Feb 5, 2021Trust v self-interest, old farts and not being able to afford Emma HayesWeeknotes February 5 2021 — What I’m thinking about Emma Hayes getting a fair chunk of abuse for saying that it was an insult to consider the Women’s Super League as a step down from men’s football when rumours flew around about AFC Wimbledon considering her for a managerial role. There was also a swell of people, including significant…Management5 min read
Jan 29, 2021Survival packages, emotions and new websites.Week Notes | January 29 2021 — What I’m thinking about Funding — Finally we will be receiving some kind of information about the £3 million government survival package for clubs in the WSL and Championship! We have a meeting scheduled on Monday alongside the clubs, the FA, Sport England and a consultancy company about the government package. Split evenly across…Womens Football4 min read
Jan 15, 2021Yoga, Transfer windows & Future Ownership modelsWeeknotes — week starting Jan 11 — This week has been one of those classic weeks where the best laid plans to do some thinking and strategic work are shuffled to the side as urgent deadlines pop up. Transfer window We’re looking to recruit in this window so this week has involved a lot of conversations, discussions, networks. Sometimes…Womens Soccer3 min read
Jan 8, 2021COVID Rule Books out the (transfer) windowWeek Notes I January 8 2021 — Two things on my mind this week —rules and rules. Covid rule violations Last month in a single incident, a small number of players broke COVID rules. We disciplined the players involved immediately (although the wrath of some of their teammates would likely have been enough). In comparison to the international breaks we’ve…3 min read
Nov 28, 2020Week notes | November 28 2020The week that went from 0 to 100, from lockdown to hundreds of fans being allowed back in. This weekend — international break — I was meant to be hanging our with friends in Margate. Instead… Drumroll — I spent a lot of time working with Directors and colleagues on…Football3 min read
Nov 22, 2020Week Notes November 20 2020What I did Dealt with accreditation to our Conti Cup game v Bristol. We had 4 FA officials in on Wednesday, one scout, 4 cameras (one didn’t work), 3 photographers, and about 4 print/podcast journos to welcome in alongside stewards, security, our players and the opposition. Wasted a Wednesday. It’s so hard to…Womens Football5 min read
Nov 15, 2020Week Notes | 13 November 2020What I did Had a helpful conversation with SEED to learn a bit more about eating disorders. This is an issue that has played on my mind after Fiona Thomas’ piece in The Telegraph on eating disorders amongst WSL players which SEED points out are everywhere. Meetings — on COVID with the FA…Womens Soccer4 min read
Nov 8, 2020Week Notes November 8 2020Lockdown #2 comes into force, meaning all our junior teams and our men’s teams have their last games and training for a month — whilst the women’s first team face 3 games in 8 days with no change to schedule, as an “elite” team. Written en route to Leicester City…Womens Football4 min read
Oct 31, 2020Week Notes | 30 OctoberIt’s been one of those whackamole weeks with lots of urgent things popping up needing addressing, but I’m trying still to make sure there’s time for future planning, otherwise you can get bogged down in just being reactive. What I did Navigated stormy COVID waters. With infections in women’s football rising (the FA…Womens Football3 min read
Oct 23, 2020Week Notes | October 23The international break means no game this weekend, so a bit more time for thinking and less about game logistics! We have two players away for the week with England U19s and the Cyprus international team. What I did Enjoyed the buoyant feeling (long may it last) that comes with a good start…Management4 min read
