IWD-2023 | Hanwell Town Football Club

What is International Womens Day?

Each year International Women's Day is celebrated on March 08th. It's an international event celebrating the cultural, political, social and economic achievements of women. The day also acts as a call to action for accelerating gender equality.

Organisers say that that the occassion is one of the most important days of the year to celebrate the achievements of women as well as to educate and raise awareness.

When did it start?

International Women's Day grew out of the labour movement to become a recognised event by the United Nations in 1975. The roots of the movement were planted in 1908 when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay and the right to vote.

The idea to give the day international an reach was suggested activist by Clara Zetkin in 1910 at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. The day was then first formally celebrated in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.

What's the theme for 2023?

For this year the theme has been announced as Embrace Equity. They are calling on people to challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination and seek out opportunities for greater inclusion in 2023.

In a statement organisers said:

"People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging requires open-minded and equitable action."

"We can all challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and seek out inclusion. Collective activism is what drives change. From grassroots action to wide-scale momentum, we can all embrace equity."

Here at Hanwell...

We thought we'd recognise International Women's Day this year by finding out more about the women who help run and support Hanwell Town. You can find our catch ups with Elsa, Katy, Cidinha, Lucy and Jane below. However, keep an eye out for the final two other interviews over the next few days.

Russell Simpson

12/03/2023

Jane

What’s your current role at the Club?
I manage the gate at our home games. I also bake cakes for the Boardroom as well as make the tea/coffee.

How and when did you first get involved?

The same time as Elsa really. About 5/6 years ago I took Elsa to a game because Glyn went to watch Hull play. Elsa wanted to go and I said I would take her.

What’s your favourite part of your role?

Talking to the regulars on the gate...and you of course Russ!

What’s the most challenging part of your role?

No major specific challenges but you do get the odd person who isn't too happy for some reason.

What’s your first memory of the Club?

Hanwell won and Elsa said "...Dad you have to take me to their next game!".

What’s your favourite memory?

When we won the play-off final at the end of last season. It was a nail bitting thriller of a match!

Do you have a favourite player (past / present or on / off the pitch)?

Gareth Chendlik of course - he's Welsh!

Do you have a favorite Hanwell kit (home / away)?

The home kit this year with the bridges - it's fabulous.

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen?

We have much bigger crowds now and the ground has changed significantly. Plus there lots of Glyn's handy work around - biased on that of course!

Are you originally from Hanwell / West London?

Not originally but I've lived in Hanwell for 27 years now.

What do you do when you’re not at the Club (day job and / or hobby)?

I'm an Assistant Head Teacher.

International Women’s Day (IWD)...

Football has too often been portrayed as a male dominated environment so what’s it like being a woman at the heart of Hanwell Town?

I'm treated with respect and if you give an opinion about the game or player you're listened too.

Please come and visit the most friendly, family orientated football club in West London - one visit and you'll be hooked!

Lucy

Becoming a fan…

How did you first come across Hanwell Town?
We came a few times when I was very little but I didn’t start coming properly until lockdown when Premier League clubs closed their doors and we couldn’t go to Spurs! Then we started coming to Hanwell regularly and we got addicted!!

What and when was your first game? What do you remember about it?
I can’t remember my very first game because I was really young. But it was at the Powerday and apparently I was being very gobby and calling the players my sons, so don’t suppose much has changed there!!

Fan facts...

Are you from Hanwell / West London originally?
I am from Pitshanger so not far from Hanwell so unfortunately I'm not a true Hanwell girl.

How many Hanwell games have you been to so far / this season?
Approximately 20 - I think.

Do you have any good luck rituals or superstitions pre / post match?
Obviously have to get a 50/50 ticket and say hello to my best mate Dave!!

Who was your favourite team whilst growing up? Do you currently support any other teams?
Tottenham Hotspur - who else!!

Do you play or support/follow any other sports?
Don’t know if it counts but running - I ran the marathon last year and Hanwell supporters were amazing!!

Do you have a favourite...

Spot to watch a game at the Powerday
From between the dug outs, but behind the goal is fun too.
Hanwell player (past / present)?
Near far we LOVE YOU DAN CARR!! As for past players, Adam and George.
Game of the season so far?
We did lose but I loved when we played Ebbsfleet. The atmosphere was great and we played really well.
Overall memory of the Club?
Obviously getting promoted! But also beating Staines 12-0 last season stands out.
‘Footy scran’ (home / away)?
Chips and curry sauce when we've been away. At home, I love when we have pop ups!!

