There were two reasons why I wanted to write for Hammyend. First was because it was where I watched Fulham alongside my family. The second was that this site strove to cover the women’s game. Imagine my joy when I found out only a few years ago that Mary Southgate was also a Hammersmith End season-ticket holder. Seeing Fulham’s women’s captain carrying out the Championship trophy for Tom Cairney to lift at the end of Marco Silva’s first season at Craven Cottage was very special.

Fulham’s history as a pioneer in women’s football is a proud one, but it will be undermined by Mohamed Al-Fayed’s actions. The Lionesses have taken the women’s game to new heights but the Whites have been unable to exploit after the former chairman pulled the plug on our professional side. I think the reasons behind that decision are becoming clearer. In the aftermath of Chloe Kelly’s third trophy-winning moment for her country, it was disheartening to hear a west London born lady, a role model as someone who had come through being frozen out at Manchester City to win European titles for her club and country being criticised.

Ahmed Shooble, who previously covered Fulham during his time with the Athletic, has written an amazing article for VERSUS this evening, which nails the problem. It’s worth quoting his own words:

“Her last eight months might make her seem like an overnight sensation, but the receipts of her footballing pedigree are there for anyone willing to look. 

Pivotal in Arsenal winning their second Champions League trophy despite joining halfway through the season. Dragged England to yet another European Championship in the coldest way possible. Plays with an infectious confidence that bleeds into everything she does. Carries herself with the type of energy that resonates beyond sport and has the streets in a headlock.

She’s not just playing football, she’s shaping the way the women’s game is perceived by new fans. That audacious penalty run-up that turned pressure into cinema is going triple platinum on playgrounds and gardens as we speak. Don’t be surprised to see her Calm Down celebration in FC26, either.

You won’t find a baller with as many cultural touchpoints over the last year. Even before she conquered European football for club and country, Kelly had juice unlike any other. 

The 27-year-old was the only female baller to appear in the Corteiz and Nike film alongside heavy hitters like Eduardo Camavinga, Edgar Davids and Phil Foden. She was the designated player chosen to rep for west London in the Nike x Talk Nice Studios teaser shoot. Handpicked to debut a new Total 90 colourway as a Baller League manager alongside Ian Wright.

And yet, instead of recognition, her detractors would rather disrespect her. Not because they hate women’s football. But because they hate women.

The hate isn’t subtle either. Every loud, bubbly, braggadocious trait she has — traits we would laud in any male player — is picked apart. Her confidence is “cringe.” Her edge is “forced.” If she dares to speak her mind, post a cheeky caption, or flex after delivering in big moments, people queue up to tear it down. There’s no footballing logic to it; it’s a gut reaction built on the discomfort some men feel watching a woman dominate a space they assume belongs to them.

And this isn’t new. We’ve seen it across music, film, even politics. Women who don’t apologise for existing with confidence get labelled as arrogant or unlikable. But football is particularly vicious because its culture is still so defined by its masculine mythology. 

The pitch, the terrace banter, the pubs — those were always framed as male-coded spaces. And here comes Chloe Kelly, unapologetically taking up that space, matching and surpassing expectations, and people are scrambling to rationalise their discomfort.”

Unfortunately, misogyny still exists. I thought one of the legacies of Kelly’s first ‘Bobby Zamora’ moment would be that little girls would never be told they couldn’t be footballers any more. But the hate continues. It isn’t rationale or right, but it does need dealing with. That’s why organisations like the Fulham Lillies are important – and supporting the women’s game – as well as a women’s right to be just that – remains vital. Chloe’s shown us the way to do and male allies like Ahmed make it much easier.