With Brentford Women’s season opener against Hounslow Ladies cancelled on Sunday 20 August, the club decided to put on a watch party at Bedfont Sports Club to support England's Women’s team who faced Spain in the World Cup Final.
The Lionesses aimed to claim their second piece of silverware since their European Championship triumph in 2022, with the side flying through the knockout stages before meeting Spain in the World Cup Final.
Members of the first team, staff, supporters and Club Ambassador, Marcus Gayle, were all on show at Bedfont Sports Club to get behind England, but a first-half Spain goal saw Sarina Wiegman’s side fall to a 1-0 defeat in Sydney, Australia.
Despite the defeat, members of Brentford Women were left proud of their country’s efforts including general manager, Amy Crook, who was in attendance at the women’s home ground.
She said: “We were gutted that the first team had their season opener cancelled, but it meant we could all get behind the Lionesses in the final and it was great to see the support we had at Bedfont Sports Club.
Amy Crook felt the watch party was a great way to support the Lionesses
“It was disappointing that they couldn’t quite get over the line but when you look at the bigger picture, they have inspired so many female footballers. The growth in the women’s game has rocketed since England won the Euro’s and we have felt that here, especially in the summer at our trial days.”
Brentford held women’s teams trials in June as both the first team and B team looked to add new additions to their squads ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Between the two sides, the club has welcomed 14 new arrivals so far with over 100 players attending the trials which were held over four dates.
Crook continued: “Without a doubt, this England team has changed women’s football in this country, I was blown away by the number of players we had come down to our trials and the quality on show was exceptional.
“I truly believe that the Lionesses recent success has inspired more females to play football, I’ve certainly felt this as general manager of Brentford Women and have seen a big change in recent years. It’s not just on the pitch but off it also, the amount of exposure the women’s game is getting now is incredible and it’s only going to get better.
“We didn’t win the final this time but it’s important to give young females a pathway to become the next Lauren James or Mary Earps, and that’s what we are trying to do here.
“My advice to any young girl thinking about getting into football would be to stick at it and be patient. This England team has given not just our players people to look up to, but all inspiring women’s footballers in the country as well.”
Crook went on to explain how she feels that the Lionesses are more than just a football team and says that the women’s first team have all the inspiration that they need heading into the new campaign.
“I think what this England team has achieved is more than just being successful on the pitch,” said Crook. “Not only for women’s football but for women’s sport in general they have shown that there are plenty of female role models out there and when people grow up, they can do anything they dream of.
“Playing football as a female used to be something that not typically a girl would do but this England team has changed that in this country. Seeing the amount of passion that our players have for football tells me everything I need to know and I’m confident they will achieve their goals in the new season."