Despite supporting NUFCW for a number of years, this was the first season we were able to go ‘all in’ (mostly thanks to a reduction in weekend work commitments and that our kids have grown up and do their own thing on weekends so we have much more free time).
- Highest Attendance: 62,300 (England Women vs Spain Women)
- Lowest Attendance: 389 (Sunderland Women vs London City Lionesses)
- Best Game : Newcastle United Women 3 : Manchester City Women 3 (6-7 on pens)
It's an exciting time to watch women's footballl as we're receiving more coverage and investment. It's crazy to me how much a stadium experience can differ at this level. One day you're drinking Champagne in an Executive Suite at Old Trafford and the next you are standing at the side of a football field that definitely gives grassroot vibes.
I've really enjoyed the variety of experiences this year.
I've really enjoyed the variety of experiences this year.
What a blast this season has been! Genuinely had the best time. I've managed to visit 12 stadiums across the UK this season. Here are some of my favourite memories:
1 - Nottingham Forest Women vs Newcastle United Women at The City Ground
This was my first proper away day experience (other than local derbys) and our opening game of the season. It felt like years had passed since our last game and fans were in high spirits and good numbers. A feeling that kept going throughout the day as Newcastle won 2-1.
We travelled down on the official supporter coach for this one, there and back in a day. It cost around £50 return including our matchday ticket (purchased seperately).
This was a fantastic day out as like I say, everyone was in good spirits. The stadium has a capacity of 31,042 and has been here since 1898 so definitely has an old-school feel about it. The women's team share this stadium with the men's team and it was nice to watch a game in a Premier League ground.
I like to read up on the history of stadiums when I visit and the pitch here was badly bombed during WWII. It was also flooded when the River Trent burst it's banks in 1947 so has certainly been through the wars (literally!). There has been quite a bit of investment too and the stadium has had significant redevelopment through the years with more to come.
I will hopefully visit again next season.
This was one of my favourite away days of the year (despite us losing). Again, I travelled with the official supporter coach and we were there and back in a day.
You could tell Birmingham were serious about promotion. They go all out with their match day experience with an official fan zone just outside the stadium with a curry van, live DJ, mascots, mini funfair, face painting, stickers, bubble-o-logist, self serve bar and more. The pre-match vibes were fantastic with fans from both teams mixing and chatting about the upcoming game.
Inside the stadium, fans were fully mixed (which is not always the norm) and we were seated with a mix of Birmingham and Newcastle fans. I remember turning to a Birmingham fan after the game and letting them know that I thought they were going to win the league (and they might actually do that).
You could tell Birmingham were serious about promotion. They go all out with their match day experience with an official fan zone just outside the stadium with a curry van, live DJ, mascots, mini funfair, face painting, stickers, bubble-o-logist, self serve bar and more. The pre-match vibes were fantastic with fans from both teams mixing and chatting about the upcoming game.
Inside the stadium, fans were fully mixed (which is not always the norm) and we were seated with a mix of Birmingham and Newcastle fans. I remember turning to a Birmingham fan after the game and letting them know that I thought they were going to win the league (and they might actually do that).
I really liked this stadium and especially liked that they had loads of toilets and no queues!. It's not likely we will meet again next season but I'm sure we will one day.
Birmingham Women share this ground with the men's team who currently play Championship football.
4 - Maiden Castle (Durham Uni) : Durham Women vs Liverpool Woman and Durham Women vs Newcastle United Women
I visited Durham's home ground twice this season. It's based at their Uni Sports Centre and is unique in that aspect. The bar / fan zone is kind of like a leisure centre reception area. The drinks are cheap though and I got chatting with some fans who were friendly.
Durham is such a weird place to watch football and it's definitely a Love/Hate stadium. There is a small seated area but most away fans choose to stand. On our first visit, there was a bit of commotion as there was a rat on the pitch.
Durham is such a weird place to watch football and it's definitely a Love/Hate stadium. There is a small seated area but most away fans choose to stand. On our first visit, there was a bit of commotion as there was a rat on the pitch.
The pitchside barriers are quite high and it makes being able to get an overall view of the game pretty tricky. Some corners and throw ins were impossible to watch properly. Also the astroturf pitch is horrible - the ball does not bounce! I'm so pleased Newcastle have moved away from this.
However you can get SO close to the action (the above pic is not zoomed in). Literally within touching distance which I do like (in a non-stalker kind of way). You can chat to the lasses as they warm up, you can hear everything the players and managers are saying and I do like that aspect of the game.
However you can get SO close to the action (the above pic is not zoomed in). Literally within touching distance which I do like (in a non-stalker kind of way). You can chat to the lasses as they warm up, you can hear everything the players and managers are saying and I do like that aspect of the game.
I really enjoyed watching Durham vs Liverpool as a neutral - wow the Liverpool manager was animated and we could hear him constantly shouting at the ref (he did end up with a yellow card).
Durham is one of only a few teams in WSL that is not associated with a men's team and you have to applaud their independence.
Durham is one of only a few teams in WSL that is not associated with a men's team and you have to applaud their independence.
5 - Newcastle United Women vs Sunderland Women + the Sela Cup at St James’ Park
I'm not one to say we should play all of our home games at St James' Park but when we do play there, I absolutely love the sense of occasion. Love walking into Stack and seeing it filled with toon fans, love that we get new fans through the door and just love how important it all feels.
For the Sela Cup, we usually visit with extended family and I bring along those close to me to watch something that's close to my heart. There were 8 of us this time which was nice.
For the Sela Cup, we usually visit with extended family and I bring along those close to me to watch something that's close to my heart. There were 8 of us this time which was nice.
For the Sunderland game this year I did get a little carried away with the Prosecco and had a rather merry time. We met up with some of our football friends in Shearers after the game and one of our players walked past so we snapped a quick selfie with them. How random!
I'd love to see three games at St James' Park this year and I'd like to give Hospitality a try next season too.
The attendance for our Sunderland game was 18,972 which is the highest attended WSL2 match I watched this season (by quite a bit).
6 - Newcastle United Women vs Charlton at The Valley
8 - Sunderland Women vs Newcastle United Women at Stadium of Light
10 - Man United Women vs Man City Women at Old Trafford
I won hospitality tickets in a competition to watch this game and it was absolutely fantastic! Women's football with a side of unlimited Champagne and Cocktails was just the best. We decided to drive over, stay in a hotel and then drive back the following day (well straight to Sunderland for our derby game).
We were treated to a 4 course meal, cheese board at half time and unlimited drinks for 3 hours before, during and 1 hour after the game. We were taken onto the pitch during warm up and had excellent padded seats. I loved this experience so much that I'm definitely going to book bottomless brunch at a neatral ground again for a little weekend away next season. It's really good value!
There were over 24,000 fans in attendance and it was an excellent game watching top level talent. I wasn't too much of a fan of the ground overall though, especially as it didn't have a stadium clock or score board which is very annoying. I'm pleased I ticked this stadium off my list though.
Manchester United Women play their big games at Old Trafford and their usual home ground is Leigh Sports Village.
We were treated to a 4 course meal, cheese board at half time and unlimited drinks for 3 hours before, during and 1 hour after the game. We were taken onto the pitch during warm up and had excellent padded seats. I loved this experience so much that I'm definitely going to book bottomless brunch at a neatral ground again for a little weekend away next season. It's really good value!
There were over 24,000 fans in attendance and it was an excellent game watching top level talent. I wasn't too much of a fan of the ground overall though, especially as it didn't have a stadium clock or score board which is very annoying. I'm pleased I ticked this stadium off my list though.
Manchester United Women play their big games at Old Trafford and their usual home ground is Leigh Sports Village.
11 - England’s Lionesses vs Spain Women at Wembley
This was the second time I have watched women's football at Wembley and was the first time I watched the Lionesses. Wembley Stadium is an experience like no other!
Walking down Wembley Way and seeing more fans that would fill St James' Park there to watch Women's Football made me want to cry.
There's a fab outdoor fan zone with a live DJ and street food vendors / a bar and Wembley Stadium has escalators so you don't need to walk up too many steps.
The atmosphere was like no other and really shows the potential of the game. The massive roar of the crowd as England pressed forward or had a big chance is something that will stay with me forever.
The attendance was 62,300 for this game. Our tickets were the cheapest ones available (£25 each) and when we visit again, I will pay more so we can sit closer to the pitch.
One thing I found strange was that there is no drinking in the bowl at Wembley which is weird as most of the larger stadiums permit it. Not that it made a difference mind.
Afterwards we popped along to the official after-party at Box Park which was a brilliant night with everyone in their England shirts dancing the night away. Such a good atmosphere and weekend away.
Walking down Wembley Way and seeing more fans that would fill St James' Park there to watch Women's Football made me want to cry.
There's a fab outdoor fan zone with a live DJ and street food vendors / a bar and Wembley Stadium has escalators so you don't need to walk up too many steps.
The atmosphere was like no other and really shows the potential of the game. The massive roar of the crowd as England pressed forward or had a big chance is something that will stay with me forever.
