Ladies Manager Departs

[oxonian]

Not surprised really. Another poor season.
https://www.oufc.co.uk/news/2018/may/andy-cook-departs/

 

[mooro]

Saw his comments before the game which were along the lines of 'probably the last time that we play together'.

I hope that it is just him departing rather than the whole Ladies side being downgraded. They didnt put in a bid to stay in the WSL2 when first asked, but I think did so at the second pass, but I have no idea whether they have been accepted/declined/ still waiting to hear?
Having got into WSL2 when it was first set up, I think it would be a great shame if we stepped back from it now

 

[Didcotox]

I just cannot get excited about woman's football, whether it's national or club level. I don't look out for Oxfords result, and if I happen to see a result I feel nothing if they have lost.
I don't know how much revenue the female team generates or if it runs at a loss but if it is the latter I would get rid personally.
Happy to be educated by people in the know.

 

[JuanPabloRaponi]

I just cannot get excited about woman's football, whether it's national or club level. I don't look out for Oxfords result, and if I happen to see a result I feel nothing if they have lost.
I don't know how much revenue the female team generates or if it runs at a loss but if it is the latter I would get rid personally.
Happy to be educated by people in the know.

If, when I have kids, and I have a daughter I would love for her to have female role models representing Oxford United that she can not only look up to them but can also aspire to pull on a yellow shirt one day.

Sometimes it's not about revenue.

As a club, we should be encouraging young girls to play and engage with sport and have somewhere to go. Sport creates friendships, memories, helps with self-esteem and provides brilliant life lessons whether playing or spectating.

I think a ladies side is brilliant and as long as it isn't completely draining the club of resources (which I doubt it is) then we should do everything we can to support it and keep it going.

Ladies sport and in particular football is only going to grow and grow and we could be missing out on the potential greater coverage of the OUFC brand without one.

 

[Didcotox]

If, when I have kids, and I have a daughter I would love for her to have female role models representing Oxford United that she can not only look up to them but can also aspire to pull on a yellow shirt one day.

Sometimes it's not about revenue.

As a club, we should be encouraging young girls to play and engage with sport and have somewhere to go. Sport creates friendships, memories, helps with self-esteem and provides brilliant life lessons whether playing or spectating.

I think a ladies side is brilliant and as long as it isn't completely draining the club of resources (which I doubt it is) then we should do everything we can to support it and keep it going.

Ladies sport and in particular football is only going to grow and grow and we could be missing out on the potential greater coverage of the OUFC brand without one.

Unfortunately there is little I can do, when I have no interest in the product on offer.

 

[Craig]

It's easy to say another poor season just by looking at the league table, but there has been definite progress and a number of games have been defined by small margins. There were games where we were just outclassed, but quite a few games could have gone either way. If you're a ST holder, entry is just £1. So you can get a pint and a game of football for less than £5. Incredible value.

Saw his comments before the game which were along the lines of 'probably the last time that we play together'.

I hope that it is just him departing rather than the whole Ladies side being downgraded. They didnt put in a bid to stay in the WSL2 when first asked, but I think did so at the second pass, but I have no idea whether they have been accepted/declined/ still waiting to hear?
Having got into WSL2 when it was first set up, I think it would be a great shame if we stepped back from it now

We didn't apply for a Women's Championship (formally WSL2) license when we first had the option. Personally I found that very disappointing and could be a big mistake if we are basically chosen to be relegated. The club took a wait and see approach, but I (skim) read the application, it was over 100 pages and outlined everything. Granted there were aspects I didn't personally agree with, but that's another story. It's also really shitty that Doncaster can't gain promotion because they basically can't afford it - football should be about results, not money. But that's the FA for you.

I believe we should hear before the end of the month.

I just cannot get excited about woman's football, whether it's national or club level. I don't look out for Oxfords result, and if I happen to see a result I feel nothing if they have lost.
I don't know how much revenue the female team generates or if it runs at a loss but if it is the latter I would get rid personally.
Happy to be educated by people in the know.

I believe all women's football teams - just like the majority of men's teams - run at a loss. In this country anyway. Don't know anything about the commercial setups of places like France, Germany and the US.

