Delighted to have been trusted with this position. From my very first conversation with the committee I believed in the project and the people.
The second half of the last season has already provided incredible foundations for us all and I cannot wait to get started ⚫️🟡
“Many seriously ill people stayed at home, they protected the NHS, but it didn’t save their lives.”
No doubt on how dangerous covid is, but there is so much more to think about during the talk of another lockdown.
Read this before thinking of a 2nd full lockdown.
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
The virus is a real threat and we all have to take it seriously but we can't ignore the devastation caused by lockdowns.
This is not an argument for a fundamental shift in strategy, those debates have been had.
This article is my plea for more balance.
This means more.
No result in this world matters when there are bigger things than football.
We cannot and we will not forget, nor will we stop fighting for change.
I’m sorry football let you down, but know Maddy’s legacy will live on, I can promise you that.
How about seeing as though
@stokecity
can’t afford to fund
@Kayleigh_Mcx
operation, why don’t you give all money sold for tickets to the GoFundMe page of YOUR player who YOU won’t support financially?
Get your act together, your token gestures of allowing the women’s section to
Sad to announce this, but not a decision taken lightly. Thanks to all clubs mentioned, all coaches and managers played under and to all players that became friends. The last 20 years has been a blast 🔴⚪️ ⚪️💙 over and out and here’s to the future of more learning! ⚽️📚💡
Devastating statement. How many times, people before players.
The system is broken. The most important part of football is the people, and it is unacceptable to treat players as though they do not matter.
Heartbreaking statement from the Cusack family, thoughts are with them.
The family of Maddy Cusack have tonight released a heart-breaking tribute which says her spirit was 'allowed to be broken by football.'
They have also confirmed that Sheffield United are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.
Story:
Players at Tier 5, getting paid £100 a week within a 50 mile radius of us.
Just under £5,000 a year to play Tier 5. Whilst Blackburn in the championship are on just £4.000 more.
How does anyone expect the game to grow, when players want to move clubs they believe their value
EXCL: Blackburn are planning to pay their women’s team players just £9,000-a-year for the upcoming season.
@MailSport
understands their player budget is £100k. Players will operate on 16-hour contracts and receive minimum wage.
Full details:
Football. Coaching. Mental Health. Player Welfare and all that’s in between.
If you’re in and around the game, at any level, a player, a coach, a manager, the kit person, any form of link in relation to the game.
Please take 5 minutes out of your day to read below 👇🏽
The world of women’s football is absolute carnage, and to be quite honest I am glad I played in the time I did, we may not have had the perks that players get now, but ain’t no way on this planet I’m having an agent tell me what I can and can’t do in my career, or having clubs
High expectation, lack of support, lack of care, the list is endless and this is not acceptable.
It’s time we stop the talking and take action. Be the change we wish to see, challenge clubs and personal to do better, hold governing bodies to account.
For Maddy.
"Life without Madeleine is unbearable"
The mother of former Sheffield United footballer Maddy Cusack has spoken about the pressures her daughter faced before her death at the age of 27.
Incredibly hard to put into words the last 11 months. Moments of difficulty, moments of euphoria and every single emotion in between.
Our goal was to stay in the league, and against all odds, we have managed to fulfil that goal. In an incredibly robust and relentless league
Don’t compare this to mens football. This is football. So many of us have played football for free, sacrificed jobs to ensure we are available for games and training and missed family occasions. This is huge for the sport. A special day for all that came before and worked
Appreciate the trust from all at the club. Greatful for the opportunity + understand the important platform that’s been created in the prior years. A massive thank you to all staff and players who have made me feel welcome from the start. Let’s get to work
@Mike_Harris_12
🤝🔴⚪️
Some terrible takes from “fans” in relation to last nights defeat. Congrats on a wonderful season, considering some players in that squad are playing at a higher age group I’d say this is a massive achievement and a step in the right direction. Start appreciating their talent. 👊🏻
Never will anything change at
@scfc_women
as
@stokecity
do not back the club. Everything was always a chore to the club and players and members of staff were silenced and told to say how great the backing was. The fact of the matter is they never have and they never will.
