The sense of expectation for the new football season in 2023 extends to not only the men’s professional game but also the women’s. Following the success of the Lionesses at Euro 2022 when Sarina Wiegman’s team beat Germany in the final, women’s football in England is now undoubtedly one of the nation’s favourite pastimes and importantly, also easily accessible.
An exciting new dawn is here
Gone are the days when women’s professional football was a sideshow to the men’s game with little exposure dedicated to the spectacle. Now, fans can watch a fixture on TV as regularly as they can a men’s game. What’s more, take a look at the latest bets for football tonight or for the ongoing global tournaments and you’ll see just as many women’s games given prices in the betting markets. For example, you’ll quickly see that England are the favourites to win the Women’s World Cup at odds of 11/4.
Should this happen then it could mean that interest in the women’s game spikes yet again.
Just 🔟 minutes of the 9️⃣0️⃣ remain ⏱
How we feeling, #Lionesses fans? 😬 pic.twitter.com/COpDQmulb4
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) August 7, 2023
With a history of international dominance and a team England can be proud of, it’s no wonder why there is a bubbling sense of anticipation for the new women’s season. It has been a meteoric and of course deserved rise in recent years for the women’s game.
Redditch United step forward to help grow the game
Getting the sport to this stage has been a collective effort though with professional men’s clubs trying to level up the playing fields by allowing access to their training facilities and stadiums. Redditch United are the latest club to do their bit in promoting the women’s game by agreeing a deal with West Bromwich Albion Women who will now use the club’s Valley Stadium for most of their home fixtures.
So, what can West Brom Women expect when they begin life at Redditch’s Valley Stadium?
The Valley Stadium
Like most grounds down the football pyramid, the Valley Stadium is an intimate setting. With one main towering terrace, the cutting-edge 3G pitch is then flanked by seating and standing options, with sponsorship hoarding behind one of the goals. The capacity of the ground is 5,000 with just 250 seats allocated to sitting spectators; this is the unique selling point of the ground. Indeed, with most of the ground catering to standings fans, the Valley Stadium is renowned for the noise it creates as fans are able to rise to their feet and roar their team on.
We're underway in the lovely sunshine! pic.twitter.com/iI3nzYELUr
— Redditch United (@RedditchUtd) July 29, 2023
With West Brom Women announcing that tickets will be no more than £5 throughout the season, there is an excellent chance that the Baggies will enjoy passionate home support over the duration of their 2023/2024 campaign.
The club’s first fixture will be at the Valley Stadium against Stoke City on August 20th when Albion begin their National League Northern Premier campaign.
Home is where the heart is
While West Brom Women will be hoping to make the Hawthorns their permanent home ground in the future, the opportunity to play their football at Redditch United’s iconic Valley Stadium will provide many wonderful memories in the interim.
