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“The atmosphere was electric.”
“The celebration after we won was amazing.”
“I’ll come back with my brother for more games.”
Those were the words of the women and girls who were treated to a 3-2 thriller between Brentford and AFC Bournemouth during the inaugural First Time Fans event.
The initiative, run in partnership between Her Game Too, EA Sports and the host football clubs, aims to provide females with their first experience of attending a professional football match in a welcoming and comfortable group environment.
EA Sports sponsors the tickets and Her Game Too Ambassadors work with the club to welcome the group and guide them through a typical matchday experience.
Her Game Too’s Brentford Ambassador, Ali Mullaley, met six selected women and girls, who were among 60 to apply to attend from targeted local schools and community groups, before the match.
They received goody bags containing merchandise from Brentford FC, EA Sports and Her Game Too, including club scarves and Her Game Too hats in club colours that were welcomed attire on a chilly afternoon.
Her Game Too also produced a bespoke First Time Fans matchday guide, which explained some key rules of the game, Brentford FC’s history, practical information about visiting the GTech stadium, popular Brentford chants, the food and drink available and who would be playing in both squads.
Ali said: “We met at the Bees Superstore and I took them on a quick tour of the outside of the stadium, looking at the sustainability garden, the Remembrance Plaque which had been unveiled that morning and the board listing the day one season-ticket holders at the GTech.
“We then went into the stadium, found our seats and had a chance to get food and drink before watching the players warm up.”
In a pulsating game, Bournemouth initially took the lead through Evanilson and Brentford drew level twice to take the scoreline to 2-2 early in the second half.
The Bees then went ahead through Yoane Wissa’s second goal of the afternoon and held on to secure a morale-boosting victory that saw them leapfrog Bournemouth to move up to 11th in the Premier League table.
“The experience for me was fantastic, seeing these women and girls going from being not quite sure about what to expect to jumping up and down with joy when we scored the winner and then again at the final whistle when the victory was secured,” Ali continued.
“First Time Fans is an important way of introducing women to football because many lack the confidence to go on their own as they often see it as an intimidating atmosphere.
“The opportunity to go with a group, along with a Her Game Too Ambassador who is a regular fan and can show them the ropes, gives them the confidence to go – not just for the first time but in the future as they all wanted to come back.”
Further First Time Fans experiences are set to follow throughout the season at other Premier League, English Football League and Women’s Super League clubs.
Her Game Too Ambassadors will contact schools and community groups local to the clubs to find women and girls who will benefit from attending their first game in a welcoming group environment.
The next event will be held at the Amex when Brighton and Hove Albion host Southampton later this month.
