14/06/2026
Building for the Future: Why Our Ambition Needs to Match the Growth of the Women's Game
As a ground wanderer who lives for the atmosphere and the evolution of our sport, the recent news about Brighton & Hove Albion FC plans to build the first purpose-built women’s football stadium in the UK and Europe has really got me thinking.
It is a massive statement of intent. It perfectly captures that the women’s game is finally moving away from just "adapting" environments built for the men’s game and is instead creating spaces that are intentional from the very start. Seeing how the environment, the matchday experience, and the hospitality are being tailored to a broader, family-oriented audience is a brilliant step in the right direction.
However, as someone who spends my time traveling to grounds, I can’t help but feel a bit torn on the proposed capacity. While this project shows incredible ambition, there is a lingering sentiment that we are still being sold short on scale. It often feels like the powers that be assume women’s football can only draw small crowds.
If we truly want to grow and future-proof these venues, we should be looking at 20,000-seater capacities. We need to build for where the game is going, not just where it is today. Furthermore, we cannot forget our international women’s teams, they deserve stadiums that reflect their status and the massive support they bring, yet that seems to be a missing piece of the conversation.
We are heading in the right direction, but let’s make sure we are dreaming big enough to match the growth we know is coming.
12/06/2026
A Matchday to Remember at Hill Dickinson Stadium 🏴🇺🇦
It was a privilege to be on-site at the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the final group qualifier between the Lionesses and Ukraine. The anticipation was palpable as the team coaches pulled up, and the focus from both squads as they arrived set the tone for a professional and spirited encounter.
While the match ended in a comfortable 3-0 victory for England, thanks to goals from Jess Carter, Georgia Stanway, and a clinical free-kick from Beth Mead, the event was a fantastic celebration of the game, bringing fans together in Liverpool.
Below are the photos capturing the arrivals as the players stepped off the coaches and prepared for the final whistle! 📸👇
12/06/2026
She's The Ground Wanderer: A Night at Hill Dickinson Stadium 🏟️🏴
What a night at the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the final World Cup qualifier! ⚽️
England football team lionesses V Ukraine Women
Seeing every single stand packed with our incredible fans was a sight to behold. The atmosphere was electric, and it was lovely to see a pocket of Ukraine supporters in the crowd, they seemed to be having a brilliant time despite the result.
It was a special moment welcoming the Ukrainian team onto the pitch before kick-off. You couldn't help but admire how humble and genuinely happy those girls were just to be here; their spirit and persistence throughout the match were truly commendable. They never gave up, fighting until the very end.
As for our Lionesses, it was a professional, dominant performance. We controlled the game beautifully and secured a solid 3-0 win, with goals from Jess Carter, Georgia Stanway, and Beth Mead. It was also great to spot Jill Scott in the stands supporting the team! While we secured the win, it wasn’t quite enough for automatic qualification, so we’re now heading into the play-offs. Bring them on! 🦁
The Stadium Verdict:
As a Women’s Liverpool fan, walking into Everton’s new ground felt a bit... "bleh" (we’ve all been there!), but I have to be honest: it’s a fantastic stadium. The views were great, and the location is spot on. Drinks were reasonably priced, though I’d definitely suggest grabbing food elsewhere, it was a bit on the expensive side!
Overall, a top-tier venue for an international night.
08/06/2026
A Fragile Future: Why We Cannot Afford to Lose Another Club
It is absolutely devastating to read the news regarding Durham. As a ground wanderer, I know better than anyone that a football club is not just a business entity or a set of results on a table, it is the beating heart of a community, a home for supporters, and the culmination of years of hard work by players and staff.
Seeing a club like Durham, a side that has been a staple of the second tier since 2014, forced to issue an "urgent plea" for investment or face ceasing operations is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted financial fragility still plaguing our game.
We have been here before, and it never gets any easier. We cannot keep losing clubs. When we lose a club, we don't just lose a team; we lose the history, the pathways for young players, and the culture built over decades. We must remember that this isn't the first time women's football has faced an existential crisis. From 1921 to 1970, the FA banned women from playing on their affiliated grounds, forcing teams to play on small, often inadequate pitches or rugby grounds just to keep the sport alive. Even back then, clubs like the British Ladies’ Football Club, one of the pioneers of the 1890s, disbanded due to financial difficulties and a lack of support. We’ve fought for over a century to get the game to where it is today; we cannot let financial instability be the thing that forces our clubs to close their gates permanently.
The fact that talks with potential investors have fallen away and left the club in this position with only 21 days to find a lifeline is frightening. If we want this sport to grow sustainably, we must stop treating clubs as disposable assets. How many more times must we witness this cycle of uncertainty before meaningful safeguards are put in place to protect these institutions?
My thoughts are with everyone connected to Durham. We need better. The game deserves better.
06/06/2026
From the Pitch to the Try Line: A New Adventure at Headingley!
What a fantastic day out! She's The Ground Wanderer is officially ticking off new experiences, and today we found ourselves at the AMT Headingley Stadium for some top-tier rugby league action.
It was Saturday, 6 June 2026, and we were there to watch the Leeds Rhinos Women take on the York Valkyries. With the women’s football season wrapped up, we’ve decided to branch out into different sports for a while, and it was such a refreshing change of pace to dive into the world of rugby.
I have to be honest, I didn’t have a clue about the rules when we first sat down, lol! Thankfully, Dave (my hubby) was on hand to talk me through it since he used to play the game himself. Once he explained the basics, I caught on pretty quickly, and it was genuinely exciting to follow along. The final result was a fantastic 30-10 win for Leeds!
The stadium itself is massive and really impressive. I absolutely loved how it’s connected to the cricket ground; it gives the whole area such a great sporting atmosphere. It was a brilliant day out, and I would definitely head back there again. The food and drink options were reasonably priced, which is always a bonus. My only tiny bit of feedback would be that the women’s toilets didn't have any toiletries or products for monthly needs stocked in them, which is something I’ve seen at other grounds and really appreciate.
Overall, it was such a great experience. It feels brilliant to support and watch women’s rugby continue to grow, the energy in the stadium was contagious! Next week, we’re switching gears again as it’s cricket’s turn, and I honestly can’t wait.
05/06/2026
Bursting with pride for my daughter, Alice! She has officially finished her second year of Sports Science at university, and to top it off, she received the "Amazing LJMU Student" award at the LJMU Student Experience Awards!
Watching her grow and develop over these past two years has been incredible. Seeing her passion turn into such a clear path as she heads into her final year and prepares to start her career in the sports industry is just brilliant. She is yet another fantastic example of a female trailblazer ready to make her mark in the world of sport!
As someone who is a massive football ground wanderer myself, it fills my heart with joy to see her carving out her own journey in this field. I couldn't be prouder of the woman she is becoming. Keep shining, Alice Brown
08/06/2026
06/06/2026
05/06/2026