Manchester United Women v Tottenham Hotspur Women match programme, Women's Super League, 21.04.24

Barclays Women’s Super League

SUNDAY 21 APRIL 2024 ○ 12PM

#allredallequal

AFTER EVERYONE CAME TOGETHER LAST SUNDAY, THE BOSS WANTS TO SEE SIMILAR ENERGY TODAY, ON AND OFF THE PITCH

MARC SKINNER

Hello and welcome to Leigh Sports Village, for the final time this season. LSV has been a fortress for us in recent years and it will be great to finish strongly at our home this afternoon.

Last weekend was one of those moments that we will all remember for a long time. Everyone – from the players, staff and fans –showed a lot of resilience to push us over the line.

I asked before the game for energy and you all gave that in abundance. It helps when you go one up early on but even towards the end there was an incredible wall of noise which pushed us on. It must have made it hard for the Chelsea players but we fed off that. It allowed the players to grow even bigger, as they felt that energy and passion coming from the crowd. You were behind the team every step of the way, and it was wonderful to see the fans so happy.

You learn most about yourself in resilient moments. Resilience is what this great club is built on. I have really enjoyed the way the team have handled adverse moments this season, and I am pleased with the growth of the team. The fans have been with us on the journey from the

start of 2023/24 and we set the bar high last season. Now we need to all push forward together – players, fans, staff and everyone involved in Manchester United Women.

We take on our FA Cup final opponents this weekend in the league and although fans will be looking ahead to that final, we must make sure to concentrate on each match as it comes. There has been a lot of chat about Grace Clinton missing out on her chance to play at Wembley. I have a lot of love for Grace. We saw her at Everton and knew she had the potential to be huge. She needed to go out and get experience and that is what she has done. She has been fantastic and I am really pleased with her growth as a person and player.

Enjoy the game this afternoon and we look forward to feeling that energy from you fans once again.

WE ALL BELIEVED...

The expressions on the faces tell the story, as players and fans come together to celebrate a momentous, edge-of-your-seat semi-final win here in Leigh one week ago. Chelsea’s recent record in the Women’s FA Cup – they’ve lifted the trophy in each of the past three seasons – alongside our hitherto winless run against them (D1 L10) placed Emma Hayes’s Blues as favourites to progress to the 54th final at United’s expense. Yet from the very first minute, as Lucia Garcia headed home after 40 seconds, the Reds showed immense spirit in every position to see us over the line, with you vocal supporters behind the girls every step, kick and tackle of the way. All together now: ‘We’re the famous Man Utd and we’re off to Wembley!’

PLAY WITH STYLE

WHAT IS STYLE?

It’s Control. Creativity. And being prepared to cross that line. It’s the freedom to do your thing and play to your own whistle.

It’s the ‘I’ in Individuality and the ‘You’ in UNITED. www.remington.co.uk/manutd

COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF

FINAL COUNTDOWN

It’s three weeks until Wembley, meaning today’s WSL clash has a fascinating sub-plot, as United and Spurs size each other up...

Of all the WSL fixtures taking place over the course of this weekend (and you can read about the rest of them over the page), United v Spurs is the one that most catches the eye, even if more high-stakes encounters are taking place elsewhere, in terms of the league table.

That’s because – as if you needed any reminding! – we’ll be facing each other at Wembley Stadium on 12 May, when one of today’s teams will lift their first-ever major trophy. Will it be the Reds, who have a remarkable record against the north London side (W10 D1 L0, including a 4-0 away win when we last met four months ago)? Such numbers would suggest we’ll be strong favourites at the national stadium, but let’s not forget our record against Chelsea was, coincidentally, W0 D1 L10 until we beat them in

the semi-final seven days ago, on an afternoon that is right up there as one of the greatest wins in our near six-year history. So not too much attention can be placed on previous meetings, especially at this time of year, when momentum, injuries and squad depth can play such a key role in any game. And when you consider that Robert Vilahamn’s Spurs have beaten Arsenal in the league since we last met, as well as knocking Manchester City out of the FA Cup, they’ll firmly believe that momentum is swinging in their direction, and they can complete their set of big-team scalps in 2023/24 by overcoming United. With Spurs currently sixth in the WSL table, and United six points above them (having played a game more) yet nine points behind Arsenal in third, today’s fixture is probably only going to have a bearing on the order of teams just below the Champions League places once the season ends. But a victory for either side will act as a real confidence boost ahead of the final, and both Vilahamn and Marc Skinner will surely be looking very closely at how the opposition line up today.

The teams last met in December, as Skinner’s Reds won at Brisbane Road

FOR ALL THE ALERTNESS OF OUR ATTACKERS WHEN THE FEW CHANCES CAME AGAINST CHELSEA, IT WAS A WIN PROPPED UP BY OUR DEFENCE

How can we stop the always-roaming Beth England creating space for her team-mates to exploit? How can Spurs prevent Ella Toone from orchestrating play just outside their box, after she claimed her ninth assist of the campaign last weekend? And when you throw in the possibility of Amy Turner, Martha Thomas and Rachel Williams all facing their old clubs in these two games (if not Grace Clinton, under the terms of her loan from United), you can bet there will be enough tactical analysis to fill two flip-charts before and after today’s 12th meeting between the teams.

At the time of writing there were no fresh injury concerns following the Chelsea win, and Jayde Riviere could be back in contention following her injury. With fellow full-back Gabby George still continuing her ACL rehab, Aoife Mannion has stepped in as right-back for the past two games, where she’s been exceptional in a less-familiar role. For all the alertness of our attackers when the few chances came against Chelsea, it was a win propped up by a heroic 90 minutes from our entire defence, including Mary Earps in goal.

Today is our final home outing before Wembley, not to mention our final LSV fixture of the season, so let’s make it a loud one!

ACROSS

A trio of games today begins here at LSV, with big points to play for...

With only Arsenal and Bristol City in action in the WSL last weekend, as the rest of the division was paused for the FA Cup semis, this week sees a return to a full programme. The latest run of WSL action got under way as early as Wednesday night, with Chelsea’s game against Aston Villa at Kingsmeadow brought forward by several days due to Champions League commitments that saw the Blues then travel to Spain for the first leg of their semi-final against Barcelona. Against the Villans, Emma Hayes’s side would have been looking to bounce back from their Cup defeat at Leigh Sports Village, while avoiding a fourth straight game without a win in all competitions. As for Carla Ward’s Villa in seventh place, they are still in with a chance of creeping into the top half before the season is out.

