Page 3 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.3 2022-23

The opening two weekends of the Barclays Women’s Super League
season has seen a number of records broken across the competition,
including new individual and combined attendance records for the
league.
Arsenal are the new holders of the league attendance record
after 47,367 fans witnessed their win over Tottenham Hotspur in the
North London derby on Saturday at Emirates Stadium, surpassing
the record that was previously held by their rivals of 38,262 from
November 2019 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Some impressive attendances across the second weekend of
the campaign, including a club record 27,574 at Anfield for Liverpool
in the Merseyside derby on Sunday night, contributed to a
cumulative record 89,381 spectators that attended a Barclays WSL
match.
The total number surpasses the previous record of 74,247 from Women’s Football
Weekend in November 2019. It also equates to an average attendance of 14,897 across the
league, passing the record set during Women’s Football Weekend of 12,375.
There was an additional 6,402 spectators across the Barclays Women’s
Championship, meaning a total of 95,783 attended fixtures across the top two divisions.
This included a crowd of 3,637 for Bristol City’s match against Southampton at Ashton
Gate.
The FA Player also saw record numbers, with Arsenal’s win over Brighton & Hove
Albion on the opening night of the season streamed live by 23,366 fans, beating the 20,046
viewers that tuned in to watch the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup match
between Arsenal and Manchester United back in January.
There were also individual club records across the two weekends as well. As well as
their highest attendance at Anfield, Liverpool’s win over Chelsea also saw the Reds break
their highest attendance for a match at Prenton Park, with 3,006 spectators in attendance.
Meanwhile on Wednesday night, Chelsea’s home match against West Ham United at
Kingsmeadow produced a crowd figure of 2,842.
Manchester United also had their highest attendance for a match at Leigh Sports
Village on the opening weekend, with a crowd of 5,315 watching their win over Reading FC
Women.
Meanwhile at Regional League level, Kidderminster Harriers attracted a crowd of
over 1,000 for their West Midlands League match against Sutton Coldfield Town at
Aggborough, whilst Tranmere Rovers’ home tie with Alder FC Women in the North West
Women’s League Argyle Sports Cup tie produced an attendance of 757. Newcastle United
have also produced impressive attendances for their home matches in the FA Women’s
National League already this season.
Kelly Simmons, The FA’s Director for the Women’s Professional Game, said: "It’s
incredible to have seen a number of records broken so early on in the season, which really
highlights the significant interest in the Barclays Women’s Super League right now.
"We set out at the start of the season wanting to break records and really highlight the
unstoppable momentum generated from the UEFA Women’s EURO, and I am delighted we
have been able to do that alongside seeing some enthralling matches and lots of
entertainment.
"I’m particularly pleased to see new records set both in stadiums and by those
watching through our broadcast partners and The FA Player. It really does indicate a
growing audience and I hope we continue to see that growth throughout the season."
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk