The Trust welcomes the news that King Power was confirmed as new Principal Partner of LCFC Women.The positive commitment from Top, King Power and Susan Whelan has been clear in recent discussions that the Trust has had with the club about the women’s game. The Trust was also pleased to see that King Power and LCFC Women are to give away grassroots packs to eligible female teams in Leicestershire & Rutland.
As a result of the partnership, the women have their own shirt this season with the King Power logo on the front and the WSL badge on the arm. A nice alternative if you don’t want the gambling sponsor on the men’s, but it’s also important that the women have their own identity whilst being part of the club. Two Teams, One Club.
Season tickets prices were released yesterday, and the Trust was pleased to see that they have been kept at the very reasonable price of £45 for the entire season to encourage increased attendances again this season. For comparison, a ticket at the men’s game for a similar seat in B2 would cost you £49 for one single game! Extra areas in the stadium have been opened up as the club pushes to greatly increase attendances for the women’s game this season.
The Trust is already talking with the club about how we can continue to grow the game this season and next, so that it becomes financially sustainable, but how we also reward loyalty for current supporters. We’re delighted with the club’s ambition to grow the game and the challenging targets being set for attendances this season.
The club hosted an enjoyable event at the King Power yesterday to promote the women’s game. It started with an exclusive Q&A session for some lucky season ticket holders with new manager Amandine Miquel. Amandine was articulate, humble, amusing and brings a CV that has supporters excited for what she may be able to do after her success in the French leagues. She’s realistic and wants to grow the club gradually but her love of offensive attacking football (“we will have to defend too… but only a bit”) was music to people’s ears. She’s already building team camaraderie having installed a games room for the team.
The Q&A was followed by the reveal in the Foxes Fanstore of the signing of class act Ruby Mace and a relaxed signing session with Amandine and several players where fans could get things signed, get selfies and ask the players questions. We’re happy that the club plan more engagement activities for women’s season ticket holders this season.
The club has invested in several signings, renewing Sophie Howard’s, Janice Cayman’s and Shannon O’Brien’s contracts to the delight of supporters. They’ve given a well-deserved professional contract for Academy graduate Denny Draper and made new signings with Asmita Ale, Chantelle Swaby and Sari Kees. The Trust will be keeping an eye on finances though as the women’s game hopefully moves towards paying for itself.
The team will be taking on Manchester City, West Ham United and Paris St Germain in the inaugural Perth International Football Cup in Australia as part of their pre-season at the end of August.
Fixtures for the WSL 2024-25 season will be announced Monday 22nd July.
The future for LCWFC is looking bright and exciting. If you have any thoughts on how the women’s game can continue to be improved and grow, please get in touch with lynn.wyeth@foxestrust.com