The WSL action continued on Friday with Everton’s long trip to Brighton’s Broadfield Stadium. It was a first outing for the Toffees since their 4-1 defeat at Leigh on Easter Sunday, with Brian Sorensen’s team – 10th before kick-off, with one league win in their last nine – out to improve their position by picking up points against a direct rival in the table. The Seagulls were two places above Everton before the game, but in far better form thanks to taking seven points from their previous four games.

Aoife has been so solid since returning to the team

At 12.30pm yesterday, Bristol City hosted Liverpool at Ashton Gate. The Robins, with only one point to show from their nine games since securing a 1-1 draw with Matt Beard’s Merseysiders in early December, are running out of chances to avoid a swift return to the Championship. They were seven points adrift of safety before kick-off and will face title challengers Manchester City and Chelsea in the next two of

THE WSL

their three remaining fixtures. Liverpool’s recent five-game unbeaten run came to a crashing end courtesy of a heavy 4-1 home defeat to City a fortnight ago and they will have viewed this game as an opportunity to return to winning ways.

Kicking off around the same time as the final whistle sounds here at LSV this afternoon, Arsenal face Leicester at Emirates Stadium. Still with hopes of forcing their way back into the title race, the Gunners were able to build on the momentum of lifting the Conti Cup by then putting five goals past Bristol City last weekend, and how they’d love a similar scoreline against a Foxes side they beat 6-2 in the reverse fixture. A week ago, Leicester were just minutes away from booking an FA Cup final ticket and they will need to pick themselves up from that crushing disappointment ahead of the league run-in. A surprise win against Arsenal today still has the potential to push them up to seventh place depending on other results.

Last to go this weekend are Manchester City and West Ham, kicking off at 2.15pm at Academy Stadium today. Gareth Taylor’s side are the WSL’s in-form team, with 12 straight wins following their triumph at Liverpool last time out. City also possess the league’s meanest defence, conceding 12 in 18 games, although a goalkeeping injury crisis ruling out both Khiara Keating and Sandy MacIver, on top of Ellie Roebuck’s ongoing recovery from a stroke, saw Katie Startup join from Brighton in an emergency loan deal last Sunday. The Hammers, 11th as it stands, won’t be happy with their league position this season but have at least significantly eased fears of possible relegation since the winter break.

A GOALKEEPING INJURY CRISIS AT CITY HAS SEEN KATIE STARTUP JOIN IN AN EMERGENCY LOAN DEAL

City’s Bunny Shaw leads the way in the Golden Boot race, with 19 goals

After beating Bristol City last weekend, Arsenal host Leicester this afternoon

Can Rehanne Skinner’s West Ham cause a shock at City’s Academy Stadium?

REDS REPORT

BY JOE NELSON

TIMELINE OF ALL THE RECENT ACTION AND NEWS

SEVEN DAYS AGO

2 UNITED 1 CHELSEA

Women’s FA Cup semi-final

Leigh Sports VIllage, Sun 14 April

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:

An epic afternoon here in Leigh, as Marc Skinner’s Reds reach the FA Cup final for the second year running, stunning holders Chelsea to beat the Blues for the first time in our history.

LUCIA’S NERVE-SETTLER: Many of the 6,876 crowd had barely got to their seats or standing positions when Lucia Garcia gave us the lead, heading home from Leah Galton’s lofted cross after just 40 seconds. If there were pre-match nerves, what a way to settle them!

WILLIAMS MAKES IT TWO: Eyebrows were raised when super-sub Rachel Williams was named in the line-up for just her sixth start of the season, but how Rach proved her worth as she rose to nod home on 23 minutes, following some brilliant work from Ella Toone.

JAMES WRESTLES ONE BACK: Chelsea continued to boss possession – indeed, they’d finish the game with 70 per cent

of it – and despite some resolute Reds defending they would break through in first-half injury-time, Lauren James smashing the ball home before having a brief wrestle with ex-team-mate Millie Turner, who responded by hiding the ball up her shirt. A lively, unexpected conclusion to a gripping 45 minutes.

CLAW, BLIMEY! Into the second half, and even by Mary Earps’ standards her save to thwart James was extraordinary (you can see it in all its glory in our centre-spread poster). Likened to iconic stops from Peter Schmeichel and David Seaman, Mary seemed to defy physics to claw the ball to safety.

SECOND-HALF STRESS: With Chelsea continuing to knock on the door, Melanie Leupolz went close, Catarina Macario hit the bar from a corner, and our defence increasingly began to celebrate every block like a United goal. A couple of penalty shouts for the visitors were waved away by ref Kirsty Dowle, and as the game opened up late on, United sub Melvine Malard so nearly looped in a third for the Reds. What drama... and what fantastic scenes as the full-time whistle finally blew after eight minutes of added time.

The beautiful sound of the full-time whistle, as the Reds overcome the Blues on a day to remember

Post-match reaction:

Mary Earps, speaking to the BBC: “This season has been so hard, it’s been mentally brutal. But we’re back in the final, c’mon! I feel we’ve been lacking aggression in our games this season. The girls knew we had to give this a good go, as it’s heavy when things don’t go your way in the league. It was ugly and it was horrible but I don’t care because we won.”

Goalscorer Rachel Williams: “I can’t even put it into words. All week we have been grafting, and when she [Ella Toone] puts in balls like that you have to finish them. To finally beat Chelsea is amazing.”

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes: “You can’t gift two goals so early in the game against top opponents. The first was a mistake in the first minute, the second was from a throw-in. We have to do better. We gave ourselves lots to do. I want to say congratulations to Man Utd and their fans. The players put up a great fight and Mary Earps produced world-class saves.”

Long sequence ends...

With United and Spurs in the final, it means that a major trophy (WSL, FA Cup, Conti Cup) will be won by a team that isn’t Arsenal, Chelsea or City. The last time that happened? Liverpool’s 2014 WSL title. Since then, the above trio have lifted 27 trophies in a row.