A dark day for women’s football.
This is the scary reality of our game. One minute you have everything, the next the rug gets pulled from under you.
You may think the game is moving in the right direction, but this devastating news shows we are still not safe.
I have decided that for every goal my team score this year, I will be donating £10 to the
@MC8_Foundation
This foundation is absolutely phenomenal, and I want to continue to give back to them in any way I can.
“We have to be the alternative, lead the way, and people will see”
“My beautiful daughter, Madeleine.
The saddest and most utterly heartbreaking reason why I am having to stand here and speak to you today is because of football.
Sometimes in football, big things happen to the ones that believe in themselves, and collectively work hard to create special moments. I am so proud of this group. We aren’t here to make up the numbers, I can absolutely promise you that. Thanks to all the fans tonight 🔴⚪️
Is this really judgement day? Haven’t both clubs proved they are good enough to be promoted? There has to be changes 🤯
Good luck to both clubs today, enjoy the occasion but don’t forget that you both deserve promotion and I’m sorry Women’s football continues to let us down.
Could some of that funding could go into supporting the welfare of players? Make it mandatory to have a player care staff member and support them with further learning.
Clubs have physios for physical injuries, so why do we have nothing mandatory in place for well-being?
New £30 million fund from
@DCMS
,
@FootballFoundtn
and FA to deliver approximately 30 new state of the art 3G pitches at sites supporting women’s and girls’ teams across England
We have to put the person before the athlete otherwise we are at risk of losing both. Find time to help players with their mental health, to check in and ensure they’re okay, and if not, a reminder that it’s okay not to be okay. this will affect performance, know the signs. 💭
A real harrowing read. I hope the FA complete an extensive investigation into this, one that treats the family and Maddy with respect and answers.
I urge anyone who’s ever been subject to anything mentioned in the below piece to reach out and know it is not ok.
Special report: The tragedy of Maddy Cusack - and why her family want a new investigation into her death.
Please read: one of the more important stories I’ve covered for
@TheAthleticFC
.
Full story (no paywall):
Lucky to be part of this club. Huge changes this season and we are absolutely on the right track to continue to progress. Thank you to
@WBA
for making us all feel so special for the homecoming. The culture, the professionalism and determination here is there for all to see🔵⚪️
When you start to doubt yourself, and everyone around you because of your dealings.
Remember sometimes you can make the smallest bit of difference that is noticed and appreciated by others.
Thank you
@WesleyJoyce13
you have made a huge difference to my mindset today.
Whatever the result today,
@CovUnitedLFC
should be immensely proud with the way they have conducted themselves these last few months. Rolled up their sleeves and have attempted the impossible, what a story it would be for all involved if they were to stay up. They could of rolled
After a really emotionally draining tough week for the girls, we asked them for 3 things.
Be brave, be fearless and be together.
We got that in abundance. A credit to themselves and the badge they wear on their chest.
Proud is an understatement 🔴⚪️
After yesterdays carnage, took a trip down memory lane to find this buried deep in my videos.Take away the issues, there’s something nobody and nothing can take away from any previous or current players, and that’s the memories. For what it’s worth, it was worth all the while ❤️
People before players ✨👊🏻 tough results like this will only shape the younger generation to accept that not every day will be their day, but in turn, when your day comes that it will be exceptional and worth all the lessons throughout the journey 👏
Looking forward to my new challenge, a huge thank you to
@afishersc16
and
@Mike_Harris_12
for believing in me and giving me this opportunity to be part of your journey. It’s an interesting time to be part of this league and I’m sure there will be some huge moments for us. 🔴⚪️
🔴 WELCOME TASH! 🔴
We are delighted to welcome
@TashTezgel28
to our Coaching Staff ahead of the new
@FAWNL
season. Tash brings a wealth of experience and we look forward to her working with the squad. You can read more here...
