The Guardian's Women's Football Weekly - Manchester City do the double and Jill Scott joins the pod – Women’s Football Weekly

Episode Date: June 2, 2026

Suzy Wrack is joined by Tom Garry, Emily Keogh and Ameé Ruszkai to discuss Manchester City’s FA Cup triumph, England’s huge qualifier against Spain and Jill Scott’s epic Sport Relief challenge.

This is The Guardian. Hello, I'm Susie Rack, standing in again for Men's World Cup Bound Faye. Welcome to The Guardian Women's Football Weekly. I've just roly poleyed into the room, by the way, adding my contribution to the World Seven's walkout. Such a shame you couldn't see it, these guys all got to. Lots to discuss today. The domestic season is done. We wanted new names on some trophies just for a bit of change, and we got it.

Well, two out of three ain't bad. Are you happy? We'll be taking a look at Man City's first FA Cup win in six years and first domestic double. We'll preview the last action before the summer breakers. than travelled to New Yorker to play Spain in the Women's World Cup qualifying later this week. Then we'll check in on how the third edition of World Sevens went and hear from Lioness's legend Jill Scott on her epic sports relief challenge. All that's discussed, plus we'll take your questions and that is today's Guardian's Women's Football Weekly. Tom Gary, I'm very happy to see your face and looking forward to seeing you out in sunny Spain.

Good morning, yes. I have not roly-bollied in, but I have come in clutching a cup of tea. and that's my contribution to the walkouts this morning. And yes, very nice to see you. Looking forward to some tapas for the England and Spain game. Oh, me too. I love tapas. Emily Keo, I've got to out you. Last time I saw you was when I drove you to A&E earlier in the week

with the most impressive for broken thumbs. How is it? How are you doing? We're doing good. It's on the end. I'm going to pretend that I also potentially broke it doing gareli-poli practicing for this, but it was a lot less cool than that. Thank you for being my ambulance. It's very much appreciated. Amy Rosgai, recovered from the travel back from Wembley.

No, absolutely not. Honestly, really fed into my, I hate being down in London thing, really fed into my propaganda. I feel like it was like, do you want to prove a point about how much you hate being down here? Here you go. I had the worst year on the planet. But I didn't have a table so I couldn't open my laptop to do any work. so I had to watch the tennis all the way back. And I was like, this is at least a silver lining, isn't it? See, our parades didn't rain on your parade that badly. It's all good. Should see me yesterday morning.

I was exhausted. I was like, I can't believe this has happened. We just can't help it if London is literally red. Back to women's football. Before we head into our busy, busy agenda for the day, we have to talk about the big news that was announced last night. Katie McCabe has signed a three-year contract with Chelsea. such a huge move to a big rival after her Arsenal exit was announced last month.

What do you all make of it? Who wants to jump in on this first? Tom? Well, first and foremost, if we take away the banter between Arsenal and Chelsea fans, which is a really good left back. It's quite a good signing for Chelsea. Our understanding is that actually Sonia Bonpastas conversations with McCabe has really helped swing this. So fair play to Bonpastor for being very kind of positive and helping to make that happen because I think there could be a lot of other coaches

might have heard a bit of bitterness after the old the old hair pool debate in the Champions League final, but Chelsea recognises someone they really wanted to sign and Sonia's personal touch, I think, with those conversations, has really helped to persuade her that it's the place to be. And I think she's still got several years left to offer at the top, so Chelsea will be quite happy.

I'm really curious now to see where she fits in, if there are at times when they're playing a five at the back, are they going to go with a, Baltimore at the wing back role or McCabe now, or is this a sign that they're going to stick to them or four at the back with McCabe as the prime left back? That side of it's really interesting, but they probably widened their tactical possibilities now with this move. And yeah, good luck to her. She won everything at Arsenal, didn't she? I think she genuinely won every trophy that was physically possible to win. So couldn't have done more for Arsenal in that

