The BBC and Women's Football

[jawillwill]

Are the BBC on a drive to push Women's football? If so, why?

 

I don't have anything against it, and have nothing against internationals being live on TV/ wouldn't be adverse to a weekly highlights programme, but the general public quite clearly care more about men's football at the moment. I don't get the BBC's determination to push the women's game so much - is advertising the game really their prerogative?

 

On the main BBC News just now, quotes included:

"a packed Wembley Stadium"

"a sell out crowd"

"an historic occasion"

 

Despite only 55000 tickets sold and only 45000 bothering to actually turn up (bad weather the apparent reason).

 

Other channels don't seem to push the game so much. Thoughts?

[stug76]

Its a bit of a joke really. Its just a poor standard of football, I couldn't see any of those on display being able to compete at conference level. Its just patronising.

[SW5 SAINT]

If 10000 didn't even bother to turn up, I wonder how much these tickets actually cost?

[Lighthouse]

The standard of football is just bad. I only saw the highlights of that game but it seemed to be played at the same pace as that Saints Web match we played about 5 years ago, without too much extra talent.

 

Still this is the BBC so anything to do with 'equality' and they're all over it.

[Verbal]

Is this thread an excerpt from The Fast Show?

[jawillwill]

Its a bit of a joke really. Its just a poor standard of football, I couldn't see any of those on display being able to compete at conference level. Its just patronising.

 

The standard of football is just bad. I only saw the highlights of that game but it seemed to be played at the same pace as that Saints Web match we played about 5 years ago, without too much extra talent.

 

Still this is the BBC so anything to do with 'equality' and they're all over it.

The standard of football isn't something I have a problem with and was not really the point of the thread.

[stug76]

How else are you judging its value to the BBC other than its quality?

[Bearsy]

On the contrary, I've been writing to the beeb for years asking them to broadcast German porn. Watching those manly Germans butt-f*ck 11 English ladies live on national television, in glorious HD, was delicious! Or at least, it would have been, had I watched it. Which I didn't

[Saint in Paradise]

Bearsy I thought that you had died ?

 

Anyway if women want to play football I say let them and show them on TV. It's a bit

better than lots of cooking shows and shows about renovating and re-selling houses.Oh

yes and a lot better than big brother and any show with that Cowell lot.

[Bearsy]

You cain't keep a good bear down! I was gonna say the same as you anyway, this was prob more worthwhile broadcast than Watch Me Redecorate My Kitchen, or whatever the f*ck else they broadcast nowadays.

[Ohio Saint]

Women's footy is the way to go damn it!!! Women can play soccer just as well as the men can!!

 

Well, that's the perspective from America, anyway.

 

Oh god, there are times when I just hate being here. All of those times are footy related.

[Lord Duckhunter]

It's shocking , terrible standard, particularly the keepers. I'd see a better game watching the dog and duck on a Sunday morning. It's like the emperors new clothes , everyone in the media is so polite and encouraging over it , but deep down they know it's terrible. It wouldn't be so bad if they were pretty fit and wore beach volleyball type get up , but most of them are dog rough . I'm not an old dinosaur that doesn't want women involved in football , the women Lino is great and Mrs Duck would make a good ref as she has eyes in the back of her head and seems to know exactly what I'm up to. But , I don't want my licence fee going on this rubbish .

 

I'm afraid to say it, but women commentators are rubbish as well. That Oakley women has a real nagging voice and I've stopped listening to "The Game" podcast as that annoying Rudd bird seems to be on every week. Fat bald middle aged men , like myself , should confine themselves to watching the game and so should the fairer sex. It's political correctness and quotas , nothing to do with ability. They wouldn't televise a veterans walking game, so why televise this nonsense.

[Bearsy]

It's like the emperors new clothes

 

good kit suggestion!

 

The rest of that is off point tho i reckon, it's only bad compared to bro football, but I don't see why they can't end up producing quality technique players even if they'll always be outmatched athletically by bros. I mean like women's tennis. I would enjoy women's tennis even if they didn't wear skirts. They do good tennis!

 

Edit: I wonder if they should consider smaller pitch + smaller goals?