#Glassgirls
🔴⚪️
Huge statement made from the club, well done to all who have made it happen behind the scenes. This coupled with
@DCFCWomen
and the
@Lionesses
update is fantastic for the sport. Well done all 👏 hopefully will see more clubs following suit 👍🏽
Stoke City are proud to mark
#InternationalWomensDay
by announcing a significant increase in funding for the Club’s women’s team who are to become semi-professional from the 2023/24 season onwards 🔴⚪️
My footballing journey was never easy. There were more highs than lows. But what I did learn from my time on the pitch, is that my values and commitment could never be questioned. I never played for myself, I played for my teammates and the badge on my chest.
1/4
WOW! Special moments, special people 🤩
A physically demanding week for the players, who have dealt with it all exceptionally 👏
So proud of all the players involved they really are a credit to themselves, us and the club. 💫
It’s a pleasure to be part of this journey 🔵⚪️
A huge congratulations to
@BeckyLangley4
@AndyCook87
, all of your staff and group of players. A fantastic achievement, go well on your next venture.
@NUFC
thank you for daring to back your women’s team and creating incredible memories for yourselves and your fans 👏🏽👊🏽
Regrouped, refocused, responded, bounced back 🤛🏽😌 what a win for us after Wednesdays set back, feels good to finally get my first goal for the club 🔵⚪️ moving our focus on Derby Thursday
@WBAWomen
What a second half performance from the girls! 🤩
An own goal and strikes from Nat Murray and Shannon Stamps give us all three points at Wolverhampton University!
#WBA
This yet another reason to hold individuals and clubs responsible for the lack of well-being and mental health support.
Fear of not being picked in a squad or being frozen out for speaking out about treatment of players. Football is a scary place and one where ultimately if
Couldn’t be prouder of this group, what a resilient performance, full of hard work and determination. Every individual left everything out there today! Proud to be a baggie 🔵⚪️ Congratulations to
@CovUnitedLFC
great to see you still competing and good luck in the next round 👍🏽
A fantastic point gained from a really difficult place to go. This group never fails to amaze us with their never say never attitude. Continue to write us off, + we will continue to defy the odds.
“It’s never about who we play, it’s always about how we play”
Proud 🔴⚪️
Managers and Coaches have been getting away with these situations for a long long time. This isn’t about pointing the finger at male coaches, it’s about pointing the finger at those in a position of power who are abusing people who they should be protecting.
This has to change.
Seen a few people talk about this being a Leicester problem, or a problem with male coaches. Think it’s far more endemic than that and I’d be careful about assuming patterns based on one or two cases.
Thoughts are with all those that have been affected by anything past and present because of this. Talk about player care all you want but it starts at the top. It’s time football stops being “who you know” to get you places and more about what you know and your people skills.
NEW: Sheffield Utd employed Jonathan Morgan - the manager now at centre of FA's Maddy Cusack inquiry - despite a senior exec warning the club he 'doesn't have the greatest reputation' within the women's game.
Full story (1/2):
Sorry but WHAT an addition 🤩 go well
@bethrobbo3
Proud of everything you have achieved and will continue to achieve with this move ❤️
@WolvesWomen
you have an incredible player on your hands and even better person! 👏
Ahead of kick-off today, we are delighted to announce the signing of defender Beth Roberts from
@scfc_women
.
Beth has represented England as an under-18 and under-19 youth international and joins us on a permanent deal.
Welcome to the pack, Beth!
🐺✍️
“Its not about what people think when you arrive, the true measure of achievement is what people think of you when you leave”
Thank you to the group at
@StourbridgeWFC
for the lovely gifts. The chapter has now officially ended and I am now looking forward to whatever is next 💭
I wasn’t a full time pro in the game, nor do I claim to know everything about the game. But what I do have is a passion and a drive to support the well-being of all female footballers in the game, and protect them at all costs.
Thanks you
@StourbridgeWFC
for the support 👏🏽
Absolutely delighted with our group, a squad filled with quality footballers, and even better people.