regard. And what's the first Arsenal Chelsea game going to be like now, right? Are the Arsenal fans going are some going to applaud? Are some going to boo? I can't see. You know, she's gone to a rival. That's just, you're going to have to just accept that. But nobody is thicker-skinned enough to deal with that than Katie McCabe in this league. So I'm sure she'll be absolutely fine. Anyone else like to jump in? I was going to say, I think Tom hit the nail on the head there with the versatility. Like, that's what you're getting with a player like Katie McCabe. And that's exactly why they've offered a such a long deal. And I think, especially when you're 30, there's a sort of idea that

you potentially come into the end of your. a career and you are in a way, but you look at sort of like Kim Little. And I think a three-year deal with an option of an extra is a really, it's such a big thing at 30 years old. But I think that shows exactly what Katie still got left and what Chelsea see in her. So yes, it's a move that's not going to go down well with fans, but I think she is still an incredible player regardless of anything. And do you know what? I think it's one of those things like that hairpool was controversial. It was bad. But that's the passion that she gives the team. And I think if you're looking to really kick on, like Chelsea are in the Champions League,

someone that's willing to go the extra mile for a club, maybe not always get it so right. You look at Aaron Cuthbert's a very similar player who will always put everything on the line. Those are the sort of players you want in your team. So it makes a lot of sense as to why Chelsea have gone in for her. Yeah, I as an Arsenal fan have quite enjoyed the banter and the chaos online following the announcement.

I find it both amusing, but also I just don't mind particularly. that she's gone to Chelsea. I think fair play to her, fair play to Chelsea if you're going in big for her. I think Arsenal dropped the ball on this one personally and should have gone all out to keep her much earlier than they did. And I think that's sort of on the club to own and the desire to lower the age profile of the team as almost like a blanket rule has cost them in this instance and that's something that they're going to have to reflect on. That makes it really interesting for me personally. But yeah, it's going to be an interesting first match. That's for sure. I won't be booing. I mean, I can't in a press box, but I won't be booing. Right, let's go on to

the FA Cup final. Man City are double winners. They beat Brighton 4-0 to lift the FA Cup at Wembley on Sunday afternoon. Bunny, sure opened the scoring before Alex Greenwood added another just before the break. Iober Fogino and Viviana Medema came off the bench to make it a comfortable victory for Andre Yegelers' side in the end. Tom, it was a convincing win in the end. How was Wembley? And where was the match won and lost? I was won with Manchester City's roofless finishing in the box, wasn't it? Brighton, I actually thought, played really well for large parts. If you watch the first 30 to 35 minutes of that match, and then you didn't see the rest of it, and then you've woken up the next day to see Manc City 1-4-0, you're probably

wondering what on earth happened, because Brighton were by far the better team in the first sort of 30 minutes or so, but they didn't take their chances, and then Manchester City did. So a fairly brutal lesson for Brighton in the importance of taking your chances in those big games, and we saw Alex Greenwood put in a great performance, deservedly chosen as a player of the match, I thought, not only with the goal line clearance early on, but with the cross for the opener for Bunny Shore and with her brilliant free kick.

So she lifts the cup as captain. So they hadn't won the cup you mentioned earlier for six years. They hadn't won it in front of fans for seven years because it was COVID last time. They won it. And the first sort of WSL and FA Cup double for them. So they're rightly going to be thrilled with that season. And as for Brighton, I just felt,

that they were a team who look really well coached and look they know what they're doing, they just need a number nine. So they obviously had the unfortunate injury to Michelle Aegeman, didn't they earlier in the season, which could have made a massive difference to their campaign. They didn't score very many league goals. They played very, very well since March

in the league and the Cup. And this was just a game where perhaps the importance of having a top level number nine, like Bunny Shore, which I'm sure everybody would love to have and not everyone can have, was really exemplified at Wembley. Completely. We've talked a lot about this Manchester City side this season,

but a double trophy win deserves all the applauded, doesn't it, Emily? Yeah, and I think it's reflective of how well they've been, how well they've played this season. They have, by a country male, been the best team in the league, and deservedly so now getting the double. I think, you know, you look at other teams that have sort of dropped off. They've just kept going in, yes, there's no European football, but this team is a very, very good team.

