Cod Almighty | Diary

More women by all means, but must that mean Katrien Meire?

8 March 2017

Irregular Diary writes: Today is International Women’s Day. Right OK. Let’s celebrate all things women.

I'm all for a celebration but things can be taken too far. "We must have 30 per cent of top roles in sport filled by women." Why? If I was to go for a top job in football I'd want to get it on merit not a tick box exercise. Some would say the appointment of Katrien Meire is just such an appointment. But look at the mess thats going on down at Charlton Athletic. She isn't from a footballing background, and the judgements that she's been involved with call into question her football knowledge. Can we say that doesn’t matter, because she is a woman and that box must be ticked without further thought?

Other women in prominent roles in football that I can think of start and end with Karren Brady, a no-nonsense female who you'd rather have on your side then against you. Further than that, I've had to use Google and it brings up slim pickings. A sad reflection of football maybe?

While women don't have the titles, and neither get - nor often want - the credit, they play a monumental part in football

Look closer to home and the sanctuary of my beloved Grimsby Town. There is no female on the board; could the reason be because no woman has actually wanted to have a go? I look further down into the offices: women keep the men going via PA roles; women keep the ticket office going; women are running the club shop; a woman runs all the bars; the Supporters Liaison Officer is a female; the trust has a female secretary. I can state a case for this club which will be reflected in many across the country: that while women don't have the titles, and neither get - nor often want - the credit, they in fact play a monumental part in football.

I couldn't end this last-minute piece without paying due credit to fans. I’ve been a female supporter of Grimsby Town for 24 years now, some of those around me even longer. I don't walk into a match as a female or member of the lesser- represented sex; I'm simply a fan. I often sit at games, home and away, and have a look for female faces, and what I see brings a smile. This club has so many kick-ass knowledgeable women in the ranks of its supporters. Praise must go to all for creating an environment where we are thought of in no lesser terms that men.

Lastly, before we go on to bra-burning and the like, we must also give special mention to the ladies on the away supporters club' who make sure Mr Terry is organised to get people to games. And to the never-ageing Daphne who runs the Disabled Supporters Club almost single handedly, including organising fundraising.

See, you are lucky to have us really, aren’t you...
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