I could be mistaken, but I think we lose tens of thousands a year. Peanuts in football terms, especially when you can see first hand just how much it means to the players and fans who attend. Watching the kids - both girls and boys - react the way they do is great to witness. One of my favourite (non-Oxford) Wembley moments is actually from a few years ago when Arsenal played Chelsea and a young lad went absolutely crazy when he saw Kirby warming up before the match.

 

[Craig]

I forgot to say - thanks Andy. All the best in the future mate.

If, when I have kids, and I have a daughter I would love for her to have female role models representing Oxford United that she can not only look up to them but can also aspire to pull on a yellow shirt one day.

Sometimes it's not about revenue.

As a club, we should be encouraging young girls to play and engage with sport and have somewhere to go. Sport creates friendships, memories, helps with self-esteem and provides brilliant life lessons whether playing or spectating.

I think a ladies side is brilliant and as long as it isn't completely draining the club of resources (which I doubt it is) then we should do everything we can to support it and keep it going.

Ladies sport and in particular football is only going to grow and grow and we could be missing out on the potential greater coverage of the OUFC brand without one.

A lot of good points.

Re: OUFC brand. If we are successful and gain Women's Championship status, it's great to think there will be an OUFC v Man U league match. If that happens, hopefully it'll be the first game of the season - the press will lap it up, being their first professional game and all. May even be televised (BT Sport or BBC Red Button).

 

[JuanPabloRaponi]

Unfortunately there is little I can do, when I have no interest in the product on offer.

That's absolutely fine, you don't have to watch or even care about it!

 

[iambungle]

I forgot to say - thanks Andy. All the best in the future mate.



A lot of good points.

Re: OUFC brand. If we are successful and gain Women's Championship status, it's great to think there will be an OUFC v Man U league match. If that happens, hopefully it'll be the first game of the season - the press will lap it up, being their first professional game and all. May even be televised (BT Sport or BBC Red Button).

Man U? They are only just setting up a womens team which for the supposed 'biggest club in world football' is p**s poor!

 

[Jerome'SAle]

Unfortunately there is little I can do, when I have no interest in the product on offer.

You are interested enough to make two posts on this thread telling everyone how uninterested you are!!!

 

[Didcotox]

You are interested enough to make two posts on this thread telling everyone how uninterested you are!!!

My second comment was a reply to "we must do everything....."
And I'll comment on what I like thank you. I, personally would bin the ladies team. That is a very selfish point of view I accept, but there is little interest in it and I don't think it's worth spending a penny on. That is why I comment.

 

[WokinghamYellow]

I am sure young female followers of the women’s team would also become supporters of the men’s side therefore increasing revenue and exposure across the county for the club

 

[Craig]

Man U? They are only just setting up a womens team which for the supposed 'biggest club in world football' is P**s poor!

I agree, there’s no excuse for not having a women’s team. They have been heavily criticised in the past and rightfully so. They’ve always had a girls’ CoE, so helped with their development until 16 or so.

With that said, they are still a massive club with a worldwide following. Bringing more eyes to the sport can only be a good thing.

 

[Jerome'SAle]

My second comment was a reply to "we must do everything....."
And I'll comment on what I like thank you. I, personally would bin the ladies team. That is a very selfish point of view I accept, but there is little interest in it and I don't think it's worth spending a penny on. That is why I comment.

You think all things that you arent a fan of should be stopped immediately? Interesting viewpoint.

Would make league one pretty easy next year, bit dull turning up to see Oxford play against no one each week though.

 

[Didcotox]

You think all things that you arent a fan of should be stopped immediately? Interesting viewpoint.

Would make league one pretty easy next year, bit dull turning up to see Oxford play against no one each week though.

Clearly not what I said. My point is that there is little interest in the women's game so is it worth running at a loss?

 

[beyondthefourth]

Clearly not what I said. My point is that there is little interest in the women's game so is it worth running at a loss?

There is increasing interest in the women's game, it is worth getting a place at the table early on.

 

[JuanPabloRaponi]

Clearly not what I said. My point is that there is little interest in the women's game so is it worth running at a loss?

Just because you're not interested doesn't mean there is little interest.

Compare it to men's football which is the most popular sport in the world and nothing can compete in terms of interest - therefor should all other sports stop because there isn't as much interest compared to men's football?