Edited 23 November, 2014 by Bearsy

[Lord Duckhunter]

But that's the point Bear , they don't do good football . You can either watch women's sport for a look at some fine fillies or watch a decent sporting event . All we get at the moment is a load of halfmen playing shiete sport. We get the worst of both worlds

[Bearsy]

I'm saying if they keep rewarding them with fame + fortune i.e. by putting them on tv, then more birds will prob start playing + some of them will be more good + more better looking. It's the blobfish to catch a tuna, or whatever the expression is.

[Lord Duckhunter]

I'm saying if they keep rewarding them with fame + fortune i.e. by putting them on tv, then more birds will prob start playing + some of them will be more good + more better looking. It's the blobfish to catch a tuna, or whatever the expression is.

 

Maybe, but that'll take a long time.

Edited 24 November, 2014 by Lord Duckhunter

[Saintandy666]

The BBC are making a push of it. I think that is fine - does it really upset you that it is given a position on the webpage of prominence? Why not... obviously, we all know the relative standard of Women's football isn't as good as the men's at present, but there's also a big gulf in attention and money. Just look at tennis to see what can happen when women's sport is put on an equal footing.

[Saintandy666]

But that's the point Bear , they don't do good football . You can either watch women's sport for a look at some fine fillies or watch a decent sporting event . All we get at the moment is a load of halfmen playing shiete sport. We get the worst of both worlds

 

You really do make some incredibly sexist points.

[Lord Duckhunter]

The BBC are making a push of it. I think that is fine - does it really upset you that it is given a position on the webpage of prominence? Why not... obviously, we all know the relative standard of Women's football isn't as good as the men's at present, but there's also a big gulf in attention and money. Just look at tennis to see what can happen when women's sport is put on an equal footing.

 

That's nonsense . Women's tennis gets the prominence it deserves because it is a decent sport that is credible . A weekend tennis player would not be able to live with the modern top women players , it is elite sport. Running is the same . Jessica Ennis would be ahead of me every time ( not a bad thing as I'd cop a look at her nice arse) and again it is elite sport. Womens football is not, it is shocking . I dread to think how low down the leagues you'll have to go to reach the equilvent level , maybe down to the local park. I honestly reckon I've seen better Sunday league keepers than those lot (and some are fitter) . The BBC wouldn't show The Red Lion v The Dog and Duck , would they ? It is not elite sport and shouldn't be marketed as such.

 

The other thing that annoys me is the attitude of the pro chick football lobby . Most women would rather watch men's football , yet you're considered a dinosaur if you say it's rubbish . The funny thing about the feminists who preach about it is that they are getting exposure on the back of the men's game. My lad went to a presentation evening for a local non league side as he played for the under 14's. I went along and bumped into a guy who I used to play with years ago. It was a big do , as thy were a decent local outfit with teams from under 9's up to adults. I asked him "what age group is your lad in " and his mrs went off on one . Turns out his daughter played for the girls team ( they had one girls team) , his mrs was like a crazy women . " girls play football, you're a sexist for assuming it was a boy" , **** sake . It probably didn't help when I said " calm down dear" , and to be fair the bloke was clearly embarrassed by her over reaction, but that was the attitude . I had a load of " soccer mums" screwing me up like I was some sort of Sid James character . Bloody hell nobody died , I didn't attack anyone or make racist remarks , I just asked an old team mate what age group his " lad" was in. That's what they're like these soccer wimmin , seeing sexism and prejudice at every turn . Blooming great chips on the shoulders because deep down they know their football is rubbish, but don't want a rational debate about it.

[whelk]

Everyone ignoring that this was a sell out. Good comparison about Dog and Duck mate cos that'd fill Wembley as well yeah?

I'm guessing this Duckhunter chap is a spoof though?

 

55000 tickets sold was limited due to transport restrictions.

[Batman]

I wonder how many times they would get 55k if all their games were at Wembley

 

Women's football is terrible.

Edited 24 November, 2014 by Batman

[KingdomCome]

I agree. Terrible quality. We should keep that stuff off the telly so that young girls continue to consider football the man's game it is. They just don't have what's needed to play football no matter how much encouragement they get. Their brains are smaller than men's brains don't you know.

 

On a side note, anyone catch that "it was acceptable in the 70's" on the telly the other night? We need to be bringing back more of those programmes. Cracking stuff from back when you could call a spade a spade and not get done for sexual pc brigade.

