The Trust is delighted to announce a new partnership with our colleagues from the Birmingham City Women’s Supporters Group, whose chair, Barry Ross, we met at the recent FSA conference/AGM in Manchester. It may have been a happy coincidence, or perhaps just good luck, but what were the odds that a coffee queue with over three hundred delegates would result in representatives from two groups—who had never met before—sharing a milk jug? It turned out we had interests that were not only timely but also relevant to both groups for the upcoming season and beyond.
With the Daletrust agenda for the upcoming season and beyond focusing on including and nurturing the women’s game, particularly from the “Her Game Too” perspective and at the grassroots level, it was inspiring to learn that fans from a major club like Birmingham City had recently come together (in 2020, during the Pandemic Era) to create a supportive community not only to help each other through tough times but also to foster the growth of the Birmingham City Ladies team.
(Photo. Reprinted with permission of BCWSG)
And so, this small group of “Bluenoses” formed Birmingham City Women’s Supporters Group. Recognised by their club as a valid supporter organisation, this small but growing band of supporters (Already at 200 plus) has already developed into something rather special.
Key to their growth was joining the FSA as associate members, adopting protocols and constitutional practices promoted by the FSA. As supporters group chair Barry Ross said, “Joining the FSA was Important as it gave us a strong foundation to build the group using sound and proven practices. It also gave us the chance to meet and look to the future together!”
The Dale Supporters Trust and Birmingham City Women’s Supporters Group are united by their shared passion for promoting the women’s game at every level. While Dale’s senior team may currently be in leagues below “The Bluenoses,” our love for football is the common thread that connects us all. We wholeheartedly embrace the belief that “Football Without Fans Is Nothing!
Together, we hope to embark on an exciting long-term venture with both groups, providing mutual support for all aspects of the women’s game where each has an influence, sharing ideas and engaging as many people as possible in the women’s (and men’s) football.
Moving Forward. A meeting between the two groups is scheduled soon (Subject to holidays and work commitments) to explore ways forward and for personnel from both groups to meet officially, set targets, and establish goals.
The Dale Trust is committed to the goal of increasing football attendances at Rochdale. Through engagement and cooperation within the community, we hope that curiosity translates into a rise in football attendance, and no one has ever said that the attendance build should not include the women’s game, have they?
Links
Birmingham City Women’s Football Support Group HERE
Twitter (Now X) @BluesWomenSG
BCWFSG Facebook HERE
BCWFSG Her Game Two Story HERE
Header Photograph with permission of BCWSG.
