I’m getting close to producing the fanzine and blogs for almost 20 years, a small hobby that somehow became a lasting passion project. Over those years, I’ve endured more than my fair share of abuse, vitriol, persistent lies from ill-informed keyboard warriors, and at times, downright pernicious harassment. Some of it came from absolute idiots, to be blunt.
Of course, along the way, I’ve also received perfectly valid criticism—and that’s part of the deal. Different opinions are healthy. They should be discussed and debated freely. Those who truly know me understand that none of the abuse or nonsense has ever remotely bothered me. It’s just part and parcel of having open debate in the modern age.
Despite some outrageous attacks over the years, I’ve never properly responded in kind. I’ve always believed it’s better to rise above it. But last week, something really crossed the line, something so staggeringly ignorant that, for once, I feel compelled to respond.
In my latest blog, I wrote about the divisions at the club. As always, I didn’t hide my feelings or opinions. I made it crystal clear that in the recent elections, I supported a group trying to rebuild Lewes FC as a self-sustaining, community-rooted club, the way it should be.
Cue the inevitable Facebook outrage. One character, in particular, accused me of being “anti-women’s football.”
Let’s be absolutely clear: for about five years during the Equality FC heyday, while I didn’t attend quite as many games overall, I still probably went to more Lewes FC Women matches than men’s.
I wonder if that keyboard warrior can tell me the name of the West Ham Ladies’ goalkeeper from the pre-season friendly at the Dripping Pan 20 years ago? I can: Bunny. Strange that someone supposedly “anti-women’s football” would know that.
When Lewes FC Women joined the Championship, I was in direct dialogue with the head of the Women’s FA’s, expressing my genuine concerns about the sustainability of women’s football. I engaged regularly in Guardian comment sections about the women’s game, always taking a positive and constructive stance.
I have always praised Equality FC, not the management of it in any way, but the creation of and the most of the characters and all of the players involved with it.
Since the very beginning of the FA Women’s Super League and Championship, I’ve consistently argued that while growth is fantastic, it comes with financial demands that Lewes FC’s governance model would struggle to meet. I took a lot of heat for saying that. I was shouted down. Yet, time has proven my warnings to be absolutely spot on. And still, the bile kept coming.
None of that makes me anti-women’s football. It makes me a realist—and someone who cares deeply about both Lewes FC Women and the wider women’s game.
I’ve had thoughtful exchanges with Maggie Murphy. I’ve written numerous blogs praising the journey, the players, the vision. My concerns have always been about governance, sustainability, and securing a future, not tearing anything down.
In the latest blog, yes, the one linked to this piece, I argue that if Lewes FC Women are sold off to investors, it could be the best thing for them. I even suggest that Lewes Community Club should immediately restart another women’s team to continue our local journey.
Selling off the current Lewes FC Women isn’t an act of betrayal. It’s about giving them the chance to grow into what they truly deserve to be: a properly funded, properly supported professional club.
But, of course, too many people don’t actually read articles anymore. They just skim the headlines, fire up their keyboards, and start ranting.
Sometimes you really do have to spell out the bleeding obvious.
So no, I am not anti-women’s football. I am incredibly pro-women’s football. And I firmly believe that if Lewes FC Women are to thrive and fulfil the hopes and dreams of those who love them, they need, and deserve, real investment. Saying something needs proper funding is not negativity; it’s realism.
After 20 years, the one thing I’ve learned is this: caring enough to speak uncomfortable truths takes far more love than blind cheerleading ever will.
Oh and by the way, I have a huge Suffragette certificate signed by Emily Pankhurst on my wall at home.
Tarring me with a totally ill-founded accusation as you have, I’d suggest it is you who is anti-woman’s football, because you give it a bad name.
The Rights of Fans. 