International Women’s Day (IWD)…

Football has too often been portrayed as a male dominated environment, so what’s it like being a women supporter at Hanwell Town?
All the fans are so kind and friendly to everyone so have always had a fab experience being a woman supporter. I think at lots of clubs football fans can just assume that girls don’t know anything about football, but I don’t feel that’s the case at Hanwell.

Is there anything else that Clubs can do to ensure they’re more inclusive to women either as a player and / or a fan?
At Hanwell I have always felt very welcomed but I think that all clubs should have more women on committee - every club needs an Elsa!!

Cidinha

Getting involved...

What’s your current role at the Club?
I'm the Bar Manager in the Club House.

How and when did you first get involved?

I got involved because my son used to play for our youth club. One day we were doing tea/coffee outside at bank pitches and our lovely Bob Fisher started to come and watch the games on a Sunday morning. One day he asked Michelle and myself if we were able to run the kitchen for the senior club at the Saturday home games.

What’s your favourite part of your role?

My favourite part of my role is that I get to see and talk to the fans, players from both sides as well as talking about football in general.

What’s the most challenging part of your role?

My most challenging moments are when we're busy or I'm trying to get staff to help out. Our aim at the bar and kitchen is to give a good service to our customers and to avoid big queues in the Club House.

Whilst you’ve been at Hanwell...

What’s your first memory of the Club?

Meeting Roy on Sunday mornings. He used to go to the Club to wash the first team kit and we used to chat. He loved our cup of coffee. I could stay and chat with him for hours - such a lovely man!

What’s your favourite memory?

My favourite memory is when we got promoted last season.

Do you have a favourite player (past / present or on / off the pitch)?

My favourite player has to be Calum Duffy of course!

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen?

The biggest change I’ve seen since I've been involved is the Club House & toilets, the pitch, the boardroom and the changing rooms. It’s unbelievable how the Club changed for the last 4/5 years.

Away from the Club...

Are you originally from Hanwell / West London?

I live in Ealing.

What do you do when you’re not at the Club (day job and / or hobby)?

I run a netball league as a job and I'm heavily involved with the Hanwell Town Youth Club.

Are you involved in other football / sport related activities away from the Club?
I'm involved in the Hanwell Youth Club Development Centre every Saturday morning and I managed the U14 team.

International Women’s Day (IWD)...

Football has too often been portrayed as a male dominated environment so what’s it like being a woman at the heart of Hanwell Town?

Being in an environment that's mainly male dominated can often be be tricky. As a match referee, I've heard all comments that you could imagine over the years...
“Oh don’t worry, she's a women. She doesn’t know anything about football”; and
“What do you expect? She is a women!”.
Thankfully things have started to improve and I've seen a great amount of change since the Lionesses won the Euros last year!

Whilst these are general comments, at Hanwell Town I've never felt excluded because I'm female. I feel respected but at the same time I wouldn’t expect to be treated differently just because I’m a women. Thankfull we're all equal at Hanwell Town.

Katy

The football manager is often the face of a Club but there’s the old adage that behind every successful manager is a football ‘widow’.
As part of International Women’s Day, we wanted to take the opportunity to find out if it applies at Hanwell Town.

First of all, please can you tell us a little about yourself and what it’s like to be the partner of a football manager?

So I’m Katy, I’m Chris’s partner, I’m 38 and mum to 3 children: Maisie who is 15, Rory who is 8 and Rudi who is 4.

I’ve been hairdressing for 20 years.

Being the partner of a football manager is sometimes tough but I see the passion and love Chris has and has always had for football, so watching him in a managerial role is something that makes me feel very proud.
I’m used to the routine of his football career so managing wasn’t much different apart from being a little more involved in all aspects of what goes into each game - choosing the right players, losing players due to injuries and the signing new players.

Where was Chris in his football career when you first met? Also, if you don’t mind telling us, how did you both first meet?

When I first met Chris he was playing for Brentford in League 1. The first time I ever met Chris, he had played Luton at home and was sent off for a nasty tackle. I will always remember that night because we were at a bar in Ealing and he was the only one in a suit. I later found out that’s not what he wore on a night out, but in fact what he had to wear for home games.