FA CUP FINAL TICKETS

We have received an allocation of 11,872 tickets for the Adobe Women’s FA Cup final (Sunday 12 May, 2.30pm), in the east side of Wembley. Ticket prices range from £5 (for under-17s) to £30, with MUW season ticket holders, men’s team season ticket holders, plus executive club members and United members already eligible to purchase. For the latest availability please scan the code below, where you can also get the latest on our two remaining WSL away games, against Leicester and Liverpool, plus coach travel to all fixtures.

FANS’ PRESS CONFERENCE

Emma Watson and Gabby George took part in the Reds’ first fans’ press conference ahead of our FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea. Members of our supporters’ club gathered at Carrington for their chance to speak with the players, learn more about their recovery from injury and get their thoughts on the side’s growing fan base. Manager Marc Skinner popped in to say hello to the attendees on what was an enjoyable day.

PFA AWARD FOR TOONE

Ella Toone has been named PFA WSL Fans’ Player of the Month for March. Toone netted twice in four WSL matches in the month, including an impressive brace against Everton (below). She beat fellow nominees Ashleigh Neville, Emma Koivisto, Jess Park, Khadija Shaw and Lauren James in the fan vote. Congrats, Tooney!

ZEL’S NOTES

THE SKIPPER LOOKS BACK ON A SUPER SUNDAY, WITH TODAY’S WSL CONTEST BEING AN INTRIGUING TASTER FOR THE FINAL...

Last weekend in the Cup... where do I start?! We’re all absolutely buzzing. What a time to break the Chelsea curse. I am just so proud of the team, for us to reach back-to-back FA Cup finals. We know it wasn’t the prettiest of games but we turned it into a fight and we won that. The girls work so hard every single day and I think we deserved that win, we deserved a bit of luck. I am so excited to go back to Wembley. Hopefully this year the outcome will be different and we’ll be the ones lifting that trophy.

The sound at LSV last Sunday was incredible – the best I’ve ever heard here. It was so loud from minute one, with the crowd roaring. Every time we attacked you fans were up on your feet and it must have been so intimidating for Chelsea. So the crowd deserved the result just as much as we did. Many of you supporters have followed us for six years now – it’s been one hell of a ride so far and hopefully we can win some major silverware for you.

So today is the last game of the season here in Leigh, with the Chelsea game on the final day being at Old Trafford. It’s funny how fast the season has flown by here. We have dropped some WSL points here that we definitely didn’t want to drop but the support here has always

been strong, and we do really appreciate that. It’s crazy that we are playing our FA Cup final opponents this weekend. We want to put our stamp on this game and let Tottenham know we mean business for the final. They have some great players and we know how organised they are – the manager has done an excellent job of shaping their game plan. We are looking forward to this game, just as we’re looking forward to playing them once again on 12 May.

Zel can’t recall a more enthused crowd here than the near-7,000 in attendance last weekend

SPEAKING TO US TWO DAYS AFTER THE CHELSEA WIN, MELVINE MALARD IS AS ANIMATED AS EVER AS SHE RECALLS A LIVELY CONCLUSION TO THE CUP CLASH, AND HER SMILE DOESN’T FADE AS WE CHAT ABOUT THE ‘BEAUTIFUL’ FANS, FASHION SHOPPING, AND WHY FA CUP SUCCESS WOULD BE SO SPECIAL FOR HER...

I’ve experienced many trophies, it’s true, but this feels historic

INTERVIEW: HELEN ROWE-WILLCOCKS

How did you enjoy being on the pitch last Sunday, Melvine – did you think that late, long-range shot was going to drop in the Chelsea net, because we did. And you seemed to love the celebrations at full-time – we’d expect nothing less from you! It was special, wasn’t it! I really enjoy the moment every time I’m on the pitch [from the start], or I come into a match, and I appreciate it especially more when we hold on to a victory at the end like the way we did against Chelsea. That shot was going to be one of my most beautiful memories [laughs] but hey, we’ll have to wait until the day comes [for a goal like that]... now that I’ve dared it once, I will have to try it again!

The noise inside Leigh Sports Village was something else at full-time. It felt like such a special moment for everyone inside the stadium. Was that the best atmosphere you’ve experienced in a United Women game? Certainly, seeing the supporters give so much from the beginning and stay that loud and proud until the end to give more and more, it was just amazing. It was obviously even better because we won the semi-final, of course, but it was fun and exciting to enjoy these moments. For me there is nothing more beautiful then when you meet the fans and you can read the happiness and joy, from the youngest fan to the oldest fan. I am in love with that.

We do have an amazing fan base. How does the atmosphere at games generally in England compare to the French league? Here in England the fans respond to every game, every time we meet, every moment. The atmosphere is crazy wherever we go –and not just games at our home ground. It’s true that in France, women’s football is less developed, which means that I really appreciate what’s happening over here.

Moving on to our next opponents (as well as our Cup final opponents), Tottenham. What are your memories of facing Spurs earlier in season, when you scored in a 4-0 win?

I remember this match, yes – we managed the match well and I remember having a lot of fun. I also had a few important moments in the match as well. I made a nice goal-pass for Ella, who lobbed the goalkeeper magically well to grab a goal and then I scored with a left-foot strike in the centre of the area while Hayley was on the ground... it’s full of memories, that game. It was a great team effort.

If we remember correctly, you could have had two goals, but it was later announced that you didn’t get a touch on Hannah’s cross... We definitely gave Hannah the goal! At the moment of the goal it’s true that with the speed of Hannah’s good cross I had the impression of hitting it but since I’m an honest person I can confirm that I didn’t touch it, so Hannah you did well! The goal is yours [laughs]. As long as we came home with victory, that was the most important thing at the final whistle.

IT’S TRUE THAT IN FRANCE, WOMEN’S FOOTBALL IS LESS DEVELOPED, WHICH MEANS I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT’S HAPPENING OVER HERE

That was a comfortable win, but we can’t read too much into it, can we, considering some of the results Spurs have had since December. Are they a team you know much about?

