Powell: We want more girls playing after Euros success

Hope Powell was as proud as anyone inside Wembley Stadium when England won Euros for the first time on Sunday.

As England coach for 15 years between 1998-2003, she led them to two World Cup finals and four European Championships including a run to the final in 2009. She is credited with putting the building blocks in place which helped lead to England’s first major tournament success since 1966.

But 48 hours after celebrating along with the rest of a record 87,192 crowd it was back down to Brighton business for our women’s first-team manager.

The squad are in Germany this week in a training camp which will end on Sunday with a friendly against Bayern Munich.

It has given Powell and her management team the opportunity to run the rule over our summer signings, as preparations build towards the WSL kick-off on September 11 when we face Reading at the Amex.

“Sunday was fantastic – what an occasion. A lot of the players were there and it was just such a wonderful moment for [England coach] Sarina Wiegman and of course the players.”

And if they needed any more inspiration, there is the staggering increase in the season-ticket sales for our forthcoming WSL campaign.

Since Saturday the club have sold 646 season tickets and have so far sold 999, compared to 547 in total last season.

“That’s brilliant, and it’s the same all over the WSL. What England achieved and the success of the tournament as a whole has created a wonderful opportunity. We want more people at our matches, we want more women and girls playing, we’ve got a collective responsibility in the women’s game to make sure Sunday is just the start.

“The training camp has gone really well so far. The girls have worked extremely hard, and the new players are settling in and getting to know their new teammates. The environment is really positive and we’re looking forward to a very good week.”

Season tickets for the 2022/23 campaign are now on sale. To buy yours click here.