Women's football or ladies football?
What does a name mean to you? For many people it's just a label; a way of recognising and differentiating between identities. But that's not the case in football. Names are synonymous with success or failure and give pride to those who represent them. Whilst they can be used to praise, they can also offend- inadvertently or not. Since Arsenal's female side dropped 'ladies' from their name and became 'women', the issue of what female sides should be called has become a big talking point. So should it be called 'ladies' football or 'women's' football, or do female players not actually care?
Well, it seems to be the latter. In a recent interview with the BBC, Millwall Lionesses' player Jordan Butler admitted that being called either a women or ladies player "wouldn't bother her ." Her view was also reiterated by fellow team mate, Ashlee Hincks, who said whilst she prefers her team to be called women, "it's not massively important."
But are these views supported by equality pioneers Lewes FC? Director, Charlie Dobres, says people shouldn't read too much into the name. "I wouldn't die in a ditch over insisting it's called women's football. We were Lewes Ladies until this season when we said you know what we need to be Lewes Women. Charlton Athletic are Charlton Athletic Women, Arsenal have changed from ladies to women. I think all of them will."
Of the 10 teams in the Women's Super League, four- including Arsenal- are called 'women'. Whereas, the other six are all called 'ladies'. Whilst the FA has always used "women" for both its leagues and teams, its rules state that clubs are free to choose their own name.
However, many believe that clubs shouldn't be called 'ladies' due to the negative yet inadvertent connotations that come with it. Dobres says he can understand why people might get offended. "On balance I think it's better to call it women's football because there's inferences about the word ladies which suggests you don't get the same physicality or skill. There's something about that word which is unintentionally a little bit demeaning."
So that's the clubs and the players but what’s the general consensus amongst football fans? I asked the vital question on Twitter:
Out of 32 people asked, 66% of people said they weren't bothered where as 31% said Women and 3% voted Ladies.
After carefully considering a variety of views, I have decided to use the term 'women's football' throughout the documentary.
