As we celebrate the partnership between Her Game Too and Hartlepool United it’s good to reflect on the work done in the past 4 years!

Raising awareness of the issues faced by females within the game and encouraging reporting can help to support those affected and educate the wider community.

The International Women’s Day campaign theme is Give to Gain, and IWD are promoting the work Her Game Too does and have published the following endorsement:

“Sexism in sport is not a thing of the past.”

“92% of female football fans say they have witnessed sexism – in most cases suffering it personally. A stark reminder that equality is something that still needs addressing urgently.”

“This is the mission driving Her Game Too, a volunteer-led movement founded in 2021 to challenge sexism and create an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of gender, can participate in sport without fear of harassment or discrimination.”

“Her Game Too is giving fans of gender equality something to cheer about. We give visibility to gain respect. We give confidence to gain inclusivity. We give forward to gain a future of belonging.”

“Through visibility, empowerment, and education, Her Game Too is demonstrating that when we give support to women and girls in sport, we all stand to gain a brighter future.”

As we celebrate the work done across Hartlepool, we welcome 2 more female supporters to tell their story of supporting HUFC.

Jill has made many Poolie friends whilst travelling to away games over the past 3 years. Highlighting the sense of community that following a football club can bring to people’s lives. One of these is the wonderful Debbie Ellis (61) and her husband Martin (Ginger) Ellis. Debbie first met Jill at Dorking Wanderers on the Blues Brothers end of season fancy dress game in April 2024.

Debbie told us:

“I have been supporting Hartlepool United for 12 years. My favourite player is Nicky Featherstone who always takes the time to speak whenever I see him at games. My favourite memory, like many other supporters, is the Bristol play off final against Torquay in 2021. The atmosphere and gaining promotion were unforgettable.

In the future I hope that we go back into the EFL and Nicky keeps the manager’s job. It is great that Her Game Too is being recognised by a lot more clubs across the country. And what fabulous work that Jill and her team do at Hartlepool United FC.”

Finally, Pat Sprintall (63) shares her memories.

“I first started going to Pools when I was 14/15 years old (it was where the lads where!!). I went with some girls from my school, but I really enjoyed watching the football and that’s when my love of Pools started.

“I Can’t remember my first game I watched but the one that got me hooked on supporting Pools was when we played Runcorn……. if I remember, we were getting beat 2 nil at half time. Pools came out for the second half and scored 4. We all jumped over the wall at the rink end and ran on the pitch …… it was magical to be a part of something special. Obviously, I wouldn’t encourage anyone doing that now. Things were different back then nearly 50 years ago.

I might need to list a few from different times!!

From my early days it was the likes of Bob Newton and Billy Arye. But my favourite player for a while was Joel Porter. He was a fab lad, ran all over the pitch, scored a lot of goals and set Adam Boyed up for 20 plus goals too. Hugh Robinson was another of my favourites who came from Scotland when Neale Cooper was manager. Hugh the Hammer, his free kicks nearly took the back of the net out off on several occasions.

I have so many fabulous memories of game over the years. The obvious games like Cardiff, Bristol and Crystal Palace. But one of my favourite games was our game at Bournemouth. We needed either a win or a draw to get into the playoffs. Which was the year we went to Cardiff. 8 hours on a coach with two 11-year-olds was a journey and a half. To keep the kids entertained we got them to collect all the newspapers off the guys on the bus and rip them in little pieces which we put in plastic bags. When the team came out we all had handfuls of the papers, we shot it up in the air. It was windy and it went everywhere…….. I don’t think the groundsman was happy!! Bournemouth scored, we equalised then they went 2-1 up. Jon Daly thankfully scored with a fabulous header to get us over the line with a draw. We sang all the way home for another 8 hours. But I would do it all again to experience that again.

Unfortunately, over the years I’ve had some stuff said to me about me being a woman in a man’s world. Going to a match at Hull’s KC Stadium and their fans chanting get your t*** out for the lads. Getting told to be quiet I don’t know what I’m talking about its a man’s game.

After so many years under some really dubious owners, I’m hoping that the new owner Landon Smith will run Pools like when IOR did. Look at making the ground a better place to visit. It is looking a bit tired. I hope he will give the manager time and a budget to make a push for the top of the league next season. I hope that we have more initiatives for female supporters and maybe a women’s mental health group at the club.

I think Her Game Too is a fabulous thing. I think the fact that the lionesses have done what the men’s team haven’t been able to achieve has made a big difference. Male supporters are coming and watching the women’s game more now. I think the older male fans are starting to understand there’s a place for everyone to support the football club they love. I think having Her Game Too in the match programmes and on Facebook really puts it out there that football is for everyone.”

Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past 4 years, we are striving to improve the environment in sport for the benefit of everyone, after all football is a game for all!