yes there will be more on TV
I think the last years the women FA cup final was on the BBC. I dont think our sporting channel will give the ladies league. But who knows maybe next summer to fill up the big empty hole?
I can in fact enjoy a good lady’s game. A bit more slow then the men but you can see some good games. Hope this doesn’t sound to sexist, if this is the correct name in English.( Just hope I haven’t said anything wrong by using this word)
Your English is spot on as always Walter
I was lucky this time as it is the same in Dutch.
Hey Tony,
Great blog, I’ve been reading for awhile but have never posted before.
Anyway a couple times it’s occurred to me that maybe Ladies’ football is a more accurate representation of how the league would look, without the silly money and financial doping that permeates the men’s game.
I notice of course that we’ve been absolutely dominant for a good few years – presumably due to the same scouting, training, and tactics that are meant to exist throughout all level of the club, from first team through to reserves and youth.
However I don’t watch the Ladies’ game – (I plan to, however as it’s not televised it’s difficult to access) – so I can’t verify this idea. What do you think? Is it a reasonable hypothesis? Or is the Ladies’ game actually just as full of financial inequality and other shenanigans?
Tony, man city match preview please. Let me rephrase that Tony. ex-gunners city match preview please.