The growing importance of Brighton’s Women and Under 23 sides
Aside from the chance to see several of the Albion’s first team squad make appearances for their respective national sides – and what a header from big Shane – this week’s international break has given Brighton fans a rare opportunity to watch both the women’s team and the under 23s play at the Amex. It is a chance I have grabbed enthusiastically.
Sunday’s WSL opener against West Ham United provided the kind of football Hope Powell’s leadership, last season’s impressive midtable finish and the highlight reel led me to expect.
Entertaining play, some quality passing and a superb goal from the Albion’s now-permanent striker Lee Geum-Min signed after a successful loan spell from Manchester City made for an enjoyable if very hot afternoon in the Lower East Stand.
West Ham were solid opponents but once their key player Hawa Cissoko was sent off for handling on the line – leading to Inessa Kaagman’s clinical penalty – it was unlikely they would come away with the points.
The FA’s three year, £8 million a season TV deal with Sky and the BBC for WSL broadcast rights in March showed the continued progress of the women’s game financially.
Alongside that, the Albion’s investment in new multi-million pound facilities for Hope Powell’s side at Lancing, Alex Scott taking the helm at Football Focus, and the widely-praised contribution of Chelsea manager Emma Hayes to this summer’s Euros coverage, all show the growing respect and acknowledgement for those involved in the women’s game.
We are a long, long way from parity yet, but it should happen eventually. It would be good to have more women’s games at the Amex as well as some under 23s, but as the club will point out, there are several practical and financial obstacles to doing so.
Like the WSL games held at Crawley, Premier League 2 games featuring the under 23’s are usually held away from the Amex. There venue is the American Express Elite Performance Centre in Lancing and currently, these matches take place behind closed doors.
Despite the departure of a number of players out on loan, there remains real talent in Andrew Croft’s squad – something clearly in evidence from their early second place in the PL2 table behind Manchester City.
One of the factors in Graham Potter’s appointment was his strong record in developing young talent at Ostersunds and Swansea, something that fits with the Albion’s longer-term strategy.
Haydon Roberts and Taylor Richards have made the step up to the first team squad this season. Others like Reda Khadra and Leo Ostigard are getting valuable experience on loan in the Championship.
We will no doubt see more of players like Odeluga Offiah, Antef Tsongui, Ayo Tanimowo and Marc Leonard in the Swansea City League Cup game and subsequent ties should the Albion progress.
To keep better up to date with these young players’ progress, it is worth watching the under 23 games streamed for free on MyAlbionTV.
Friday’s game – with free admission for season ticket holders and the rare luxury of parking at the Amex – offers an opportunity to catch them in the flesh.
The investment and support of Tony Bloom, Paul Barber, Michelle Walder and the club management for the full range of teams under the Albion badge – not forgetting the disability sides and the valued work of Albion In The Community – show that it is no longer “one club, one side” but “one club, many teams” all contributing to the success of Brighton and Hove Albion.
“Together” is a motto we should all remember, and part of the ethos of the club is a spirit of equality, respect and a vision for the future. Whoever is turning out in the stripes and the Seagulls badge deserves our support.