[Lord Duckhunter]

I agree. Terrible quality. We should keep that stuff off the telly so that young girls continue to consider football the man's game it is. They just don't have what's needed to play football no matter how much encouragement they get. Their brains are smaller than men's brains don't you know.

 

On a side note, anyone catch that "it was acceptable in the 70's" on the telly the other night? We need to be bringing back more of those programmes. Cracking stuff from back when you could call a spade a spade and not get done for sexual pc brigade.

 

Nobody is saying they can't play it, just that they are rubbish at it and it is political correctness rather than demand that gets it on the beeb.They should be encouraged to play as its good for their health and well being, but that doesn't justify the nonsense about the " England Team" .

 

Chick cricket is the same , completely over exposed for a minority pastime. They wouldn't cover a load of hairy arsed builders doing Billy Elliot's on BBC 4 . The only reason its on is so metro sexual males can make out their enlightened and in touch with their feminine side. I bet hardly anybody watched it apart from under the thumb hubbys, pervs, screaming girls/women and teen boys. I used to hate the school boy internationals as the crowd got on my wick, I bet this was 10 times worse.

[KingdomCome]

Nobody is saying they can't play it, just that they are rubbish at it and it is political correctness rather than demand that gets it on the beeb.They should be encouraged to play as its good for their health and well being, but that doesn't justify the nonsense about the " England Team" .

 

Chick cricket is the same , completely over exposed for a minority pastime. They wouldn't cover a load of hairy arsed builders doing Billy Elliot's on BBC 4 . The only reason its on is so metro sexual males can make out their enlightened and in touch with their feminine side. I bet hardly anybody watched it apart from under the thumb hubbys, pervs, screaming girls/women and teen boys. I used to hate the school boy internationals as the crowd got on my wick, I bet this was 10 times worse.

 

I agree mate, it's disgraceful the way these birds are being portrayed as capable.

 

Can't move for hearing about women's football. Just take a quick look on the BBC football page, you'd barely think that men also play the sport.

 

We must continue to show exactly the same sports and shows that are currently on the beeb forever, that way we know there is an audience for it. No point in trying anything new, nobody will watch it.

[Halo Stickman]

When my youngest nipper played junior football for his local league team one of his team-mates was a girl; but when she got to a certain age – IIRC about 9 or 10 – the league decreed that she was no longer allowed to play for the team. I believe the main reason for this was due to a lack of separate changing facilities. Entirely understandable, I suppose, but still a shame – not least because she was one of the team’s best players!

[Hatch]

is womens football the only live sport the BBC have left ?

[Halo Stickman]

Why does the beeb need women's football when it's got this?

 

Edited 24 November, 2014 by Halo Stickman

[KingdomCome]

Why does the beeb need woman's football when it's got this?

 

 

Exactly, good decent viewing for your average Joe. Not like this women's football that's only suitable for metro sexual males, under the thumb hubbys, pervs, screaming girls/women and teen boys.

[Lighthouse]

Everyone ignoring that this was a sell out. Good comparison about Dog and Duck mate cos that'd fill Wembley as well yeah?

I'm guessing this Duckhunter chap is a spoof though?

 

55000 tickets sold was limited due to transport restrictions.

 

If tickets were limited to 55,000 how come 10,000 of them didn't turn up? Surely if they were that hard to come by people would be selling them on the black market for a nice big mark up. On the subject of which, does anyone know the prices for this? If you're after equality you need to be asking at least £50 a ticket for a game at Wembley.

[Special K]

Its a bit of a joke really. Its just a poor standard of football, I couldn't see any of those on display being able to compete at conference level. Its just patronising.

 

Beautiful.

 

I reckon all the fella's here who don't like women's football should raise a team and play against the England Women's team in a one off match. That would be fun to watch. I'm not sure, but i think i know which team would have the bigger balls.

[stug76]

Beautiful.

 

I reckon all the fella's here who don't like women's football should raise a team and play against the England Women's team in a one off match. That would be fun to watch. I'm not sure, but i think i know which team would have the bigger balls.

I'm not sure I see your point.

 

The match was on TV solely because it was women's football. It's not elite sport. That's why it's patronising. It's not about equality. If it's equality that's wanted, then disregard gender in sport and just have tennis or football not mens and women's tennis or football like they do in motor racing.

[The9]

I've already posted my thoughts on women's football enough times that I probably only need to say "I pity those 45,000 people for not having something more worthwhile to do with their lives". And I spent half of Sunday watching a Hunger Games film and going to the in-laws'...

