Women’s football is more than just a sport—it’s a growing community that has become a lifeline for fans across the country. Beyond the goals and rivalries, the women’s game is transforming lives, offering a sense of belonging, improving mental health, and fostering deep social connections.
In this article, we explore how women’s football has made a positive impact on mental well-being and socialisation through the voices of five dedicated fans. Supporting clubs across various levels of the football pyramid, they share their unique stories of how the sport has become a powerful source of friendship, support, and empowerment in their lives.
Millie Winslett, @millie_winslett_28 on Instagram
When did you first get into women’s football?
“I think I’d always been aware of women’s football especially through the men’s team that I’d supported but I particularly got into it through the Euro 2022 tournament and have watched religiously for both club and country since.”
What team do you support?
“Chelsea.”
What’s your best football memory so far?
“I think aside from the obvious euro win I think my favourite football memory has got to be the buildup to the World Cup final last year! I absolutely adored the tournament and was invested in the consistent success of the lionesses!”
What do you like about women’s football?
“I like how supportive the women’s game is, I feel like there has been a safe and comforting environment created not only at games but in a fanbase. I also like the rising competitiveness of the women’s game I feel like it bring a sense of refreshment that is lacking in the men’s game!”
What have you gained since you started watching women’s football?
“Through women’s football I have gained incredible experiences as a girl in not only being able to achieve on the pitch but knowing that the sport has a place for everyone and that pursuing a career in such field is more possible than ever before. In addition I have gained some amazing friends through supporting the women’s game something I think is particularly more evident and easy in women’s football in comparison to other sports!”
What is the community like amongst the fans at your club?
“The environment at my club is not only safe and comforting but filled with a sense of pride while still maintaining that healthy competition that is needed!”
How do you see women’s football continuing to grow?
“I see women’s football progressing by breaking continuous records not only through attendances and viewer ratings but also the wider involvement for all girls in the sport. I also see the growth in attendance see the shift into more games if not all being played in their respective main stadiums.”
Is there any other information you want to add about women’s football, mental health & socialisation
“I think women’s football has certainly had a positive impact on my mental health as not only does it provide you with outstanding role model but it provides a space for you to be you without the shame of thinking a sport is exclusively for one gender!”
George Sullivan, @georgeawfc on X
When did you first get into women’s football?
“I started getting into women’s football properly just before the euros.”
What team do you support?
“I support Arsenal.”
What’s your best football memory so far?
“My best football memory so far is probably the Conti cup in Wolverhampton. Oh, and when I went to Germany for the Champions League against Bayern Munich.”
What do you like about women’s football?
“What I like about women’s football is it seems in my personal experience that in the fan base people seem so helpful and willing to make your football experience the best possible. I am registered blind and everyone seems so helpful and understandable and willing to understand about my disability, with no judgement.”
What have you gained since you started watching women’s football?
“Since I started watching women’s football it’s opened up my knowledge of different female footballers and clubs and has increased my experience and knowledge. It also has given me a lot of confidence as I do my own shows and podcasts.”
What is the community like amongst the fans at your club?
“The community is great at Arsenal, especially with the supporters club and The Red And White. It is brilliant when we have our meet ups. I have made a good few friends because of this.”
How do you see women’s football continuing to grow?
“I see it continuing to grow especially with bigger crowds generally. And more TV and radio right. Let’s continue to push women’s football where it should be and I think it is so important as it does help with peoples mental health.”
Is there any other information you want to add about women’s football, mental health & socialisation?
“Football is that break away and safe place, where you can be surrounded by friends and be united together for your football club. Social interaction is so important the amount of people that struggle in the close season. So everyone keep up the great work with your clubs.”
Jess Deakin, @JessDeakin19 on X
When did you first get into women’s football?
“The first game I watched was England v Brazil in 2019, and ever since then I’ve been hooked. I quickly started following Wolves Women, who were in Tier 4 at the time, and I’ve never looked back.”
What team do you support?
“I’m a Wolves season ticket holder. Back in 2019 women’s football at the club was never mentioned, but after doing some research I discovered we did have a women’s team. I went to my first Wolves Women game in the January of 2020, and ever since then I’ve spend my Saturday’s following the men and the Sunday’s watching the women.”
What’s your best football memory so far?
“I have two that are pretty high up there. Wolves were at the top of their league and only 3 points off promotion when Covid struck, so we were cruelly denied promotion. The same thing happened the following season, but the FAWNL reviewed team’s performance and granted some teams ‘upward movement’ which we were lucky enough to be granted. A week after our promotion was confirmed, they played their first game at Molineux in 19 years, which I was lucky enough to be invited to as Covid restrictions meant it was invite only. The whole occasion was amazing, and after a rollercoaster of 2 years, it was such a fantastic experience to be apart of.
“Our FA cup journey in 2023 was also pretty special, when we were drawn to West Ham at home. To witness the team I’ve followed since Tier 4 welcome a WSL team to their home ground, which included the likes of Mackenzie Arnold and Lisa Evans, was something I’d have only dreamed of in 2020, and it really emphasised how special the journey we’ve been on is.”
What do you like about women’s football?
“I really enjoy the friendly atmosphere that surrounds it. Having started following it back when there used to be a match attendance of around 70 people, I’ve been lucky enough to seen players grow, and share some lovely interactions with them over the years. I think now, as I’m older it’s really nice to see the growth of the game overall, and witness first hand the impact they’re making on young girls in the area.”
What have you gained since you started watching women’s football?
“It’s given me a new sense of pride, being able to relate to people has really allowed my confidence to grow. Women’s football offers a more personal experience, and having been given some fantastic opportunities during the years I’ve followed women’s football (ball girl for England, photography at wolves women) has really allowed me to come out of my shell and grow as a person.”