Yes, it’s true, it’s a team that doesn’t give up and puts a lot of intensity and rhythm into the game with a lot of quality, especially in attack. They have quite fast and technical players like Celin Bizet and Jessica Naz on the side who know how to make a difference individually but we also have defenders who know how to do a good job and

An effervescent presence on the training ground, every day of the week!

On the scoresheet against Spurs on a night when Malard was happy to claim just the one goal

A letter to my younger self

Kelly Smith | Former Professional Footballer & Barclays Football Ambassador

Dear Kelly,

One day you’ll let your hair grow long, because you won’t have to pretend to be a boy just to be allowed to play football. The world of football might not seem to be set up for you right now, but that’ll change and your story will be celebrated by women and girls everywhere.

Right now your feet hurt because your football boots are too small. Mum and Dad can’t afford adult sizes but absolutely nothing will stop you playing.

Hang in there - it’ll all be worth it, I promise.

That move across the pond (yes, America!) to play football when you’re 17 will be one of the hardest things you’ll do. Moving away means you’ll no longer have Mum and Dad on the sidelines to drown out opposition parents shouting stuff like, ‘break her legs!’.

Those awful comments are because you’re playing better than their sons and they can’t handle it.

Embrace the journey ahead. You’ll play plenty of games in boots that fit (even if the kit doesn’t) – 117 times for England, 112 for Arsenal, and more than 130 in the US.

Proud moments are ahead of you, so those boots might make your toes wonky, but they pave the path to greatness. You’ll retire as England’s top goal scorer and future generations of Lionesses will call you their hero.

Love, Kelly x

We’ve made a record-breaking commitment to women and girls’ football.

But for us, it’s never just about women’s football, it’s about creating a brighter future together.

Read the full letter at home.barclays/football

FULL NAME

Melvine Marie Ericka Malard

DATE OF BIRTH

28 June 2000

PLACE OF BIRTH Saint-Denis, Reunion

I’M SOMEONE WHO LOVES FASHION SO I FIND MYSELF GOING TO THE TRAFFORD CENTRE QUITE A BIT. I LOVE IT THERE!

keep players at bay. It’s set to be another good game – and now we have to play them twice!

YOUTH CAREER

Saint-Denis, Lyon

SENIOR CAREER

2017- Lyon

93 apps, 32 goals

2019-20 Fleury (loan)

11 apps, 3 goals

2022- Manchester United (loan) 24 games, 6 goals

INTERNATIONAL CAREER

France: 22 caps, 6 goals

This loan deal is the first time you have played outside of France. How have you found living in England to be, generally? Tell us about your favourite places to visit here on a day off… I am someone who loves fashion so I find myself going to the Trafford Centre quite a bit –it’s a huge shopping centre and it is something I often repeat. I love it there. I just like enjoying a brunch in good company and I have also enjoyed visiting the National Football Museum.

We know you love the sun too, but you’ve not had much chance to see it in Machester... The weather in England is often crazy. It’s mad! We can find sunshine at training at 11am followed by heavy rain at 1pm. Then some days during the week we get a hailstorm – I have never seen anything like that. I am still not used to it.

Even so, you seem to have settled in really well, and you always have a brilliant smile for us whenever we see you. What have you enjoyed most about being part of this squad?

Mel rejoices in the happiness of the crowd last Sunday

Embracing some of the local garb

Malard’s place in club history is assured after she scored our first-ever UWCL goal last October

LIFE IS PRETTY COOL IN ENGLAND. WHAT I LIKE IS PLAYING WITH ENGLISH INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS AND LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE STYLE OF PLAY OVER HERE

Life is pretty cool in England. The girls have made me feel very welcome. Despite my complicated English they listen and also help me communicate. What I like is playing with English international players and learning more about the style of play over here.

Do you have a favourite moment from the season so far?

Yes. Personally my favourite moment is my goal in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain at Leigh Sports Village, which is historic because it is the club’s first Champions League goal. And collectively

I loved celebrating Manchester United’s first victory against Chelsea to go to the FA Cup final. Now we have to go and win it – that would add to the collection of favourite moments.

MEL’S A REAL CHAMPIONNE

She’s still only 23, but Melvine already has a vast haul of winner’s medals, thanks to her superb record in finals, including victories in the Coupe de France Féminine – the French eqivalent of the Women’s FA Cup – with Lyon in 2019 and 2023. And her record on the European stage is even better. Although she wasn’t part of Lyon’s matchday squad when they won the Women’s Champions League in 2018 and 2019, in 2020 she returned from a loan spell at Fleury just in time to play a small part in Lyon’s third straight UWCL final triumph, coming on as a late sub against Wolfsburg. Two years later she started on the left of Lyon’s attack as they lifted the UWCL again, this time against Barça in Turin. She hit 17 goals from 35 games that season –a career best. Then there’s the 2019 UEFA U19 Championship, which the girl from Reunion (a French territory in the Indian Ocean) won with Les Bleuettes, as Mel lifted the tournament’s Golden Boot. Excellente!

You won the Coupe de France twice with Lyon, including just last season. What would it mean to you to experience such cup success again –especially with the final being at Wembley?

It’s true, that with Olympique Lyonnais I have experienced many trophies. However the journey travelled for us as a team this year, and with our fans, it feels historic which will make this final at Wembley a great moment for me.

Right: an U19 European champion, as France won the 2019 crown at St Mirren Park in Paisley, Scotland

2023/24 POSTER

FAN GALLERY

Hello Ruby, Phoebe and Keira, who have been to every game this season, home and away. We love the specs!

Poppy

It’s Nicole Bavister’s birthday. Her favourite player? She’s even got the hat to prove it!

Happy birthday Flo – love from Mum, Dad and Luca (as well as Ella and the Reds).

12th

Happy 12th birthday, Ava Beadle. We hope you have a great day.

‘Happy 7th birthday, Arlo Jay! Mummy loves you lots.’ He enjoys watching Millie play, and her TikToks!

Season ticket holders Martyn and Joe won hospitality seats for the Bristol City game. ‘Awesome memories!’ says Joe.

YOUR TEXT MESSAGES...

● Happy 13th birthday, Mia. Lots of love, Mum, Dad and Luke.

