Ahead of Sunday’s FAWNL Southern Premier Division game at Home Park, between Argyle and AFC Bournemouth, Rob McNichol talks about why he is more excited about this game than he ever thought he would be…
--
Let’s start with this: if you have no interest in women’s football, you are forgiven for closing this page right now. You have every right to pick and choose what football – or entertainment in general – that you imbibe, there will be no judging here.
If you like women’s football, and if you are an Argyle Women fan, you are probably going to read to the bottom of this article anyway. So, thank you for your support, and I hope you enjoy.
To the rest of you - probably the majority of you, and essentially the target audience of this missive – I would like to talk to you.
If you are on the fence, if it is something you are curious of but don’t claim to know too much about, if you have been picking up the vibes of how Marie Hourihan’s team have turned their fortunes this season – then this Sunday might be the day you come along for the first time.
Let’s set the scene, with a brief history lesson, coupled with a seasonal update. Argyle Women play in the third tier of English women’s football, which is regionalised, north and south. For the last few seasons, since reaching that level, the Pilgrims have just about kept their heads above the parapet which is denoted by the dreaded dotted line of relegation.
In fairness, this has been a very decent achievement. Under the auspices of the Argyle Community Trust, a charitable organisation, the Greens showed great fight to remain where they were. In the summer of 2024, the team came under the umbrella of the football club. Even then, survival was attained on the final day of last season, with a win at Gwalia United.
This time round, following the appointment of Marie Hourihan, things are a little different. Extensive recruitment, bringing in more experience and quality, has seen Argyle start the season strongly.
In the league, the Greens have played six games, winning four, drawing one and losing one. We are the leading goalscorers in the division, and have conceded just three, which is the joint-best divisional figure. In three cup ties, all against sides in the division below, Argyle have won 5-1, 5-1, 6-0. We’ve scored 35 goals in nine games in all competitions, conceding five.
In short – we’re really good now.
But so are Bournemouth. They were promoted, unbeaten, last season, and have five wins and one draw from their six games. It’s first v third, and it’s a big test for both teams. I’m genuinely really excited for it. 2pm, Home Park, Sunday, £2.50 for men’s season-ticket holders, a fiver the rest. Under-14s free. What’s stopping you?
If I am being brutally honest, only a few years ago, I would have been fairly dismissive of the game. I wouldn’t have gone. Now, I’m buzzing for it. It’s been a real evolution of my attitude, and I can almost track it via the Women’s Euros successes for the Lionesses.
I’m not sure I even watched the game when England won the women's Euros in 2022. I probably had it on in the background, with something else playing on the iPad, maybe.
I would have been pleased that we won - I'm happy when England win at anything - but it was a blip on my radar, really.
In July this year, I watched the final with 300 or so people in Club Argyle, at Home Park, and I felt those nerves that are so familiar with watching the England men's team. I also felt so, so happy when we won the game.
The transformation, if you can call it that, has without doubt come from the last 20 or so months working with the Argyle Women's team. Near the end of 2023, I was given a role of essentially being a bit of a mentor, with no real responsibility for the women’s media side of things, but in time I found myself going to more and more games, getting into it, and - here's the important bit - caring.
A quick fast-forward to today, and my role, along with other duties, includes being the Women’s team lead as far as media goes. (Which essentially means my colleague Toby does way more work than me, but I oversee and delegate!) I commentate on the home matches for Argyle TV and am involved in various behind-the-scenes matters. And I can't believe how much I enjoy it.
This is not the place to instigate a discussion about quality of football or anything like that. Little I say will sway you, one way or another.
But here is my big take-away from something like the Lionesses’ Euros success.
All over the country that night, 6-, 7-, 8-year-old girls went to bed elated at England winning a trophy. Afterwards, they could go to school and play football, talk about football. Schools now have girls' teams, more and more clubs have girls’ teams; for so many women's footballers, their story is that they were the only girl in the boys' team, and they had to fight to be accepted.
Those girls in school and at their football clubs can now aspire to be Lucy Bronze or Lauren Hemp or Keira Walsh. They are not limited to idolising Bukayo Saka or Harry Kane, all the time knowing they can never be them. They now have role models who are just like them.
One of the great things about football is how meritocratic it is. Background is rather irrelevant. There are a lot of sports where class is a factor, or where lack of money for equipment or coaching prevents progress. All around the world, kids with absolutely nothing make it to be big footballing stars.
But, 20 years ago, little girls didn't see people they could possibly grow up to be on television, to idolise. You could argue that you shouldn't hero-worship footballers, male or female, and you'd probably be right, but I think it is probably better to think a lot of someone who has worked to be one of the best of the world at their craft, rather than aspiring to be an 'influencer' or chancing your way onto a reality show.
On a more local level, by coming to Home Park, young girls who love their football can see players who they can dream of being. At the end of the game, they can talk to them, get a selfie, get them to sign their shirt. The joy on their faces when they have seen Charlotte Whitmore curl in a great goal, and then meet her after the game, is priceless.
I have spent time with our women's team players, and they are young, passionate, ambitious, driven - and talented. They also love football just as much as any of the men's players I know.
I am very proud of how our club is supporting our women's team. We are investing in infrastructure, support, development. We have someone who works on player care to make sure they are supported. We help players get education alongside their football, and several players are employed in part-time office-based positions beyond just the playing side.
It is making a difference, on and off the field, and the progress – in more than one meaning of the word – is palpable.
There is a genuine chance that we could – as the title of our documentary series says – make waves this season. I can assure you, should Argyle Women get promoted, it will mean just as much to me as if the men do.
I haven't started caring any less about men's football; I still love it dearly. But being part of a team, any team, knowing what it would mean to them should they succeed, renders gender completely irrelevant.
Something I know from speaking to the players is how much they value playing at Home Park. It is the best pitch, the best facilities, the best stadium they play at all season. On Sunday, they’ll walk out to Semper, hear the Janner song, and take on the league leaders. It would be great to have as many people backing them as possible.
I can’t promise we’ll win. I can’t promise that it will make you decide to come to every game from now on - and it’s perfectly fine if you don’t, by the way.
But I promise you will see a team – well organised and talented – giving their all for Argyle. Ultimately, I think that’s what we all really want.
See you Sunday.
--
Tickets are still available - head to argyletickets.com!