Were you a football fan before you met? If not, has he made you a convert since then?

I’ve always really liked football but never really followed a specific team, I did however go to the 2006 World Cup out in Germany to watch England v Portugal. Later that year when I met Chris, I pretty much went to most of his home games.

Is there a particular part of Chris’ career that stands out for you?

Moments of Chris’s career that stand out for me would have to be Winning the league with Dagenham & Redbridge.
Becoming a manager for the first time in his career at Egham, me and my parents went with the kids to watch his first ever game there as manager.
...and how could it not be winning promotion with Hanwell town !!!
I have to say that winning game against Chertsey was probably one of the best games I’ve ever watched. Me and the kids went to Chertsey and watched and that’s something the kids will always remember.

Chris has been our Manager for a few years now, what were your thoughts when Chris said he was joining Hanwell Town?

When I found out Chris was taking over at Hanwell I was excited for him. His time at Egham wasn’t easy, plus Hanwell was just down the road from us so it made sense.

Have you been to many Hanwell matches over the years / this season?

I try and come to as many home games as possible with the kids, they love coming to Hanwell on a Saturday.

What is Chris like when Hanwell win….and when they lose?

Win or lose Chris has a similar approach, of course he can be more upset with a loss but he doesn’t dwell on it for too long. He’s straight back to sorting out what he can change and improve on, ready for the next game ahead.

What’s your go to activity / hobby when it’s match day at Hanwell?

Match day Chris does his own thing and I leave him to it. I’m usually being a “soccer mum “at football training in the morning with Rory, then if it’s a home game straight to Hanwell. Our weekends consist of a football theme, so after Rory’s training and Chris’s game we usually watch any football league or non-league that might be on over the weekend, followed by match of the day.

We know as a Club how we try to support Chris in his role however, how can we support you?

In terms of how the club can support me, I honestly don’t feel that they need to. I’m actually quite shy but I never feel uncomfortable coming to a game with the kids on my own. It's been nice getting to know the staff over the years.
I feel very grateful that Chris is managing at such a great club. Watching how supportive they are is with Chris is lovey to see. Even when things are tough it’s nice to know he has the Hanwell staff and the team behind him.

Elsa

Getting involved...

What’s your current role at the Club?
I'm the Marketing Manager. This involves activities like coporate sponsorship, merchandise, social media, the matchday programme and the Club's charitable activities. Then whatever else is needed to support the Manager and players as well as the Committee.

How and when did you first get involved?

Around 8 years ago, my Dad and I found it on a bike ride. I started helping on the gate when I was 13/14 and then started helping with the Twitter when I was 15.

What’s your favourite part of your role?

Meeting new people. Especially when you meet Newcastle Fans who have come down, shows how far we’ve come.

What’s the most challenging part of your role?
Probably time. Trying to fit everything in alongside a full time job can be tricky.

Whilst you’ve been at Hanwell...

What’s your first memory of the Club?

Finding the club with my dad, going to our first game then driving past it the next day asking when we can go back.

What’s your favourite memory?

Winning the play off, 100%. Nothing will ever top that.

Do you have either a favourite...

First team kit (home or away)?

This season’s home kit. Enjoyed designing it and love looking at people wearing it around the world.

Player (past / present or on / off the pitch)?

No shock, Chendlik. Gareth is my favourite person, helps a lot with ideas and execution, he’s a great guy.

It’s hard to name everyone but our play off squad has to be the best. Everyone was amazing, on and off the pitch.

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen?

Step 5 -> Step 4 -> Step 3

Away from the Club...

Are you originally from Hanwell / West London?

Yep! Born at Ealing Hospital. Love Hanwell!

What do you do when you’re not at the Club (day job and / or hobby)?

I've been to 346 Hanwell matches over the year but I'm also groundhopper. For example, I've been to 41 matches already in 2023 and I've collected pin badges from 728 different clubs.

Are you involved in other football / sport related activities away from the Club?

I’m part of the Non League Day which is always exciting! We went to Bilbao in January!

International Women’s Day (IWD)...

Football has too often been portrayed as a male dominated environment so what’s it like being a woman at the heart of Hanwell Town?

Love it, everyone at Hanwell is great. Sometimes I get funny looks if I walk into a boardroom at another club which used to annoy me when I was younger but now I love it. It’s funny how ‘old school’ some clubs still are!