● A warm welcome to all the girls from Winton Wanderers Kestrels, and good luck for the rest of the season.

Season ticket holder Mikey is celebrating his 8th birthday this weekend. He loves attending games and cheering the Reds on.

Mundy celebrated her

birthday this week. She’s a huge Red, along with her big sister Ruby.

“ IT’S ONLY BEEN YEARS!”30

MEET GEORGINA, WHO EXACTLY THREE DECADES AGO PLAYED HER FINAL GAME FOR UNITED LADIES AMATEUR SIDE. ALTHOUGH SHE’S BEEN FOLLOWING KATIE ZELEM AND CO FROM AFAR, SHE TELLS US WHY IT FELT LIKE THE RIGHT TIME TO PROPERLY REKINDLE HER LOVE FOR THE REDS...

WORDS: CHARLIE GHAGAN

“H

onestly, I’ve wanted to go to a United Women game for ages, but I’ve held back because I just don’t know how I’d feel... not so much a feeling of jealousy, but more of ‘what if’?”

It’s early March and we’re chatting on the phone to Georgina Duncan – known as Georgina Williams until she married in 2006 – a lifelong United fan who grew up in Cheadle Heath, Stockport but now lives in Wythenshawe. These days, when the 55-year-old isn’t busy working shifts at Manchester Airport as a support team manager, she watches United – men and women – on TV whenever she gets the chance. “It’s incredible to watch them play as a professional team,” she says of the female Reds. Yet at the same time Georgina admits to harbouring a strange sensation when she sees Ella Toone, her former namesake Rachel and the rest smashing in the goals, as she was once doing the very same in a Reds shirt, across a 12-year spell beginning in 1982 for amateur team Manchester United Ladies – and not for one moment back then did she dream the women’s game could be where it is today, while continuing to grow all the time. As curious as it sounds, this is what has kept Georgina away from picking up her United scarf and getting over to the stadium, until a colleague at work heard of her past links to the club and persuaded her to attend the recent Everton game. It would be the first time Georgina had seen a female United team in action since she was last involved herself, 30 years ago in 1994. “Stewart, a friend in the office, is a season ticket holder and said

‘right, I’m going to the Everton game – why don’t you come?’” she explains. “I was like, ‘bloomin’ ’eck. I need to go to a game, don’t I... okay, I’m going!’”

Following our phone chat, Georgina agrees to meet us at Old Trafford, on a quiet Friday the week before the LSV meeting with the Toffees. Arriving with a scrapbook of photos, a few keepsakes from her career and a headful of memories, she’s only too happy to share her United story and pose for a few photos with her old shirt, as we overlook the pristine pitch that the current, professional Reds side will return to for a sixth time next month...

FROM THE PLAYGROUND TO THE CLIFF

“I’d have done anything to have played at Old Trafford, but now it’s just a regular thing for the team,” says Georgina, as she recalls her introduction to the sport. “As a kid, I’d just play outside the house with the lads, all the time. I tried to play at school, but it was very difficult back then. I’d show I was good enough in the playground but when it came to proper games – and I remember them well, we had a kit like Wolves, with black shorts – we had to ask the opposition if they were happy for a girl to play, and only about two teams ever said, ‘yeah okay, that’s fine.’ But the lads I played with outside my house, my mum got speaking to one of their parents, who said, ‘why not get her into a team as she plays as well as the lads?’ We’d never heard of such teams – we just thought only boys and men were in teams! – and he said, ‘no, United have a ladies’ team and here’s the number, and that was the number for [team manager] Anne Smith. So my mum phoned, and next thing I knew Mum was taking me to The Cliff!”

The mere mention of The Cliff – United’s legendary Salford training ground for several decades until the move to Carrington in 2000 –was enough to excite Georgina, who like so many young fans throughout the latter half of the 20th century would visit it to get a glimpse of their heroes – in her case those to play under the management of Dave Sexton and Ron Atkinson in the late ’70s and early ’80s. “It was completely different in those days as you could watch the players train. I remember seeing Gary Bailey,

Bryan Robson – my hero! – Frank Stapleton and many others. And when I heard from Anne and she told me where to meet, I was like, ‘oh god, I’m going to The Cliff to train!’ I couldn’t believe it.”

Smith, who created the team in 1977 (see p39 for more on her), had managed to secure the Friday-night slot through her club contacts, and all week long Georgina would look forward to that 90-minute session on the banks of the River Irwell.

“United also gave us kits, match balls, and got us insured. I always remember going to The Cliff and thinking, ‘I feel like a proper footballer doing this.’”

After proving her worth in those sessions, organised fixtures would soon follow for the teenager, who began her Reds career as a winger before moving into a centre-forward role – not that she’d always get her shirt number of choice.

“In those days everything was just thrown in a kit bag and you’d pick a shirt out – I always wanted no.7, like Robbo, but I usually ended up with no.9 because of where I played. Oh, and there was always a fight for the shorts! There would be a couple of tiny pairs left at the end, so in the end we all bought our own.

“Originally we had a plain red Umbro shirt but we did get proper United ones later – that made

Fridays at The Cliff meant “living the dream” (or, for others, hanging around outside with an autograph book)

I DIDN’T KNOW MY DAD IN THOSE DAYS SO TO HAVE MY MUM PUSHING ME TO PLAY WAS UNUSUAL. BUT SHE LOVED THAT

me really proud. As a kid I’d go in the Stretford End, when you could sit on the railings at the bottom with your legs hanging out as you watched the players. Wearing that shirt, I felt like one of them. I was actually representing Manchester United.”

USA BOUND, AND MAKING MUM PROUD

In those early years of United’s amateur team, home games were played in Stretford, close to the motorway junction, where the tiny (sometimes virtually non-existent) crowds often witnessed one-sided goal-fests. “I remember league games when I first started, we’d win 8-0, 9-0... there was even an 18-0 once. But then we started to play teams such as Ladyblues, who played at Curzon Ashton, and Kings, Leasowe and other teams around Liverpool. These were good sides.”