 

[Didcotox]

There is increasing interest in the women's game, it is worth getting a place at the table early on.

Valid point.
Have you any figures for attendances/income and has that increased in the 3-4 years we have been running a female team. Has that increasing interest shown in attendances etc?
As I said in my first post on this topic, I am happy to be educated on the topic.

 

[Didcotox]

Just because you're not interested doesn't mean there is little interest.

Compare it to men's football which is the most popular sport in the world and nothing can compete in terms of interest - therefor should all other sports stop because there isn't as much interest compared to men's football?

How much interest is there? Give me some figures?
There is little coverage in the local media with regards women's football, I didn't even know the season had ended until the start of this thread. There is rarely a discussion about the female team on here, no clamour over signing, no match threads so where is the interest? Where is there a desire for a female Oxford team from a significant proportion of fans to warrant tens of thousand pounds a year loss as previously quoted?

 

[Jerome'SAle]

Valid point.
Have you any figures for attendances/income and has that increased in the 3-4 years we have been running a female team. Has that increasing interest shown in attendances etc?
As I said in my first post on this topic, I am happy to be educated on the topic.

Google it if your interested

 

[Marked Ox]

How much interest is there? Give me some figures?
There is little coverage in the local media with regards women's football, I didn't even know the season had ended until the start of this thread. There is rarely a discussion about the female team on here, no clamour over signing, no match threads so where is the interest? Where is there a desire for a female Oxford team from a significant proportion of fans to warrant tens of thousand pounds a year loss as previously quoted?

Why is interest only measured by spectators?

How about being a focal point to increase participation in local girls/womens football locally. I believe (but could be wrong) girls/womens football is one of the faster growing sports (playing) in the UK.

 

[Didcotox]

Google it if your interested

I have done. There is little readily available info into the matter, which imo shows how little interest there is.
Oxfords attendances appear to be between 200-300 a game. Adult season tickets are £40, concessions £15 and under 7's free. Therefore I cannot see the club generating much more than £15k in gate receipts a year, and that is a very generous estimate. The club website shows we have 18 players, earning according to the report I read between £5k and £10k a season. That's potentially £180k a year just on player salaries. Then we have staff, expenses to consider......see where I am going with this? Sponsorship is not going to make up the difference when we are only attracting a small % of fans compared to the men's team.
To qualify for WPL 1, teams have to introduce a full youth set up. The costs involved currently far outweigh any benefit. I like a previous claim that it is gaining in popularity and we currently have a seat at the table and shouldn't give it up easily but as yet I am unable to find any evidence that it's popularity has increased that much to justify a small club in Oxfordshire forking out thousands upon thousands for.
On to the team itself, it appears the budget was increased this year with a view to obtaining a top 6 finish. They finished 8th out 10 teams with only 12 points! 11 points behind the team in 6th.

 

[JuanPabloRaponi]

How much interest is there? Give me some figures?
There is little coverage in the local media with regards women's football, I didn't even know the season had ended until the start of this thread. There is rarely a discussion about the female team on here, no clamour over signing, no match threads so where is the interest? Where is there a desire for a female Oxford team from a significant proportion of fans to warrant tens of thousand pounds a year loss as previously quoted?

Ill start with this article from the bbc published in March. "The number of fans attending elite women's sport in the UK is set to break the half-million barrier for the first time in 2018," - women's sport is growing. Are we ca club that can buy it's way in further down the line? No probably not, so let's be involved now and ride the wave.

The field hockey (a much smaller sport with next to no coverage) world cup to be held in London later in the year has sold out. Wembley had over 40,000 attend, a record. Women's sport is growing whether you;ve noticed it or now.

Here are the facts fro the last 5 years mapping the rise of attendance at the women's FA Cup final. From 4,988 to 35,271 in 5 years then another 10,000 on top this year.

But yea no interest.

As for local media... They are small and have to focus on readers and play safe. Oxford United men is a safe bet and guarantees readers. OUFC ladies or some local rugby/tennis/hockey club does not. There are livelihoods at stake if local media goes under. I don't agree with the approach but i understand it. As it grows nationally this will filter down to local media. You can only really say that womens sport has been given a fair crack in the last few years, you can't expect local media to follow straight away. Give it time.