I don’t know what this season will bring come the end, but I do know we’re going to enjoy every single moment and make this season one to remember 👊🏽
@LeafieldAthLFC
🟡⚫️
The potential of this team is frightening. The culture change on and off the pitch in such a short space of time is incredible. Proud of everything we are achieving and excited for what is to come 👏 back to back wins 🤩👊🏻
Proud of you today, I know how hard it must of been to play against a club you spent your life at. You drove us forward, you lead by example and you played with a maturity some players can only wish for. Well done Kelsey Leigh 👊🏻⚪️🔴
We didn’t take the points and we don’t get the bragging rights this time round. However what we take away is pride and a platform to go again Sunday with a real strong togetherness. We took something valuable from today and now it’s time to recharge and refocus.
@WBAWomen
🔵⚪️💙
March 2023, I wrote a piece in an email in which I was told there wasn’t a place for this to be a said role, and that it would be something to work along side another role.
How are we pushing something so important to just be a side role?
Something HAS to change.
To find out on social media this news is abysmal. I cannot comprehend the thought process behind it.
You have to do better, I don’t know who needs to do better, but somebody damn well has to. The lack of empathy and care shown to the Cusack’s is nothing short of horrific.
Continuing to tweet about the situation at Coventry United Ladies. I have played football for a long time, I know the sacrifices that are made on a part time basis. Never mind on full time where you give up your life and jobs to follow a dream sold on a promise that the business’
Frustrating day. Officials need to understand that respect works both ways, and the way a handful of our staff and players were treated today is unacceptable on a human level never mind in the eyes of the FA. Things need to change, being patronised by someone who demands respect
Not been able get down and see us play yet?
Please do, you will not regret it.
I’m incredibly proud to lead this group and the management/staffing team are so important to what we are setting out to achieve.
We’re building something very special..
WeAreLeafield | 🟡⚫️
hoarding players because they believe it’s their god given right to have everything they want when they want it. This is players playing time and happiness you are attempting to control for your own personal gain and gratification. Do not tell me it’s any different.
We're delighted to announce
@TashTezgel28
will be retiring from playing to join the Albion Women staff.
She'll be being supported by the club to gain qualifications along with helping her transition into the next step of her footballing journey.
Welcome to the team, Tash.
#WBA
Nearly 48 hours later, that was tough. No excuses.
@WolvesWomen
were outstanding from minute 1, and continued that throughout the 90. Ruthless in front of goal, yet humble in their win, which is priceless at this level.
Thanks to the 401 who came down, stick with us 🔴⚪️
So far we’re not even out of pre season and I’ve heard my club called..
“relegation contenders”
“A mediocre T4 team”
If anyone else would like to confirm any other statements or early calls prior to the start of the season..
Please let me know 🤩
Word of the day, proud. There is no other way to dress it up. Toe to toe with the best team in the league, we had a game plan, it was executed brilliantly by the group.
Results matter, but today it was the moments that mattered to us. The things you don’t see outside the walls.
Not even close.
Coaching badges? Great, you have knowledge of football, but who are you as a person? Who are you to your team? Do you support your team’s wellbeing?
If not, it’s time to figure it out.
Football is the beautiful game, but women’s football has sadly turned ugly
Bittersweet feeling this morning, the end of another season with
@WBAWomen
what started as a player, and has ended on a new exciting journey onboard as a member of the coaching team. There has been moments of madness, moments of euphoria and moments of disappointment. However
Proud of the group of players in the 16 yesterday, after a tough start to our season, we’ve come out the other end. An exciting time for the club. Unbeaten in 4, and always wanting more from one another and it’s showing in resilient performances like last night 🔵⚪️
@WBAWomen
I love the growth of women’s football, it’s so inspiring to see. However there is such a dark side to the game, a side where clubs hold the cards with players futures and happiness. Are we looking after the player? Or are you looking after your own pockets, denying players ways
Our fundraiser is now complete, below are my own thoughts, gratitude and reflection.