What is the community like amongst the fans at your club?
“We’re building something fantastic at wolves. Its grown a lot since I started watching, which is great to see.”
“Just a few years ago, crowds were mainly filled with people associated with the players, but to see hundreds of people at games now, some with women’s players on the back of their shirts, just shows the legacy that’s being created in the city.”
“Wolves ‘one pack’ movement has been a fantastic initiative to raise inclusivity of the women’s team at the club, which is really nice to see. Little things like including them in the on pitch end of season awards, and allowing them to do laps of honour has really helped raise the awareness of the team, and has contributed massively to raising attendances.”
How do you see women’s football continuing to grow?
“I think the only way is up! What I’ve witnessed so far has been really special, but with increased investment by clubs as well as greater awareness on social media and TV, the future looks bright for women’s football.”
“A lot still needs to be done, which is still apparent, particularly in lower leagues, where players as high as Tier 3 are having to personally raise money to fund operations proves this. However, with continued backing from the team as a whole, I’d like to think more and more teams will be providing their women’s teams and girls academies with the same opportunities as their male counterparts get!”
Oliver Betts-Richards, (@OllsBR/@ForestWomenCast) on Instagram and X
When did you first get into women’s football?
“When England played and won the European Championship in 2022.”
What team do you support?
“Nottingham Forest.”
What’s your best football memory so far?
“Watching my daughter lead out Nottingham Forest with Lyndsey Harkin at Home Park (Plymouth) in the FA Cup.”
What do you like about women’s football?
“I like that women’s football is less scourged by big corporate interests that have ruined my enjoyment of men’s football and I love the inclusive nature of being at a women’s football match.”
What have you gained since you started watching women’s football?
“I respect the challenges women face playing football, e.g. the huge gulf in access to quality coaching and facilities; the sacrifices they have to make to be involved (balancing work and football); and misogynistic attitudes. Players at the top level shouldn’t have to be as politically involved as they are but without the Lionesses, opportunities for girls would still be as closed as they were for many years.”
What is the community like amongst the fans at your club?
“There are dedicated fans that follow Forest home and away and I feel privileged to be part of that community. Our home crowds could be a lot more noisy.”
How do you see women’s football continuing to grow?
“Unfortunately, I can see the chasm between Tier 1 and 2 growing and the gaps between T1/2 and the rest of the pyramid growing exponentially.
“There will be enormously positive improvements for teams in the WSL (better broadcasting, higher standards and bigger crowds), but teams in T3 and below will continue to be exclusively reliant on association with Premier League and Championship clubs.”
Any other information you want to add about women’s football, mental health & socialisation
“More attention needs to be paid to the pyramid as a whole. The WSL coverage is good and shows women can make a living in the game like they deserve to, but there are lots of undercurrents that need attention (e.g. player welfare, access to facilities, the number of female coaches).”
Natalie Busher, @natalie_86_ on Instagram
When did you first get into women’s football?
“I had the opportunity to watch the England women’s team in Barnsley when I was around 11-12. I really enjoyed it. The issue when I was growing up was that it wasn’t televised very often. The one game that was on the BBC every year was the FA cup final and I always watched this. Then in 2012 I was lucky enough to watch Team GB at the Olympics in a group game. I found a passion and over the years this passion has increased to where it is now.”
What team do you support?
“Arsenal women.”
What’s your best football memory so far?
“There have been so many for different reasons but I’m going to go with the Conti cup final from the 23/24 season. When Stina scored I can’t even explain how wonderful it was celebrating with those around me, comparing it to the previous year and how much we have grown and just a sense of pride. Singing ‘The Angel’ at the end with the players with our scarves held high.”
What do you like about women’s football?
“It’s hard to explain. Over the last 25 years I have seen the game grow, the investment grow, the popularity and the quality. It makes me so proud to be a part of it; if anyone wants to listen I want to talk about it.
The community we have created with how inclusive and safe it is; you can’t beat it.”
What have you gained since you started watching women’s football?
“Confidence and a new outlook on life. Before I started going to games I led a very sheltered and boring life filled with not much adventure. Since I started going to games I have met a group of people that do nothing but support and encourage you. Before 2022 I hadn’t flown in 25 years. The support of those around me got me on a plane to Munich to watch my beloved Arsenal in the Champions League. Since then I have flown multiple times and opened myself up to new adventures.
”I suffer deeply with depression and anxiety and wouldn’t get through the days if it wasn’t for everything football has brought to my life.”
What is the community like amongst the fans at your club?
“In a word – ‘incredible’. That is the word I would use to describe us as a group. I have met people that I would never have met in my life because of that club. We are there for each other not just for football but more than that. We are passionate about creating and maintaining this community , about pushing it for the right reasons, about creating a safe place for anyone to give them the confidence to do what they thought they couldn’t.”
How do you see women’s football continuing to grow?
“I think we are in a really special time for women’s football. It will only continue to grow and get bigger and I’m hoping more clubs see what has been done at clubs like Arsenal and improve investment and help the game continue to grow.”
Any other information you want to add about women’s football, mental health & socialisation
“As a person with anxiety and depression, I have found that being part of the community has really helped me manage this. When football is on I get 90 mins of relief and distraction from everything else. When I’m in the stands singing standing next to my best friends it gives me an outlet for my emotions and the relief to continue with the days ahead.”
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and generously shared their experiences for this article. Your insights have highlighted the incredible impact women’s football has on mental health and community. We’re grateful for your time and openness in contributing to this important conversation.