FYI here is an article from the Oxford Mail about Oxford Uniter Women FC family fun day

I'm then going to come back to the social responsibility of the club. I want my football club to be a positive role model to everyone. male and female. There ar numerous reasons for this. the biggest one is encouraging young girls to be involved with sport. Im not so selfish as a middle-class white male to disregard this. I know I have had a lot of subconscious advantages in my upbringing. To give you an example in context growing up loving and idolising Joey Beauchamp, why? He's a legend, but he's relatable to me. I could picture myself being him. Do I relate to top female athletes, nope. Certainly not in the same way.

On that social responsibility here are 10 reasons why sport is good for kids, I believe that if young girls who are being brought up around football have the direct role models they are more likely to get involved.

You have to understand this is like anything, it is about building and growing. Will it be a hit overnight? No, and it's ridiculous to think it should be.

Im pretty sure Lauren Haynes of OUFC in the community does a lot of good stuff, in fact she won an award for her work in the community along with Curtis Nelson at the end of season. You could fairly easily argue Lauren acts as a role model, girls look up to her and become OUFC fans off the back of it which equals future revenue for both the mens and ladies sides in the future.

A sthis seems to be all abotu the money for you can I ask that in return can you provide the figures (with links to proof) that back up your claims about the finances. Thanks in advance. As th

Like Isaid before as long as it isn't completely draining the club then it is a good thing.

 

[Didcotox]

Ill start with this article from the bbc published in March. "The number of fans attending elite women's sport in the UK is set to break the half-million barrier for the first time in 2018," - women's sport is growing. Are we ca club that can buy it's way in further down the line? No probably not, so let's be involved now and ride the wave.

The field hockey (a much smaller sport with next to no coverage) world cup to be held in London later in the year has sold out. Wembley had over 40,000 attend, a record. Women's sport is growing whether you;ve noticed it or now.

Here are the facts fro the last 5 years mapping the rise of attendance at the women's FA Cup final. From 4,988 to 35,271 in 5 years then another 10,000 on top this year.

But yea no interest.

As for local media... They are small and have to focus on readers and play safe. Oxford United men is a safe bet and guarantees readers. OUFC ladies or some local rugby/tennis/hockey club does not. There are livelihoods at stake if local media goes under. I don't agree with the approach but i understand it. As it grows nationally this will filter down to local media. You can only really say that womens sport has been given a fair crack in the last few years, you can't expect local media to follow straight away. Give it time.

FYI here is an article from the Oxford Mail about Oxford Uniter Women FC family fun day

I'm then going to come back to the social responsibility of the club. I want my football club to be a positive role model to everyone. male and female. There ar numerous reasons for this. the biggest one is encouraging young girls to be involved with sport. Im not so selfish as a middle-class white male to disregard this. I know I have had a lot of subconscious advantages in my upbringing. To give you an example in context growing up loving and idolising Joey Beachump, why? He's a legend, but he's relatable to me. I could picture myself being him. Do I relate to top female athletes, nope. Certainly not in the same way.

On that social responsibility here are 10 reasons why sport is good for kids, I believe that if young girls who are being brought up around football have the direct role models they are more likely to get involved.

You have to understand this is like anything, it is about building and growing. Will it be a hit overnight? No, and it's ridiculous to think it should be.

Im pretty sure Lauren Haynes of OUFC in the community does a lot of good stuff, in fact she won an award for her work in the community along with Curtis Nelson at the end of season. You could fairly easily argue Lauren acts as a role model, girls look up to her and become OUFC fans off the back of it which equals future revenue for both the mens and ladies sides in the future.

A sthis seems to be all abotu the money for you can I ask that in return can you provide the figures (with links to proof) that back up your claims about the finances. Thanks in advance. As th

Like Isaid before as long as it isn't completely draining the club then it is a good thing.

As I was told previously.....google it if you're interested!!!! I did and the info I got was all from articles found at the top of the search. I could not find any evidence that showed the women's team attendance had increased since it was started.
Yes it is about finances for me, absolutely correct. I'd rather the money was spent on a transfer fee for the first team.

