England will take on Switzerland in a friendly international at Woking on 27 October.
Football fans in Woking will get the chance to see their second England international of 2005 at the Kingfield Stadium as the England Women’s U17 side take on Switzerland on Thursday 27 October.
England v Switzerland
U17s International Women's Friendly
Kingfield Stadium, Woking
27 October 2005, 7.30pm
In February, 3,343 supporters, including FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick saw the England National Game XI side defeat Holland 3-0, and with admission once again free, The FA’s Director of Football Development Sir Trevor Brooking and Woking’s Football Director Phil Ledger are hoping for a large crowd to cheer on The Three Lions.
“Hosting another international fixture is a huge honour for the club, and a valued endorsement by The FA that they liked what they saw in February and therefore decided to come back,” said Ledger.
“The club have been very proactive in creating links with our local community and with this fixture taking place during the half-term holidays, we have already been busy working with The FA and Surrey FA to ensure that all the local schools, junior clubs and our own fan base come along in three weeks time.”
Girls and Women’s football is the fastest participation sport in the country and the number one female participation sport.
The U17 side plays an increasingly important role in providing some of the most talented young female footballers in the country with their first taste of international football.
“With the player development structure we now have in place, the most talented young female players can be supported all the way through the system, and with the increasing popularity of the women’s game in England, supporters at this game will be seeing some of the future international stars of the future in action,” says Trevor Brooking.
There are now over 1500 registered female players in the Surrey County Girls League and recently appointed Development Officer for the Surrey Sports Partnership, Clare Nichols, is hopeful that this fixture will inspire even more young girls and women to get involved.
Clare said: “Prior to Euro 2005 there were still reservations held in some quarters about females playing the game.
“However, following the success of that tournament, boys and girls were seen wearing shirts with the names of Kelly Smith and Faye White on the backs for the first time, and hopefully the players in action at the Kingfield Stadium will be the stars that future generations of players will grow up hoping to emulate."