And the club did really well in the summer when they brought in Andre to bring in a host of players as well. well, they'd add injury issues and this has just been a really good season for them and I think they definitely deserved it. Like Tom said, yeah, Brighton played really well that first 30 minutes, but I think that's a difference between a team like Brighton and a team like Manchester City is that when they then got their first rule to answer the game, they buried it and were one-nil up. And I think that's probably what Brighton are going to look to try and replicate in the season is just being able to take those chances because especially with how that first half went,

if you're on Man City, you're thinking we're not going to get a lot of these chances. You know, they were being stopped from being hitting them on the break. They were really forcing them into tight spaces and losing possession. And I must have said sort of in the team like, right, what do we do? We just have to take chances. And that's probably the maturity that comes with being in these games, being in these finals. Obviously, it was Brighton's first one. So these will come with time.

But like Tom said, it's really good foundations. And they're a really good team. It's just Man City are a better team at the minute. And we've already mentioned the impact of Bunny Shaw. she's been talked about a lot in recent weeks, a goal and assist, winning the free kick for City second. Was this a performance that demonstrated just why City pulled all the strings in the end to get her to stay, Amy?

Yeah, absolutely. I thought her assist for the third goal, the work that she did for that goal was fantastic. Because I think we all talk about what good goal scorer she is, don't we? And I think when you talk to City players, they like to talk about other things. They like to talk about how she presses from the front and how often she'll pop up in her own box to clear like across.

She's obviously an amazing goal scorer, but she does so many other things. And I would have been such a blow if it had a loss of this summer. It would have almost like undone the work of this season. It was almost like, you know, in the men's league in France when a team other than PSG wins the league. And then you're like, oh, that's interesting. And then they lose like all their players. And I know it would just be one player, but it would almost be like, oh, well, that was just sort of like,

now you can't replicate that because you've lost somebody so important. That would almost be like how I'd have felt, which maybe is a bit unfair to the team that they've built, but I think she's so good and so important that you take her out of that team. And it's sort of like you've lost, you know, one of the best strikers in the world, if not the best striker in the world. That's hard to replicate. So, yeah, I mean, it's massive that they kept hold of her,

not just for them, but to not give her to a rival. I think everybody, even people that casually follow women's football, was sort of like, hang on a minute, when, you know, before the contractor come through, like, you're going to let her go and she's going to go to her rival. It would have been crazy. So, yeah, I mean, it was absolutely necessary that they did it. And there's no, like, paying over the odds for a player like that, like, she's worth every single penny of it.

100%. I mean, it would be the Katie McCabe reaction on an even greater scale, right? Like the player of that quality, team of the season worthy, moving on to arrival, big, big deal, big, big loss. City were also able to look to their bench in this game, bringing on Fugino and Mirdemar, who both came on and scored. Has squad building been one of their underrated success stories of the season, Tom? Is it now the biggest difference between the top sides and the rest of the WSL, do you think?

I certainly think in the forward line, that's true, Suze. I think there's still a little bit of squad building to do at the back beyond the starting four who've all played really, really well. but I think that's the next challenge for them is to bolster those defensive ranks for a European push. But in terms of the front four and the front six overall, they're stacked. And Meademar coming off the bench, I thought she played brilliantly. She brought in the class and the quality they've been missing earlier on. And it was a deserved goal for her as well.

But just generally the way she helped them just really take hold of the second half. She's obviously had a lot of time off for compassionate leave and we send her and her family, the very best of wishes, of course. I wasn't sure how Fitch, Matt Sharp she was going to be, how Matt Fitchie was going to be, and as it turned out, she was excellent. So she's really, really delivered. But not just me tomorrow.

You mentioned that Fagena would come off the bench as well. Like, Mary Fowler, it's such a strong attacking bench. So you know that if you're trying to beat this Manchester City team, you almost need to be at least one or two goals up before they come to the bench in the final half an hour. Otherwise, you've left it too late. Like they're going to have options. And the one thing they probably do now need in the nine, I would say, is an understudy to Bunny Shore.