Holding one of the ‘MULFC’ shirts the amateur Reds would wear throughout the 1980s

As the appearances and goals racked up for Georgina, she’d become a key player – so much so, when Georgina was 19, Anne Smith put the free-scoring forward down as one of her three recommendations to go on a US college tour with a girls’ team from Dublin, after the United manager was asked to suggest suitable players to help boost the Irish side’s squad. With the US leading the way in women’s ‘soccer’ at the time, securing a stateside scholarship was the dream for all the girls, but as much as Georgina enjoyed the trip, she came to realise she “wouldn’t have wanted to stay” had an opportunity come about.

By this time she was starting to make a real name for herself locally in Greater Manchester, with her mum enjoying the whole experience just as much as she was. “Mum would take me to matches and she’d pick me up, and she’d always watch if she had time – she did it all, and she’d say ‘I’m so proud of you, playing for United’,” Georgina remembers. “She was a crazy United fan, but not sporty herself. In fact no one in the house was sporty apart from me but Mum really encouraged me to play. It was funny, I didn’t know my dad in those days so to have my mum pushing me to play football was unusual in itself. But she loved that. She’s passed away now but I’ll always remember how proud she was.”

In her mid-twenties, Georgina received an alaming health scare in the form of a cancer diagnosis, and while thankfully she would make a full recovery, it firmly put the brakes on her United career, and she had left the amateur Reds by the time they played at Wembley (twice – as curtain-raisers ahead of the men’s games there in the 1994 FA Cup semi-final and 1996 Charity

WHEN WE CAME OFF [AT VILLA PARK] THESE KIDS STOPPED ME AND ASKED FOR MY AUTOGRAPH –I THINK THAT WAS THE ULTIMATE FOR ME

Shield). Nevetheless, she does fondly recall the very occasional luxury of playing on a surface that was smoother than the usual bobbly mud-heaps.

“The games that stand out for me were at Villa Park,” she tells us, recalling two such trips to Birmingham B6 with United in the early ’90s. “They were five-a-side games before the men played there – they let us stay and watch and I recall seeing Lee Sharpe in a white shirt taking a corner, when they drew 1-1 [in April 1991].”

After lining up for the first Villa Park game in goal (all 5ft 4in of her, making Georgina the ideal keeper for five-a-side!) – the second visit saw her play further forward, where she “scored a few” on a day to cherish. “The crowd were jeering and cheering, supporting Villa or United, and when we came off these kids stopped me and asked for my autograph,” she recalls. “I thought, ‘oh, this is good!’ I think that day was the ultimate for me. I remember thinking, ‘if ladies’ football could be like this all the time, wouldn’t it be amazing’. But now look at it!”

While she hasn’t properly kicked a ball for 30 years, Georgina has continued to display a passion for alternative ball games. “I’ve always been very sporty – as in someone who prefers doing it to watching it,” she tells us. “So after football I went to tennis, and now it’s golf. But some of the lads at work play five-a-side and are like, ‘why don’t you come along?’ ‘Oh, I better not’, I tell them. Walking football, maybe I’ll do that one day!”

At this point, the conversation turns to the impending WSL clash between the Reds and Everton at Leigh Sports

Village – an occasion, we reassure her, she’ll surely enjoy, and deep down Georgina knows she will too. And while she might wonder what could have been for her and her amateur team-mates, she’s also quick to recognise that the competition to make the top grade is at a whole different level compared to her time in the United shirt. “I remember watching United Women on TV early on [after the professional side was formed in 2018], thinking that the standard had clearly got better, but even that is nothing like it is now,” she says. “The standard is so good now, if you look at how they are playing – I’m talking technically –you almost can’t tell it apart from the men’s game.”

After sharing so many stories of her past, and kindly donating her old trophies and boots (she liked to copy those worn by her hero Robbo, left) to the club Museum, we head down to the Old Trafford pitch – a surface she has set foot on previously, even if it wasn’t in a playing capacity. “Can you believe I was a ball girl here at the [1989] Women’s FA Cup final?” she tells us, and she’s even got a photo of that day, as well as a 50p programme from when Leasowe Pacific beat Friends of Fulham 3-2 at the Theatre of Dreams. The attendance that day? 914. It’s one of many such memories brought to life in Georgina’s pristine scrapbook, which we then take a closer look at... _>

GEORGE’S SCRAPBOOK

A SELECTION OF FASCINATING SNAPS FROM ACROSS A DOZEN YEARS AS AN AMATEUR RED

In October 1989, she got to meet many more of her United heroes (including Bryan Robson), where she really stood out in her shiny blue tracksuit!

What

Georgina (left of photo) poses with her team-mates after United win the Supplementary Cup – the Reds beating Ladyblues in the final. Interesting trophy!

Later into her career Georgina would play a deeper role for the team – here she is after lining up in defence as United beat Kings of Liverpool to secure a league and cup double. Next to her is team legend Dawn Holland.

At Bobby Charlton Soccer School where, as well as meeting the great man himself, the part-time keeper would chat to Gary Bailey

Included in this impressive trophy haul is a manager’s Player of the Year award, as well as the leading goalscorer award for the Reds.

The two trips to Villa Park saw her impress at both ends of the pitch, as United faced the women’s team known as Villa Aztecs.

an experience in April 1989 as she was one of the many young Reds chosen to be ball assistants at the Women’s FA Cup final at Old Trafford. Left: in the players’ tunnel that day, and the ‘Wonderfuel’ sight of the old Stretford End

VIEW FROM THE NORTH TERRACE...

“I decided to go in the North Stand for the Everton game and soak up the atmosphere, and there I found a true, loyal fan base who didn’t stop singing. Oh, to have heard them singing my name when I played… we’d have been lucky to get six supporters!

What struck me the most before kick-off was just how much the women’s game has come on. I loved watching the warm-ups and how the players go through drills in separate groups. I’d have loved to be on the pitch alongside them.

The first half belonged to Everton – they’d done their homework, they looked disciplined and their organisation paid off as they took the lead. United seemed to be lacking energy.

At half-time the crowd announcer [Alan Keegan] said there was a United legend attending for the first time and I was introduced to the crowd! It was a beautiful touch. I thought about how

The only downside for Georgina was that all five goals were scored up the other end!

