In the lead up to this year’s International Women’s Day, on Sunday 8 March, Brentford Football Club gathered together some of the women that work at the Club and at Brentford FC Community Sports Trust to showcase their contribution and encourage women and girls to consider working in the football industry.

Brentford FC is one of only a few football clubs that are registered as an Inclusive Employer and actively seeks to encourage more women to apply for roles at the Club as it continues to grow its workforce. As things stand, the percentage of women working at the Club (taking out the First and B teams) stands at 27 per cent. This may be higher than most other clubs but can be increased further.

A number of key roles at the Club are currently held by women including Club Secretary, Head of Football Operations, Finance Director, Box Office Manager, Matchday Presentation and Events Manager and Fan and Community Relations Director.

Back row: Kathryn Sobczak - Young Carers Co-ordinator; Amy Crook - Office Manager & Match Day Coordinator; Lucy Spaans – Box Office Manager; May Wynn – Finance Analyst; Natalie Burkitt – Finance Director; Leah Cheatley – Team Coordinator; Viki Nowak – HR Administrator; Philomina Valonda – Accounts Assistant.

Middle Row: Lena Chlopek – Partnerships Account Executive; Libby Turner – Partnerships Sales Executive; Shinead Davis – Senior Commercial Assistant; Karen Brown – Box Office Executive; Sally Stephens – Fan & Community Relations Director; Ashley Cheatley – Box Office Executive; Danielle Ransom – Assistant Box Office Manager; Marion Perkins – Accounts Assistant.

Front Row: Madeline Tarrant – Fan Relations Manager; Sam Meakin – HR Business Partner; Jo Malone – Senior Steward; Elaine Iles – Receptionist; Neula Hanley – PA to CEO; Joanne Surgeoner – Commercial Administrator; Annabelle Fitzgerald – Sales Executive; Barbara Otoo – Finance Analyst.

Other women at the Club and Community Sports Trust who couldn’t make the photo: Ghausia Amin - Deputy GPLZ Manager & Senior Safeguarding Officer; Bernadette Burton – Receptionist; Jackie Carter - Catering Manager; Monique Choudhuri - Non-Executive Director;  Maddie Critchley - Administration & Sales Executive; Eileen De Souza – Trustee; Tamara Dunn - Graphic Designer; Lorna Falconer -  Head of Football Operations; Manisha Fourie - Health Programmes and B Team Coaching and Performance Assistant;  Sue Green – Steward;  Claire Hiskett -  Assistant Secretary; Amber Lloyd - Community Football Development Co-ordinator (Women and Girls); Sian Marshman - Accounts and Views Assistant; Helen McCartan - Communications Manager;  Sophie McGill – Venue Optimisation Executive; Jacky Montague – Business Support Manager; Jess Morris - Matchday Presentation & Events Manager;  Ellie Morley - Gymnastics Coach; Marcella Phelan – Trustee;  Anita Ralli - Trustee, Lisa Skelhorn - Club Secretary; Lisa Smith - Administrator & Sales Executive; Trish Taylor- Kit Manager (B Team); Jo Wheeler - Laundry Operator