[The9]

Women's footy is the way to go damn it!!! Women can play soccer just as well as the men can!!

 

Well, that's the perspective from America, anyway.

 

Oh god, there are times when I just hate being here. All of those times are footy related.

 

I was fine with seeing the Cornell University Women's Soccer Team training, they at least come across as professional. I didn't see any of them actuallty kick a ball though, never mind try to catch one.

 

To be clear, there are some good women's footballers, but not many, and the overall product at it's very best is equivalent to maybe an U14s towns representative match. You know they're meant to be good but they're nowhere near the level they should be to get on tv. Which is absolutely the case with almost all schoolboy representative football.

 

Though Fash FC on Bravo back in 2002 managed to make a series out of a bunch of crappy parks players by turning it into a reality thing to justify showing awful football in front of tiny crowds, so clearly that's what they should be doing here. Though I'm not sure rewarding (wo)Man of the Match with a night out with Lucy Pinder would necessarily go down so well, but you never know. It also had Caroline Flack on it, so there's plenty of crossover for the Beeb already.

[warsash saint]

My nipper played in an under 12 game on Saturday morning - the oppsoition had a girl in their team. My nippers team won 8 nil .... make of that what you will

[so22saint]

Is this thread an excerpt from The Fast Show?

 

Yes Ron, it's a very powerful image

[buctootim]

we all know the relative standard of Women's football isn't as good as the men's at present, but there's also a big gulf in attention and money. Just look at tennis to see what can happen when women's sport is put on an equal footing.

 

Equal funding doesn't necessarily equate to equal popularity. I'd just as happily watch the womens Wimbledon final as the mens, because as contests they are equally good. Same applies to athletics, swimming and any other sport where its head to head competition. Most people apparently disagree though. Wimbledon 2014 got 3.1m viewers for the womens final and 10m for the mens - ie three times as many.

 

Lord D does has a point about womens football on tv. I watched the England - Germany game and it was embarrasingly bad - tactically, fitness, technical ability- terrible. There are good reasons for the FA to promote grassroots womens football but as a spectacle, I wouldnt watch again.

Edited 24 November, 2014 by buctootim

[Manuel]

I'm happy to see women's football on the telly because a) I like watching football of any standard, women/kids/whatever so if it's on I'll probably watch it, especially if it takes the place of a soap opera or auction show. b) because it promotes football and sport in general to younger girls. Girls of school age are much more likely to take an interest in sports and start playing if they see women playing it competitively, especially on the telly, and that's good.

[Special K]

I'm not sure I see your point.

 

The match was on TV solely because it was women's football. It's not elite sport. That's why it's patronising. It's not about equality. If it's equality that's wanted, then disregard gender in sport and just have tennis or football not mens and women's tennis or football like they do in motor racing.

 

I don't agree with your definition of equality. It's not about gender equality within a particular sport, but equality of opportunity. Opportunity to participate and enjoy a sport, irrespective of comparison and mealy-mouthed cynicism. So what if the quality of Women's football isn't the same as the male game? That makes it no less valid as a sport or as a spectacle and no less worthy of putting on TV.

[Upwind]

I can't abide women's football like the majority of football fans. The trouble is that they don't 'normally' get more that a few hundred spectators (at most) for Premier League games - and of those in attendance I wouldn't mind betting that up to half of those are friends and family of the players. The problem is that not even women support women's football - and yet men get criticised for not enthusing about it........

 

It's extremely slow and at times an excruciating watch and the skills on show are sparse and interspersed with laughable passages of 'play' and comic keepers.

 

I can only imagine that the prices were extremely low and there was a concession for the next 'male' England game or something to encourage attendance.

[Lighthouse]

I don't agree with your definition of equality. It's not about gender equality within a particular sport, but equality of opportunity. Opportunity to participate and enjoy a sport, irrespective of comparison and mealy-mouthed cynicism. So what if the quality of Women's football isn't the same as the male game? That makes it no less valid as a sport or as a spectacle and no less worthy of putting on TV.

 

That's where you're wrong IMO, it is less worthy of being on TV. I think the England women's team would probably be beaten by a half decent Sunday League men's team. You wouldn't sit watching a men's Sunday League match on TV, so why would you watch a women's game of similar quality.