GEORGINA SHARES HER LONG-AWAITED EXPERIENCE OF AN LSV MATCHDAY, WHEN WE FACED EVERTON

I would I have got on out on the pitch but as my knee clicked I thought, ‘maybe not today!’, despite my feet kicking every ball from the stands. And then the second half... a completely different United team came out. They pressed high up the field and didn’t give Everton the time they had in the first half. They clicked as a team. Finally, the match I dreamed about! United scored four well-taken goals to turn the game around –the result I was looking for as I didn’t want to be a bad omen on my first game. I left feeling very proud and happy, and looking forward to my next match.”

AT HALF-TIME I WAS INTRODUCED AS A UNITED LEGEND TO THE CROWD! IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL TOUCH

Meeting up with those good eggs from MUWSC on Easter Sunday

ANNE’S IMPACT

HOW A CLUB EMPLOYEE STEPPED UP TO CREATE A TRAILBLAZING TEAM

It was early 1977 when United’s amateur ladies’ side first came together, and Anne Smith is central to the story. At the time, Anne was Manchester United supporters’ club secretary, and when a group of female Reds from Dublin got in touch with her about a forthcoming trip to Old Trafford to watch Tommy Docherty’s Reds play in the Manchester derby, they asked about the possibility of playing a friendly while over.

Sure enough, Anne agreed to help form a team through her MUSC contacts and on one Sunday morning on 6 March 1977 at Hough End Playing Fields, near Princess Parkway, Anne’s all-female supporters’ club team beat the Irish side, known as Eleven CC, by a 4-3 scoreline. The referee? United’s 1968 European Cup-winning goalkeeper Alex Stepney, who’d recently had his testimonial with the club.

The game was such a success, a future issue of United Review included a story about the Dublin team’s trip, with the editorial noting that: ‘Special thanks were expressed to Alex Stepney for all his help, and Anne Smith, MUSC secretary, for all the arrangements made which resulted in a “weekend they will never forget”.’

As for the victorious ‘home’ team, they enjoyed it so much they didn’t want to end it

there, and after Anne helped arrange another kickabout, they were soon getting together weekly. Friendlies were organised and United Review helped the appeal for new players as much as new supporters – although finding a local league to play in was proving a challenge.

Equally problematic was finding someone to manage the team, with Anne among those on the pitch at the time. “Our standard was not very high – it couldn’t have been as I was playing!” she’d later admit. A total of five male managers all briefly took on the role, at which point a frustrated Anne decided to hang up her boots and lead from the dugout. As she’d later recall: “At this point ill health forced me into early retirement [from playing] – at least that’s my story! – so I decided to be manager, if only to find out why my male predecessors had so readily thrown in the towel.”

The much-loved Anne remained in the role for seven years until 1983, while continuing to work for the club, as did her husband David.

One key moment for the team came in May 1977, when the team played a charity game against the United players’ wives ahead of the men’s FA Cup final. It was played at Hyde United’s ground where over £700 was raised, and the publicity around it helped Anne get her team into the Three Counties Women’s Football League, while they also became part of the Women’s Football Association.

Anne was far from done there, however, and as the 1980s began, she was instrumental in helping to set up a local league, meaning less travel and reduced costs. The Women’s FA gave the green light to establish the Greater Manchester Women’s Football League in 1982, with United winning it for each of its first three seasons, and Georgina Williams being one of many young talents in that side...

Anne (back row, white top) was a popular manager who also worked for the club

THANKS TO CLIFF BUTLER AND ANDY SLATER)

CALLING FUTURE BALLERS

Football sessions for girls aged 12 to 14 who want to play their way.

A GLOVELY DAY OUT FOR GIRLS

United’s Academy keepers learn from the pros put through their paces by first-team goalkeeping coach, Ian Willcock, and experience the professional environment in close proximity to their heroes.

Goalkeepers from across various age groups of United’s Girls Academy had the opportunity to watch the Reds’ first-team keepers train at Carrington recently.

The young stoppers took inspiration from Mary Earps and Phallon Tullis-Joyce while the team stepped up their preparations for our victorious FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea, late last week.

The players had the chance to watch Mary and Phallon be

Girls Academy players train twice a week, with this opportunity an additional piece of wisdom and enrichment to reward them for their efforts throughout the season, as well as giving them a taste of what they could achieve in the future.

Matt Johnson, technical director of the Girls Academy,

said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to welcome some of the younger players in our Academy to Carrington and watch how the first-team goalkeeping department operates. Mary and Phallon are the ultimate role models for our young goalkeepers to aspire to emulate, as they strive for a playing career of their own.

“But this opportunity also allows them to witness the hard work and dedication that goes into becoming an elite professional, and what it takes to maintain the highest standards.

“All of our players in the Girls Academy work incredibly hard throughout the season, and we’re so glad to be able to offer opportunities such as this, to complement their development on and off the pitch.”

Under-13s goalkeeper

Kendall said: “I absolutely loved being at Carrington for this opportunity, learning from the professional goalkeepers and taking in all of their advice. It motivates me even more and I hope that one day I can be like them.”

The Girls Academy is managed by Manchester United Foundation up to Under-14 level. For more information, visit mufoundation.org/GirlsAcademy

The youngsters watch on at Carrington as Phallon and Mary are both put through their paces

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Much like United, Tottenham come into today on an immense high after reaching the FA Cup final. For Spurs, next month’s showpiece will be their first-ever appearance in a major final and also a maiden trip to Wembley Stadium.

It is indicative of the progress made since the appointment of Robert Vilahamn last summer. Spurs had spent most of 2021/22 within touching distance of the WSL top four as they finished fifth – their highest placing – only to then tumble down the standings last season and end up closer to relegation than the top half. Yet with five games of 2023/24 to play, Vilahamn’s team are only seven points shy of matching Spurs’ record top-flight tally of 32 points, six of which have come in their last two outings, at home to Leicester and away to Bristol City (both 1-0 wins).

The Swedish boss recently admitted he felt he “wasted” his own playing career, let down by a self-confessed lack of professionalism, but he’s used that to the betterment of his coaching.

A qualification in teaching also naturally lends itself to nurturing young talent and Grace Clinton, 21, and Celin Bizet Ildhusoy, 22, have been among Spurs’ most used players this term. There are signs that 23-year-old Jessica Naz is rediscovering her best form, while January saw the arrivals of Matilda Vinberg (21) and Charlotte Grant (22).

