We are delighted to confirm our involvement in the Football Supporters’ Association’s Women’s Trophy, as part of our pre-season friendly with Chester this Sunday.
It’s the first friendly of the summer, for Jason Jarrett’s side as he looks to assess the squad. 12 players have been retained from a very successful season for our Women’s side. Click here to view the retained list.
Off the field, this weekend our fixtures are dedicated to our Month of Action in support of Mind, the national mental health charity, aimed at promoting mental wellbeing and reducing the stigma around mental health issues.
All proceeds from these matches will go directly to support the work of Mind at a local level, helping them provide essential services and support to those in our community who need it most.
FSA Women’s Trophy
The inaugural FSA Women’s Trophy was launched in 2023, and runs alongside the long-standing Brian Lomax Trophy and FSA Shield games in the men’s game. All three trophies celebrate football club community-ownership.
The introduction of the fixture stemmed from a project called ‘Nevertheless, She Persisted’ which was a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the ban on women’s football, as well as the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the lifting of the ban.
The project saw two fixtures (one in the South and one in the North) take place between four community-owned women’s teams (Enfield Town Women v Grays Athletic Women and FC United of Manchester Women v Clapton CFC) back in the summer of 2021.
The current holders are Clapton CFC Women, who beat Enfield Town 3-1 at the Dave Bryant Stadium last July, which meant they retained the title having beaten FC United of Manchester in 2023.
Richard Irving, Network Manager at the FSA said:
“The FSA Women’s Trophy will be a celebration of both women’s football and community ownership with both clubs being owned by their fans.
“With the club’s men’s teams playing the day before, the FSA fully endorses the focus and commitment to women’s clubs which we see across our Community-Owned Club Network.”
Our women’s first team play in the North West Women’s Regional League Premier Division, whilst Chester play in Division 1 South of the same league.
Deborah Dilworth, head of women’s football at the FSA added:
“We are delighted that the FSA Women’s Trophy will be held at such an historic venue as Gigg Lane. We look forward to what is certain to be a competitive pre-season fixture and a wonderful advertisement for women’s football and community ownership of football clubs.
“We’re sure fans of both clubs will come out to support the teams at a time when the women’s game continues to grow. It promises to be a fantastic day for women’s football with the Lionesses also defending their Euro title that evening when they take on Wales in Switzerland.”
On the Day & In the Ground
Our Matchday @ Gigg guide is available to read to find out everything you need to know going on in and around the ground.
Tickets are still on sale via our ticketing page on our website. Turnstiles will be open from 1pm. Pay on the day is also available.
Match Coverage & Live Stream
If you are unable to make it to the action at Gigg Lane, we’ll have all the live coverage across our media platforms.
Social Media: Our team will also bring you in-depth text commentary via the club ‘MatchDay Live‘ X/Twitter feed, with team news and half time and full time updates available also on Facebook and feel like you are there with our match galleries and imagery available over on Instagram.
Whatever the weather, wherever you are across the globe, we have you covered.
Up the Shakers!