Chelsea Ladies meet their Arsenal counterparts at 5.30 this afternoon in the inaugural clash of the Women’s Super League. Tooting and Mitcham’s Imperial Fields will play host to the tentative taking of British clubs’ first steps into the world of professional football for women.
Scheduling has switched to avoid competing with men’s fixtures in the quest for audiences, both in stadiums and living rooms, with better weather expected to increase the number of turnstile-spinners this summer.
“Undoubtedly there will be teething problems” admitted England Ladies Head Coach Hope Powell, but who also added “I’m hoping this league gives us a platform to build on” as Women’s football looks to overcome stereotypes, as ever unaided by senior FIFA officials, in particular President Sepp Blatter, who has been noted in the past as an advocate of skimpier clothing being utilised in order to boost sponsorship and revenue streams.
In addition, players will be forced to perform under tight fiscal conditions, with just four players within their registered 20-woman rosters permitted to earn the relatively mediocre sum of £20,000 per year.
Today’s showpiece opening marks the initiation of a key stage in the sport’s growth. With the Champions League Final also heading to the Capital next month, those from London and beyond will be invited to Fulham’s Craven Cottage to witness the culmination of the leading tournament in the women’s game.
Next summer, of course, brings an even bigger event to the UK’s principal city, as the London Olympics will take place and many of the women on show this afternoon will be representing Great Britain with a gold medal at stake.
Arsenal may provide a large pool of players for that squad, as they have done for England teams down the years. They are the most successful Ladies team in history, having won 10 FA Cups (the Final of which formerly being the most prestigious in the footballing calendar due to its being given live coverage by the BBC) and the North Londoners are now only one step away from an appearance in West London, having just qualified for the semi-final of this year’s UEFA-run competition, where they meet Olympique Lyonnais over two ties and are currently two goals down from the away leg.
Chelsea have not seen action in exactly a month, having been removed from the FA Cup by Doncaster Belles 1-0 but, following the Blues’ third place finish last season, they will want to send an early message that they can knock the Gunners off their perch, with manager Matt Beard promising “a really interesting game” in London’s South West.
Vice-captain Jayne Ludlow is missing today for the visitors, while the hosts will have to do without talented midfielder Drew Spence after she injured her ankle on international duty. Yet, even in the absence of these elegant warriors, this contest promises to be an exciting start to a crucial campaign.
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