Happy International Women’s Day
The Fulham Supporters’ Trust wishes all of our members and the Fulham family a Happy International Women’s Day for this Sunday 8 March.
We asked Trust board member, Dr Tamara Dragadze, who is our co-lead on equality, diversity and inclusion, to tell us what IWD means to her. You might have seen Tamara featured in the Sky Sports’ We Are All Fans documentary from 2024. If you haven’t you can watch the fabulous film, featuring several superb female Fulham fans, below courtesy of Sky Sports.
Tamara said: “International Women’s Day is immensely important to me personally and I am proud of how it has grown into a global celebration of our achievements as well as a call to accelerate action on global equality.
“As a follower of women’s football while the sport was banned by the FA, the continued progress of the women’s game, with so much more girls football available in schools, is superb. As well as being a season ticket holder in row one of the Johnny Haynes’ Stand and following Marco Silva’s side across the country, I watch our wonderful women’s team home and away as much as possible. Our inspiring team are pushing for a second successive promotion and I encourage everyone to go and watch them.
I have so many female footballing heroines. One is the trailblazing Rachel Yankey, which is why presenting the Trust’s trophy named in honour of England’s first professional female footballer to Stella Gandee Morgan was so special. I’m so pleased by Stella’s progress this season at a higher level, it isn’t a surprise.
I am in awe of lifelong Fulham fan and former Fulham FC Women’s captain Mary Southgate for her efforts to get the women’s team to this point and her work as a PE teacher. It is a testament to Mary, a Hammersmith End season ticket holder since she was a child, that so many girls she has taught are playing the game along her while she shines at Ashford Town.
One of the unsung heroines is the FSA’s head of the women’s game, Deborah Dilworth, who has been a player, coach, campaigner and advocate for female fans. She continues to drive change on a national level and it is a privilege to work alongside her. I hope we can take the women’s game to the next level and I want Craven Cottage and the beautiful game to welcome everyone.
I was proud to help found the Fulham Lillies, whose vital and vibrant work on behalf of our female fans continues to thrive. Making football more accessible for female fans remains a huge focus of my work on the Trust board and I’d love more women to serve alongside my female Board colleagues Hayley Davinson and Sue Couch.”