 

There is no other reason to watch it other than the fact that it is women playing. To me that's positive discrimination in favour of women, which I disagree with.

[whelk]

If tickets were limited to 55,000 how come 10,000 of them didn't turn up? Surely if they were that hard to come by people would be selling them on the black market for a nice big mark up. On the subject of which, does anyone know the prices for this? If you're after equality you need to be asking at least £50 a ticket for a game at Wembley.

 

Loads were given away. 55000 and none were still available is sold out. Weather and transport was crap is probably your answer.

 

Who is after equality? Just a few dinosaurs who are generally threatened by anything that may emasculate them. Latently gay no doubt

[hutch]

Latently gay no doubt

There could possibly be another reason why a substantial number of people don't agree with your opinion

[Manuel]

Maybe the standard is well behind where it could be for women? I don't see much reason (mentally/physically) why football played by women couldn't be far ahead of where it is today. Compare it to the standard of say tennis or athletics where there isn't such a gap. Perhaps with a bit of promotion and publicity, you might start to see more enthusiasm for the sport by kids within schools/sports centres, and progress could follow.

[bridge too far]

Maybe the standard is well behind where it could be for women? I don't see much reason (mentally/physically) why football played by women couldn't be far ahead of where it is today. Compare it to the standard of say tennis or athletics where there isn't such a gap. Perhaps with a bit of promotion and publicity, you might start to see more enthusiasm for the sport by kids within schools/sports centres, and progress could follow.

 

I think part of the problem is that Women's football wasn't recognised from 1921 until 1971 so there has been a lot of catching up to do.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_association_football

[Lighthouse]

Loads were given away. 55000 and none were still available is sold out. Weather and transport was crap is probably your answer.

 

Who is after equality? Just a few dinosaurs who are generally threatened by anything that may emasculate them. Latently gay no doubt

 

Well it's not a sell out is it, for two reasons.

 

1) Giving away free tickets to 10,000 people who have little or no intention of going isn't 'selling'.

2) You can't claim you've sold out just because there were only 55,000 tickets available.

 

Using the same logic, I could print 2 tickets to see me picking my nose at Wembley, give them to two random blokes in a pub and claim I've sold out Wembley because all available tickets have been taken.

 

Why the need to question my sexuality? What is it about not wanting Sunday League standard football on TV which makes you think I'm gay? Why would that even be an issue for you if I am?

[whelk]

Well it's not a sell out is it, for two reasons.

 

1) Giving away free tickets to 10,000 people who have little or no intention of going isn't 'selling'.

2) You can't claim you've sold out just because there were only 55,000 tickets available.

 

Using the same logic, I could print 2 tickets to see me picking my nose at Wembley, give them to two random blokes in a pub and claim I've sold out Wembley because all available tickets have been taken.

 

Why the need to question my sexuality? What is it about not wanting Sunday League standard football on TV which makes you think I'm gay? Why would that even be an issue for you if I am?

 

The fact that you can't fathom out what sold out means is a worry. Good nose picking analogy though.

 

I am no champion of women's game but fact that so many thick people can't comprehend that some people went to see it.

Also glad to know that you knew the reason for the 10000 missing.

 

You have inferred I was talking about you as well with your sexuality and that it was an issue for me. Have you seen American Beauty?

[whelk]

There could possibly be another reason why a substantial number of people don't agree with your opinion

 

What is my opinion?

[pap]

What is my opinion?

Weĺl done whelk. You've arrived

[SW5 SAINT]

Everyone ignoring that this was a sell out. Good comparison about Dog and Duck mate cos that'd fill Wembley as well yeah?

I'm guessing this Duckhunter chap is a spoof though?

 

55000 tickets sold was limited due to transport restrictions.

 

Anyone know the pricing of these tickets, a tenner, a fiver?

[Lord Duckhunter]

Tickets were £15 and £1 for kids.However, Fa charter clubs could have 10 free and then it was £7.50 per ticket for them. So I doubt they took **** all at the box office.

 

"The Dog and Duck v Hunde und ente" would sell out what is basically a visit to the new Wembley with a game thrown in. I would be interested in how many regular football supporters went. I suspect it was mainly kids and wimmin lib types, with a few metro sexual types thrown in. Did anyone on this forum go, because there's normally a few who do go to Wembley England games normally.