This past Sunday, March 8, marked the 115th anniversary of International Women’s Day, an annual celebration of women’s achievements and acknowledgement of the adversities women still face.
With football such a male-dominated industry, it is essential we see more women involved in the sport, with Gloucester City A.F.C. a leading non-league club when it comes to gender diversity off the pitch.
Club Secretary & Welfare Officer – Claire Mulcock
What does your role consist of?
“My day-to-day is very busy and varied, it depends on what Daf (Williams) has got me to do,” she laughed. “If he’s signing players then it’s very busy, especially on a Friday.”
What do you love the most about your job?
“I just love being part of this team, there’s a big community feel and we have lots of great people working here.”
How do you feel as a women working in a male-dominated industry?
“When I first started, I don’t think people took me very seriously, but now I think they do.
“It’s just been such a male orientated game, not many women have had the chance to be in football, but now there’s more coming through, which is great.”
What can be done to increase women’s involvement in football?
“Having more and more women coming through the youth development programme, and progressing to the first team.”
Board Member: Jenny Jones
How did you get into your role?
“I used to work for Eamonn (McGurk), the owner, and I came down to help out, and I just made friends down here so I decided to stay, and the rest is history,” she smiled.
What does a match-day look like for you?
“It starts quite early, there’s usually lots of WhatsApp messages flying around.
“I’ll get here around 12pm to make sure the turnstiles are running smoothly, the food and bar is set up, making sure all the volunteers are in place, a bit of everything,” she laughed.
What do you love the most about your job?
“All the people, I think it’s really nice that we’ve got a real community spirit, and everyone’s part of the team.
“Everybody’s always there to help each other, if you ever need anything there is always someone around that will be there.”
How important is that community aspect, especially at a non-league club?
“Here is like a big family, there’s people that come here that won’t see people from one week to the next, and it’s important we make our games something to look forward to, especially for the older generation.
And now we’re introducing the younger generation, I look after the mascot slots, and to see all the little kids running around is fantastic, because they’re the future of Gloucester City.”
On young girls’ & women involvement in football:
“There’s been so much progression, now this can be a career for then, if they see the Lionesses as something to aspire to, we can provide the pathway for them to get involved.
“Football’s becoming more inclusive for women, and at Gloucester City we have more women involved than any Southern League club, so I think we’re leading the charge in terms of our number of women involved.”
