fairgame:

Whilst the chill north winds blow and the snows begin to fall, the idea of playing football in the summer can sound an attractive one. Crewe Alexandra LFC secretary, Russ Edwards, puts forward his case below, for a Women's Summer Professional League:

I read with interest the thoughts of Lincoln City Manager Rod Wilson with regards to playing women’s football in the summer. My personal belief is that this is the only option if we are to have the slightest chance of making women’s football a marketable commodity.

Just imagine a lovely summer Sunday evening where families can come to perhaps have a picnic before watching quality game of football, featuring some of the best female athletes in the country. We could even make it a whole evening of entertainment, a real festival vibe where the emphasis is on making the paying customer feel uplifted before going to work on a Monday morning.

In my opinion, part of the huge success of the Euros was down to the feel good factor generated by watching a match in pleasant conditions. Parents are more likely to bring children along in better weather and these young supporters, who are less conditioned to football being 'a man’s sport', are the ones we need to fill our seats.

The lack of commercial development in women’s football has been nothing short of tragic but I truly believe that this is not due what some misconceive as a misogynist domination in key decision making areas in the FA but more to do with the redirection of vital resources to the Wembley Stadium project. In fact, Karen Doyle was tasked with developing a pro league in 2002 but unfortunately her role was lost when the Adam Crozier era came to an end. As secretary of a club in the Women’s Premier League, I can confirm that the FA do give their full support to developing the female side of the sport but no one seems at this moment, willing to really grab the bull by the horns and be really radical. Of course, the grass-roots of female football still continues to expand at an exponential rate but I believe that this growth would be dwarfed by the impact of a summer pro-league.

The early attempts of professionalism ie Fulham can be appreciated but unfortunately probably did more harm than good at that time as the sport was not ready for such a monumental leap (the base of the football pyramid being too narrow). After all, the only reason that they became professional was because of one man’s wealth and generosity. In my opinion, the only way to become professional or semi-professional, is to provide a marketable product (summer league) with each club having a sound commercial business template. There are a few of us visionaries out here who believe that this is feasible but it needs a little support from the big players in the FA and perhaps one big sponsor who is sympathetic to seeing women excel in sport and life.

The over-exposure of the men’s game in winter, leaves little space for the women’s game to make an impact. We have little or no chance of winning TV coverage in the winter. Who wants to watch a match set in a ramshackle, wind-swept, over-played, empty, non-league stadium in the depths of winter. Sell the sport as bright and exiting, warm and friendly, “the beautiful game”.

Critics of my proposal might scoff at the idea, perhaps asking where we might get the facilities in the summer as it is difficult enough to get reasonable facilities in the winter. My counter to this argument is that we are only looking to play 12 matches at home therefore the overuse of pitches cannot be a factor. Super League is played in the summer and the pitches look great to me. We can also consider the proliferation of 3g artificial mini/community stadiums that football foundation money is funding.

Perhaps if we get the commercial aspects of the sport right then maybe pro-club chairmen would be more likely to support the game at the peak of the pyramid rather than withdraw their support as so many have done. Cynics have suggested that all they are interested in is getting a grant from the Football Foundation on the back of having a Women’s football team and once that is achieved, the generosity and promises for a rosy future seem to evaporate as quickly as the bookings appear for the nightly 6-a-side leagues. I would like to think that the vast majority of chairmen can actually see the benefits of having a successful women’s team under their umbrella and these benefits can only be enhanced by them becoming commercially viable product with huge marketing opportunities.

I for one am totally convinced that summer football is the way forward to gain maximum exposure for what is now the most popular female participation sport in the UK if not the world.

I think I have to agree with it all, espeacially the fact that during this time of year all the men's games are over shadowing all the women's game. It will boost numbers going to the games, including more coverage.
The whole family scene for the game, is a great idea. I think it will take awat the "thugish" comments, some people give the sport.

Your thoughts?

It would certainly help the women's game if there was a break in the months with poor weather.
Games are regularly postponed, and information about games is so difficult to find, it seems better to not bother going to a game just in case it's off, unless you live fairly close by.

I don't know how it should be done, but if the women's game was marketed anything like the men's then spectators would be encouraged to turn up.
It's difficult for current fans to know what's happening - no chance for those who are not current spectators, but are needed to come to the games.

Big thumbs up. Might be what it needs and certainly worth a try. It can't be any worse than how it is now and if no better then revert back the following season or two.

Nothing ventured, Nothing gained..

To all that has been said, I'd like to add that it's hotter in the summer
and people have school breaks etc.
which means more spectators in the stands too

Kipax, I sent you a PM a while ago - will you reply?

Sorry.. only got it this morning... needed a detailed response... now sent....

I thought about that but quite a lot of people go on holiday in the summer months!

I went on holiday in August and went to see two games

People go on holiday all year long now
- it's cheaper to go in Autumn or Spring actually.
And those who go on holiday in England,
would have time to go and relax and have fun at a footie game
which they normally wouldn't do when they work

I went on holiday in September and went to 4 footie games within a week in Sweden,
and then went to England in October and attended 5 footie games within 6 days

They are trying to aim this at family's in the summer time, which is when there is a big break across the UK for schools in which most people go on holidays

Anyway, I understand what your saying I was just flipping it round

Sounds a great idea to me - worth a try anyway, its not working at the mo so what have they got to lose.

And I hope you enjoyed them

You wouldn't fancy the trip in say December or January though - be lucky if a game starts. And, if it starts, whether they'll let it finish

I would make the season from April to September so that all the competition can be played. EPL league cup FA cup and it would allow entry for the UEFA Cup eas well, since games are played in september october november and april. It is true that the actual situation cannot bring supporters to game.
Crap weather picthes in bad state , games in competition with Sky's super sunday etc.

Here in sweden we have no choice but play in the summer Which is more natural isn't it?
We did play during the winter too, when I was in school, but to kick the ball was like hitting a stone (yes outside on the snow)
I think it would be a great idea if the EPL were to be played during the summer just like here, and we have a summer break so even the players can have a small vacation And to be honest, I don't think womens footy can ever compete with the mens in England, so they need to try other ways to get it more popular.

For a start, they could think of the fans a little more:

1. Try and let us know if games are likely to be called off.
2. Don't re-arrange games with short notice.
3. Play them at the KO times that are stated.
4. Publicise the KO time consistently.

Examples about the above things where they're not helping us:

1. I had to contact someone the day before an Everton game and she was only able to say it was going to be off because of her contacts in the game - and that was a game that was already postponed - not awaiting a referee's inspection or anything.
2. An Arsenal game was re-arranged for an evening when I happened to be in the London area, but I didn't know about it, so travelled back to Wales and missed it.
3. We arrived at Everton to find the KO had been brought forward an hour, and missed the first half an hour of the game.
4. A recent game had 2 different KO times announced depending upon which website you looked at.

Yesterday i wore three pairs of shorts and three tops as well as two pairs of socks and gloves! Ok i may be a wimp but id love to play in warmer weather lol! I look forward to the summer tournaments sooo much lol! x

what team do you play for Spikeyd ?

Far from the premiership but i play in the winter lol! x

we haven't seen you play then ?

Id doubt it very much unless you happened to be lost and stumble through a park one Sunday afternoon lol! I play for a little local town team that are half way (in geographical terms!) between Watford and Borehamwood! x

Bushey Rangers then probably.

Anyway back on topic please.