The attendance was 62,300 for this game. Our tickets were the cheapest ones available (£25 each) and when we visit again, I will pay more so we can sit closer to the pitch.
One thing I found strange was that there is no drinking in the bowl at Wembley which is weird as most of the larger stadiums permit it. Not that it made a difference mind.
Afterwards we popped along to the official after-party at Box Park which was a brilliant night with everyone in their England shirts dancing the night away. Such a good atmosphere and weekend away.
This was a match I will NEVER forget and was my joint favourite from the season.
We did this as an overnight trip with the train and stayed in Central London.
We did this as an overnight trip with the train and stayed in Central London.
12 - Home Games at Gateshead Stadium
This is a slightly unpopular opinion but I actually really like Gateshead Stadium. The team and community put so much effort into the matchday experience - we have a pitchside host which no other stadium I have been to this season has and I really think they make a difference.
Wor Flags are waved and displayed, we have Monty & Maggie posing for photos, a live DJ, often a live band pre-match, free football face painting and crafts, competitions, themed events like Easter Egg hunts around the ground and local food trucks serving very good coffee and treats like crumble and custard.
Yes we can't get close to the action like we can at Durham or Sunderland's home grounds but I love my seat and my view which gives an excellent perspective of the full game. I sit pretty much on the half way line and it also offers a fantastic view when the players leave the tunnel.
We share this stadium with Gateshead Men and our average attendance is usually between 2000 & 2500 with a record attendance of 3012 for our game against Man City.
It's the people who make it though - we sit with some lovely people around us and it's always nice to catch up / chat football with like-minded people.
Wor Flags are waved and displayed, we have Monty & Maggie posing for photos, a live DJ, often a live band pre-match, free football face painting and crafts, competitions, themed events like Easter Egg hunts around the ground and local food trucks serving very good coffee and treats like crumble and custard.
Yes we can't get close to the action like we can at Durham or Sunderland's home grounds but I love my seat and my view which gives an excellent perspective of the full game. I sit pretty much on the half way line and it also offers a fantastic view when the players leave the tunnel.
We share this stadium with Gateshead Men and our average attendance is usually between 2000 & 2500 with a record attendance of 3012 for our game against Man City.
It's the people who make it though - we sit with some lovely people around us and it's always nice to catch up / chat football with like-minded people.
Stand out games for me were when we played Man City in the cup and the score was 3-3 after normal and extra time (ended up losing in pens 6-7). Man City are probably going to win the WSL title this season so for us to hold them to a draw when they put out a full team still was incredible. The atmosphere for this game was electric!
Another favourite memory is when my favourite Jordan Nobbs scored a goal on her birthday and we all celebrated by singing Happy Birthday. This was a Monday night game under the lights in December (the day after my own birthday) and the crowd went crazy. It's shared memories like this that I cherish.
Another favourite memory is when my favourite Jordan Nobbs scored a goal on her birthday and we all celebrated by singing Happy Birthday. This was a Monday night game under the lights in December (the day after my own birthday) and the crowd went crazy. It's shared memories like this that I cherish.
What a season. I can't wait to see where next season will take us on our travels. I definitely want to visit Wembley again and maybe next year will be the first year we travel to an international game. I'd love to watch a game at the Emirates and watch London City at home too. We will see though........
It's our last game of the season on Saturday. We are out of the promotion race now so it's just going to be a nice chance to really enjoy the game. We take on Durham at Gateshead Stadium and have actually never beaten them so maybe Saturday will be the day. It's forecast to be 17C and sunny so if you fancy joining us, you can buy tickets here: https://book.newcastleunited.com/en-GB/categories/NUW%20Team
The last day of the season is also bittersweet as with the level we are playing at now, mass changes are very possible so we could be watching our favourite players wear a Black and White shirt for a final time without knowing it.
It's our last game of the season on Saturday. We are out of the promotion race now so it's just going to be a nice chance to really enjoy the game. We take on Durham at Gateshead Stadium and have actually never beaten them so maybe Saturday will be the day. It's forecast to be 17C and sunny so if you fancy joining us, you can buy tickets here: https://book.newcastleunited.com/en-GB/categories/NUW%20Team
The last day of the season is also bittersweet as with the level we are playing at now, mass changes are very possible so we could be watching our favourite players wear a Black and White shirt for a final time without knowing it.
Last season, 12 players left us after the end of the season (including our captain) and we never really got a chance to say goodbye and thank you which was sad. I'm sure a lot of us will have this in mind and give the lasses a cracking final game of the seasons and show our support as much as we can from the stands.
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