On the opening night of the Women’s Super League (WSL) season, a new era will begin with the end of a custom that for so long was seen as one of the many attractions of the women’s game.
Through its formative years and into the professional era, it was seen as a selling point of the WSL that matchgoing supporters felt as if they had a “closer” relationship with the players than in the men’s game, which seemed to be heading in the other directions as the rise of transfer fees and salaries further added to the sense of detachment between the pitch and the stands.
Women’s football felt more open: even the biggest names in the league, like the England internationals, seemed more authentic, as evidenced by the regular sight of playing giving time back to their supporters at the end of matches, acknowledging their presence by stopping to take pictures by the side of the pitch and signing autographs.
It is a practice that will continue at some of this weekend’s games – but not at Chelsea. The champions announced in a notice to supporters last month it was no longer “safe or sustainable” for players to sign autographs or take selfies with fans “in an uncontrolled way” after matches at Kingsmeadow. Instead, the club said that they would hold “organised opportunities” away from match day.
Denne historien er fra September 20, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 20, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Fierce rivalry in best British flyweight fight for decades
This time last year, Sunny Edwards was on his way to the USA for a unification world title fight, and Galal Yafai was a five-fight novice.
Wiegman faces twin issues in tactical battle with Hayes
Sarina Wiegman had already highlighted where England need to improve long before Emma Hayes and the United States landed in London ahead of today's marquee clash at Wembley.
Crisis at City has shades of Mourinho's Bridge too far
For all the comments on Pep Guardiola's scratches, some senior figures in football were a bit shocked by the image.
Our favourite brands are at risk from changing demand
Constantly evolving consumer habits are threatening even the biggest names - factor in a competitive marketplace and rising overheads, and they're goners, says Chris Blackhurst
Insurgents fighting Assad's Syrian regime enter Aleppo
Surprise offensive is first time city is attacked since 2016
Macron praises those who helped rebuild Notre-Dame
President visits cathedral as it prepares to reopen next week
Three main Irish parties set for election photo finish
Sinn Fein, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are virtually neck-and-neck in terms of first preference votes in the Irish general election, according to an exit poll last night.
Ukraine could cede land for peace deal, says Zelensky
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested he would temporarily cede Ukrainian territory to Russia in exchange for joining Nato.
Russia suffers record 2,000 losses in one day, says Kyiv
Claims of unprecedented military casualties for Moscow come as Putin’s forces make advances in eastern Ukraine
Police name mother killed in hit-and-run e-bike crash
A young mother who was killed after she was knocked off an ebike in a hit-and-run crash has been named.
