12/3/22 - TVOS Feature VS Barrow

Hi everybody! We are so excited for the dedicated ‘Her Game Too’ fixture against Barrow. Celebrating such an amazing campaign. We have decided to use our remaining features of the season to finding out about our opposition fans and their experiences as football fans. We hope you enjoy!!

Charlotte and Isabelle

Hi my names Millie Ashworth and I’m 13. I have had a season ticket at Barrow since I was 9. I really enjoy sports especially football. I was born in Barrow but my dad is originally from Rochdale and used to stand in the Sandy Lane end when he was younger. I also stood in the Sandy Lane end and watched Rochdale v Spurs. I love being a young female football fan and I love going to matches. I have been to a few barrow away games such as Torquay and Carlisle. I went on the bluebirds trust bus to Carlisle and personally I have never been treated differently. I think our season is going okay, I hope that we can stay in league 2 and eventually build more confidence.

Prediction - Rochdale 1 and Barrow 2

Star Players - John Rooney and Remeao Hutton.

Advice to other female fans - There isn’t anything to be scared of. There’s always Stewards and people to talk to.

My name is Adelle and I’m a Barrow AFC supporter. My family have always supported Barrow and my dad started taking my brother at a very young age. I grew a passion for football around 1995 after going to a match and watching my brother play every Saturday morning. My first game was in the Northern League Premier division and I remember being amongst the noise, passion and was instantly hooked. I now go to games with my son and friends. I love being a football fan in this era and lots has changed. I’m 37 and when I was growing up there was no girls playing football or female teams, so it’s nice to see the change. Some of my friends found it strange I was interested in football and I was portrayed a tom boy. Football has come along way since then regarding equality and its great to see more women being involved. There’s more female pundits than ever before and it’s refreshing to see. But there was a time I was treated different, on an online forum. I’m a member of a league two discussion group and one particular man made awful comments to me for being female and having an opinion he didn’t agree with then lashed out at me. It was an isolated incident where many came to my defence. Sometimes if I join in a male dominated conversation regarding football some are shocked of my knowledge and passion, so there still is a taboo relating to women liking and understanding football as much as men. Barrow is keen to ensure that everyone feels comfortable attending games. If anything did happen I would feel comfortable contacting the club to raise any issues of concern. Going to an away match as a female fan can sometimes feel daunting especially if there is a hostile environment but it’s great to see so many women following their teams around the country. My last away match was at Carlisle, it was great to see so many other female supporters there. I love the #hergametoo campaign. Barrow partnered with the campaign in February and I was delighted. I find it empowering to have the support as a woman. Barrow released a statement to highlight that sexual abuse or harassment will not be tolerated at the club and that they will be working closely with the #hergametoo campaign.

Advice to other female fans - Just go for it. Be passionate and be you. After lockdown and only being able to watch matches on ifollow you realise the importance of fans at games. Football is for all.