Thank you to all at
@StourbridgeWFC
for your efforts, all those that donated and shared our page. Our support and love continues to be with all of Cusack family.
Further to that, credit to
@NUFCWomen
who are undeniably the best team in the league. A club who have invested in their women’s section but ensured the right people have been brought in to support and play.
One of the clubs that havnt treated us like we don’t belong. Thank you.
The podcast is coming.. 🗣️
“The beautiful games ugly truths”
Football does not define you.
Manufactured happiness?
Player care just a tick box for the outside world?
Getting let down by those we trust?
Watch this space 🎙️
Is right
@AlexScott
If you can dream it, be it.
Football is football.
We’ve come too far in 50 years to let the likes of Joey Barton tell us otherwise 👏🏽
Really looking forward to the new challenge and can’t wait to get started. Thanks to
@louis_sowe
and
@DaveLawrence84
for giving me this opportunity. I’m really excited to be a part of the club. 🔵⚪️👍🏽
Good to be back with this lot, big positive strides to be soon implemented thanks to an incredible backing from
@WBA
and all staff that work behind the scenes. Hard graft starts now 👊🏻
@WBAWomen
💙⚪️
With the okay and support from the
@MC8_Foundation
the staffing team at
@StourbridgeWFC
are raising money for the foundation by walking/running/cycling to equivalent distance of our home ground to
@NUFCWomen
home ground of Kingston Park throughout January.
Incredibly proud of this group today. A wonderful experience for them to play in front of a record crowd of over 4,000 people. A fair result,
@NUFCWomen
are a phenomenal outfit and we wish them best of luck for the rest of the season. See you in the reverse fixture 🔴⚪️
Absolutely delighted to get this one over the line.
Thank you to
@Shevs_20
for supporting us with this. An excellent addition and I trust
@OliviaRabjohn
will be excellent at this role to support our players off the pitch.
Every club needs to box this role off ✔️
🟡⚫️
𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 ✔️
The most important piece of our staffing puzzle 🧩
Player Care is imperative to us here at Leafield and we are delighted to add
@OliviaRabjohn
to the club as a part of our commitment to this, as our Player Liaison.
Welcome Liv 🫂
🟡⚫️
Skipper, team mate and friend. Thank you for everything, you are everything Stoke is and I am more than sure you have left your mark. 2 decades at 1 club, that is loyalty. Thank you for the memories skip, and thanks for not just being a team mate, but a lifelong friend ❤️
Stoke City defender Meg Bowyer has announced her retirement following two decades of service to the Club.
Congratulations on a stellar career in red and white, Meg 🔴⚪
🔗
An absolute steal of a signing. A huge character on the pitch with bags of experience at this level. Maturity beyond her years and the kind of player any team in this league could of got their hands on. So pleased with this one. Time to show what you do best
@kelsey_leigh8
❤️
🔴 WELCOME KELSEY! 🔴
A huge Stour welcome to our latest addition, midfielder
@kelsey_leigh8
! Kelsey joins us having recently left Stoke City, and goes straight into tonight's squad!
#Glassgirls
🔴⚪
And STILL people are questioning if this is lockdown 😂 this countries ignorance baffles my mind. 3 or more weeks of pure hell, is going to pave the way for a lifetime of being able to see your loved ones. Christ almighty please stop questioning it and
#StayAtHomeSaveLives
Don’t let this blind you from other wrongdoings in football by the people who are meant to protect their players. Let’s keep the lid off player/coach relationships, but don’t forget to keep the lid firmly off the for the players whose wellbeing is destroyed by so called “leaders”
Column: Player-coach relationships are rife in the women’s game. But they are also complicated. A can of worms has been opened and it may be difficult to put the lid back on.
A totally different performance today from the group. One for them to be extremely proud of, individually + as a group. Battled well against a professional
@NFFCWomen
side.
To the fans, thanks for sticking with us, we will continue to do all we can to ensure our tier 3 safety.