Allowed to leave United on loan to aid her development with consistent game-time, Clinton has arguably been their star performer, with five goals and four assists from midfield (second only to Thomas, with 10 goals, two assists), and Grace has even played her way into the England team in ‘23/24. Clinton is ineligible today against her parent club and her absence leaves a big hole for Vilahamn to fill, as it will in the final at Wembley.

Yet while Spurs are ultimately building with an eye on the future, there remains a core of real experience, with Bethany England, Ashleigh Neville, Drew Spence and Amy James-Turner bringing knowhow to a well-blended squad.

Joyous scenes last weekend, as Spurs recorded a fourth straight win (including their shoot-out success against Man City)

WORDS: JAMIE SPENCER

WIDE THREAT

JESSICA NAZ

Still only 23 but into a sixth year with Spurs, Naz – who played twice for rivals Arsenal in the WSL in 2017/18 – has reasserted herself after missing a chunk of last season through injury, and she was responsible for forcing extra-time against Leicester last weekend by demonstrating ice-cold composure to level. She also scored the winner in January’s 4-3 thriller v West Ham.

FORMER RED

MARTHA THOMAS

Thomas made Spurs the third WSL club of her career last September, after two years and 53 games for United. She enjoyed a fine start, netting six goals in her first four WSL appearances for Spurs, including a hat-trick against Aston Villa. The Scotland international also scored the only goal in Spurs’ famous win over Arsenal in December, before taking her side to Wembley last Sunday.

THE KNOWLEDGE

● The team was founded as Broxbourne Ladies in 1985, with permission to use the name Tottenham Hotspur granted in 1991.

● Spurs gained promotion to the WSL for the first time alongside the Reds in 2019.

HEAD COACH

ROBERT VILAHAMN

Vilahamn, 41, combined coaching and playing in Sweden’s lower leagues before moving into the women’s game in 2021, joining Damallsvenskan side BK Hacken after a stint as assistant with their men’s team. Hacken were top of the table when he offered himself to Spurs last summer, with the ambitious coach not satisfied with “doing fine in Sweden” and wanting to “take the next step”.

● Eleven previous meetings have resulted in 10 United wins and one draw.

● A team-record crowd of 19,480 saw December’s

north London derby victory at Tottenham Hotspur

Stadium – a figure nearly beaten as 18,078 attended their recent semi-final win.

SUBS USED: THOMAS, GRAHAM, GRANT, VINBERG, AHTINEN

TURNER v TURNER

OLD UNITED TEAM-MATES COULD REUNITE TODAY – BUT IS THE ANSWER TO THESE QUESTIONS ‘MILLIE’, OR IS IT ‘AMY’?

1 2 4 3

WHO MADE THEIR ENGLAND DEBUT FIRST?

WHO SCORED FOR UNITED FIRST?

WHO PLAYED EVERY GAME OF OUR FIRST SEASON?

WHO HAS PLAYED IN THE USA?

FAVOURITE FIXTURES

WE’VE HAD MORE WINS AGAINST TOTTENHAM THAN MOST OF OUR OTHER OPPONENTS!

EVERTON 13 WINS FROM 16 GAMES

BRIGHTON 11 WINS FROM 14 GAMES

TOTTENHAM 10 WINS FROM 11 GAMES

ASTON VILLA 9 WINS FROM 11 GAMES

LEICESTER 8 WINS FROM 11 GAMES

REARRANGE THE LETTERS TO FIND THREE REDS WHO FOUND THE NET AGAINST TOTTENHAM EARLIER THIS SEASON…

Here for every goal

Our record-breaking commitment to women’s and girls’ football is an investment in so much more. It’s an investment in creating a brighter future together.

● WSL TOP SCORERS, 2023/24 SEASON

Right: Williams’s header against former club Chelsea last weekend took her to 10 goals for the season (all competitions) – the first time she’s achieved this since 2015 while at Notts County (pictured)

Left: Daly shares the all-time record for goals in a single WSL campaign (22 for Villa last season; level with Vivianne Miedema in 2018/19)

● WSL TOP ASSISTS, 2023/24 SEASON

AND GOALS, 2023/24

FIXTURES & RESULTS

Facebook: manutdwomen

Match programme contact: MUWomenfamily@manutd.co.uk

For ticket information visit: ManUtd.com/Tickets

ADDED-TIME QUIZ TEN MORE QUESTIONS TO KEEP YOU THINKING, WITH SPURS CONNECTIONS APLENTY...

THE TURNER ROUND

From which local rival did United sign Amy Turner, now with Tottenham, in July 2018?

Amy scored our final goal of 2018/19 – against who?

In October of which year did United win 1-0 away to Spurs thanks to a Millie Turner header?

THEY’VE BEEN AT BOTH

DOWN THE YEARS

What was the final score as United beat Tottenham for our first-ever away WSL win?

← And which ex-United forward opened the scoring in that game, played at the Hive Stadium in 2019?

True or false: next month’s Women’s FA Cup final will be the first time the teams have met in a cup tie.

Which defender made her Reds debut in last May’s 3-0 WSL win over Tottenham?

Martha Thomas plays for which international team?

Grace Clinton is on loan at Spurs from United, but which club was she loaned out to last season? _>

After joining from Spurs, in which stadium did Rachel Williams score her first Reds goal (in a 5-0 WSL win)?

Manchester United Away 23/24

MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN

Gabby George

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR WOMEN

Leah Galton Hayley Ladd

Jayde Riviere

Gemma Evans

Lisa Naalsund

Lucia Garcia

Hinata Miyazawa

Millie Turner

Nikita Parris Geyse

Evie Rabjohn

Mary Earps (GK)

Rachel Williams

Emma Watson

Alyssa Aherne

Olivia Francis

Grace Clinton

Bethany England

Ellie Brazil

Ramona Petzelberger

Matilda Vinberg

Celin Bizet Ildhusoy

Kit Graham

Martha Thomas

Olga Ahtinen

Luana Buhler

Becky Spencer (GK)

Rosella Ayane

Drew Spence Eveliina Summanen