FA Chair Debbie Hewitt MBE joined a group of first-time female fans to watch Altrincham’s game with Carlisle United in the National League last weekend, to support a new initiative which is aiming to boost support from women and girls at non-League football games.
‘Match of the Dames’ was started in partnership with Altrincham FC this season, with the aim of helping local clubs to get more women into the stands, become real community hubs, provide a balanced and vibrant atmosphere at all of their games and increase the fanbase of clubs at that level.
The brainchild of Altrincham fan and investor Anne Morris, the initiative aims to get 20 new fans who have never been to a game previously to 20 National League games this season both at Moss Lane and at a selection of Altrincham’s away games across the country.
And Debbie made the trip to Moss Lane last weekend to join the Dames and support the scheme, alongside a group of girls and women who were watching the team for the first time.
“Match of the Dames is such a fantastic idea, and it was a real privilege to go along and see a National League game with women who had never watched a live football game before,” said Debbie.
“The crowd included the youngest Dame, Fatima, aged just seven who joined us with her mum Sadaf and sister Khadija.
“Their excitement was infectious and showed just what a fantastic job the Altrincham team do for their community.
“The torrential rain became irrelevant as the drama unfolded with a penalty, two red cards and an absolute screamer of a winning goal from Carlisle’s Regan Linney, back on his former home turf.
“It was football at its best, and I’ve no doubt the club have a recruited a few more fans.”
Find out more information about Match of the Dames and how to be a part of it, with forthcoming fixtures at Altrincham, Braintree and Southend scheduled in October and over the rest of the 2025-26 season.
