Following the disappointment surrounding the cancellation of the BBC’s women’s football show, a gap was left in the media for something new to come along, and Alex Scott was quick to step in. As women’s football continues to grow, there is a need to meet the demands of an expanding audience, continuing to grow the game and build on the women’s football community in new ways.
Therefore we saw Alex Scott launch her production company, First Cap Productions, with a bang, introducing One More Word WSL. With seven episodes released so far, I have more than just one word to say about the show.
What is One More Word WSL?
One More Word WSL launched at the beginning of the Barclays Women’s Super League season, releasing new episodes every Monday to review the previous weekend’s matchday and cover each game that took place. Leading the show are former England internationals and Arsenal legends Alex Scott, Fara Williams and Anita Asante. Each week, they welcome around 12 to 14 panelists onto the show, bringing together passionate fans representing their clubs across the league, alongside neutrals of the women’s game.
With a new round of fixtures to discuss each week, the panel dives into the key talking points and standout moments from the games. Whether it is tactical analysis, individual player performances or the teams as a whole, the format encourages wider conversations and debates, creating space for different perspectives, agreements and disagreements to take place.
Full episodes are released on the One More Word YouTube channel on Mondays, while its Instagram and TikTok accounts distribute clips throughout the week. By highlighting key talking points and discussions, these platforms help introduce the show to new audiences while encouraging further conversations around the WSL beyond the episodes themselves.
Behind the Scene: My experience as a panelist
Having grown up watching the women’s game grow, from grassroots football to the WSL, receiving the call-up from Alex Scott to be a panellist was a real honour. Alex is someone I have looked up to for many years, particularly over the past eight, making the opportunity to be part of the show even more special.
As soon as I stepped onto the set, my nerves began to disappear. The environment created within the studio was incredibly welcoming, and being surrounded by like-minded people who share the same passion for growing the game was a special feeling. Once filming began, it was all go, with the familiar instruction of ‘quiet on set’. For someone experiencing this for the first time, it can be quite daunting, but I never felt out of place.
Representing Chelsea, there were two Chelsea supporters on the panel during my first episode. However, Alex made a conscious effort to ensure everyone had their opportunity to speak. Whether it was asking a question or bringing someone into the conversation by addressing them by name, she made sure everyone felt included. It might seem like a small gesture, but within the media industry, where multiple panellists are competing to have their voices heard, it can make a real difference.
One of the things that stood out most was how everyone’s opinions were welcomed. Even when panellists disagreed, their perspectives were acknowledged and considered, often sparking further debate. It created an environment where people could challenge one another’s views without making anyone feel that their opinion was wrong.
Throughout my time as a panellist, I have been fortunate to share the panel with so many incredible people. Even when representing rival clubs, the conversations feel natural, and the shared passion for the women’s game brings everyone together. Beyond the discussions themselves, I have been lucky enough to form new friendships through the experience, making it even more rewarding.
Outside the studio: What do the viewers think?
While my experience as a panellist has given me an insight into what happens behind the scenes, the real test of any show is how it is received by the people watching at home. With seven episodes of One More Word WSL now released, I wanted to look beyond my own experience and find out what viewers think of the show, what they enjoy about it and whether there is room for further development.
I reached out to women’s football fans to hear their thoughts on the show so far, with the responses highlighting the value of bringing supporters together to share their perspectives on the game.
One viewer highlighted the appeal of the debates between supporters, saying:
“I really enjoy listening to the debates that the fans can have about the different teams, and how everyone can get involved with their opinions even if it’s not their team.”
This reflects one of the show’s key strengths, creating a space where supporters can engage with discussions outside of their own clubs. With fans bringing their own experiences, loyalties and opinions to the table, the conversations have the potential to offer a wider perspective on the WSL rather than a discussion centred around one team alone which is a bias we normally see within the mainstream media.
Another viewer echoed this sentiment, highlighting the depth of the conversations and the importance of dedicated coverage for the women’s game.
“It’s great to see a show that brings together fans from across the WSL to share their opinions and have proper and in depth conversations about the games. Everyone has a different perspective, which makes the debates interesting, and it’s refreshing to see women’s football getting this kind of dedicated coverage.”
However, not all feedback was entirely positive with one Arsenal supporter raising a point about the balance of club representation on the panel, saying:
“I enjoy the show however as an Arsenal fan I feel as though there are often too many Arsenal fans on the panel at times.”
With supporters representing different clubs at the heart of the show’s format, ensuring a balance of voices is an important consideration. While passionate supporters bring energy and personality to the discussions, a varied panel can help introduce different perspectives and allow fans of clubs across the league to feel represented.
Overall the responses gathered highlight both the appeal of One More Word WSL and the opportunities available to improve as the show continues to develop. Bringing supporters together to debate the game is central to its identity, while listening to audience feedback could help strengthen the impact of the show even further.
One More Word from Me
Launching a new show is one thing, but building and developing it week after week is another. Alex Scott has created something special with One More Word WSL, bringing together passionate supporters to share their opinions, challenge perspectives and celebrate the women’s game.
Throughout its pilot season, it has been clear that the show is continuing to evolve, with Alex Scott and the production team making developments to everything from the graphics and studio set to the way the conversations are presented.
Having experienced the show both as a viewer and as a panellist, it has been a privilege to be part of something that brings people together through a shared passion for women’s football. Seven episodes in, One More Word WSL is still finding its feet, but its potential is exciting.
As the women’s game continues to grow, so does the need for platforms that give it the coverage, discussion and community it deserves. And if the first seven episodes are anything to go by, there is plenty more to come.