 

[JuanPabloRaponi]

As I was told previously.....google it if you're interested!!!! I did and the info I got was all from articles found at the top of the search. I could not find any evidence that showed the women's team attendance had increased since it was started.
Yes it is about finances for me, absolutely correct. I'd rather the money was spent on a transfer fee for the first team.

That's an incredibly selfish and short sighted way of thinking that lacks any long-term ambition for the club and ignores the social responsibility. But you are entitled to your opinion and I accept it.

I didn't ask you to google anything, I went and found it and if you're not going to engage in a grown-up debate and do the same then I am done wasting my time xx

 

[oufcbenjyp]

I'm in full support of us supporting women's football. Like everything you've got to start somewhere. Will it be successful immediately, of course not but very few things actually are. I actually prefer watching England's Ladies rather than England's Men - there seems to be a cohesion and will to win that you don't see from the overpaid prima donnas in the men's game.

 

[Craig]

I have done. There is little readily available info into the matter, which imo shows how little interest there is.
Oxfords attendances appear to be between 200-300 a game. Adult season tickets are £40, concessions £15 and under 7's free. Therefore I cannot see the club generating much more than £15k in gate receipts a year, and that is a very generous estimate. The club website shows we have 18 players, earning according to the report I read between £5k and £10k a season. That's potentially £180k a year just on player salaries. Then we have staff, expenses to consider......see where I am going with this? Sponsorship is not going to make up the difference when we are only attracting a small % of fans compared to the men's team.
To qualify for WPL 1, teams have to introduce a full youth set up. The costs involved currently far outweigh any benefit. I like a previous claim that it is gaining in popularity and we currently have a seat at the table and shouldn't give it up easily but as yet I am unable to find any evidence that it's popularity has increased that much to justify a small club in Oxfordshire forking out thousands upon thousands for.
On to the team itself, it appears the budget was increased this year with a view to obtaining a top 6 finish. They finished 8th out 10 teams with only 12 points! 11 points behind the team in 6th.

We had nearly 800 at the Man City game, over 500 against Watford and a game over 400, too. Can’t remember who though. That’s not bad when you consider we’ve just moved grounds. It’s also not a valid to make comparisons to past years because women’s football moved to a winter league for the first time, so now has direct competition from men’s football, as well as other sports. And the poor weather, of course. It would be fairer to make a comparison after next season. I think Oxford City have similar attendances, maybe less. I’d be surprised if any of their games attracted nearly 800 fans.

It’s also a great gateway to football in general. I intend on taking my niece next season, buying her a shirt, having her name printed on the back and who knows, she may end up being a lifelong U’s fan. The same might be true for the hundreds of kids that attend women’s games throughout the season. It’s presented in such a way that it is much more accessible than men’s football, from watching the game itself, which is very relaxed to how open and available the players are to fans.

Remember that women’s football is still in its infancy and is growing. There were more people at the Women’s FA Cup final this year than some of the other finals at Wembley.

And come on, the budget card, really? Given our budget and our near disaster of a season?! I had a chuckle.

At the end of the day, you’re entitled to your opinion, but it’s not your money. Nor mine. So we can can play ‘would you rather?’ all we want, it won’t change anything. I would rather a women’s team, filled with passionate players, who play for the love of the game. A group of role models that kids can be proud of and aspire to be. An avenue for children to access sport and a more positive lifestyle. You would prefer a player, or at least some of his wages. Fair enough.

 

[Jerome'SAle]

Yes it is about finances for me, absolutely correct. I'd rather the money was spent on a transfer fee for the first team.

If its all about the finances, the mens teams lose a hell of a lot more money than the ladies teams do. My friends daughter paid to play. The mens team should be culled first if we are basing the decision on bottom line.

 

[FalmouthOx]

I fully support the development of womens football. We are a community club. Trying to justify saving £50k a year when the popularity is growing exponentially is short sighted.

 

[Craig]

Apparently we have been told we won’t be given a WSL2/Championship licence next season, so the clueless FA have basically chosen us to be relegated from a division, where we have earned our place on the pitch, in favour of money. Want people to take a sport seriously? Try not destroying it’s credibility at every opportunity. Bunch of c***s.