They've relied on her a lot this season. She's played so much football. If I was slightly better professional, I would have brought the stat because I knew the stat a few days ago of how many 90 minutes she's had to play. She's played a lot of minutes. And I think it would be prudent of them in the market to sign someone an up and coming number nine, shall we say, who can give short a rest every now and then and be there just in case something unwanted were to happen. But that aside, like you alluded to,

this is a really, really, really strong squad. So strong and averse major final defeat for Brighton off the back of it. They showed plenty of promise despite that. Manager Daria Vidasic said, as much as we'll be disappointed, I feel the result is a little bit unfair on the girls for the way they performed. It wasn't that long ago

where we were probably fighting to get five minutes of dominance, against a Man City team to do what we've done at Wembley for the first time. It was a brave way to play. What does this season say about the direction of the club under him, Emily? I think the foundations are really, really strong. Like, this is a really good team. Like Tom said, they're really well coached. Darren knows what he wants and the communication between what the way they want to play

and what they're executing is really clear. You knew exactly what the game plan was in those first 30 minutes. I do think, you know, Barr, you know, Kirby, Kankovic, I don't know how many other of those players have been in a situation like being at Wembley in an FAC Cup final. And that is a whole thing in itself to try and handle being on that stage, being at the pitch, being there for the occasion. Mentally, that's just another thing to overcome.

You look at sort of Manor Knight's first time and they went to the FACA final spurses. It's really hard to be in that situation and still play the football you want to play. And so I think it's one of those that they handled it really well, but they just, I don't saying to Sof Downey actually was set next to each other, how long can they keep this up for? Because they started really well. But like you say, you know, masses, you have incredible options off the bench. Brightons probably aren't so they've got a lot of young players that are sort of coming through, really good players. But when you look at that experience, that ability like Medamar just to come straight into a game in that way, they probably lack a little bit of that.

And so it's a really good building point for them. And it's now trying to turn this cup run into something a bit more of the norm for them because, you know, we talk about the importance of cup runs for the team that isn't in Europe, but equally the teams that can't win the WSL or sort of aren't anywhere near that top three, these are just as important. And I'm also interested with the potential changes to the League Cup and not having those European sides in there, how much more does that open up for these teams to have a really good cup run, get a bit of where are they on? And maybe we start seeing it that we're seeing similar teams in the League Cup final and the FA Cup final in the next few years. So,

Like I said, foundations are really solid and it's just now building on that, getting them a bit more time, a few more players. It's a really strong, strong base. And yeah, I agree with Dario that it was an unfortunate way to end the game with how they played. But that's just football at the end of the day. There's a lot to be said for some of those young players and less experienced players getting that chance on the bigger stage, right? That time stepping out at Wembley will have an incredible impact on them moving forward to. In contrast to City's depth, Brighton have a much smaller squad as well and have had to operate without and out and out strikers

as we pointed out for the best part of a season. What do they need to do in the summer to make sure this final isn't just a one off, Amy? I think more of what they've been doing, to be honest. If you look at the Arsenal game and they drew the one that handed City the title and how much they rotated, you watch that game and you don't look at the team sheet, you think that that's Brighton's starting 11 because the fluidity and kind of like the way that they still embodied the same style as what the kind of more regular players have been showing all season.

Like, they've recruited really well in terms of everybody fits what Dario wants in terms of style and like the roles that they play and they understand it and like they're kind of on board with it and they're dedicated to it. And I think that's really good sign. And I think if they just kind of keep progressing in that way and keep making those sort of signings and I think as well get into like a cup final like this, that's something that they can show in the some of window and be like, look, we're on to something here, and that's probably going to attract like another little calibre of player.

And, you know, you've got people like Fran there, and that's going to be attracted to other people, like, oh, I get to play with Frank Kirby or, you know, if it's somebody that's kind of got that experience, is maybe looking for a new challenge towards that part of the career. Look at what Fran's doing. So I think it's just more of the same. Obviously, a number nine would be the kind of focal point,

because we've just talked about, I mean, they needed to score in that half an hour period at the start of the game to make, like, because it felt like that at the time they've got to score, they got to make it's worth it, but they just didn't have the nine. So they definitely need that. But, yeah, I think just adding more around it, I think we've seen some players,

Fouca Sonoda, who was the best player in that, Arsenal draw hadn't really played this season, came in and showed what you can do. And I think there are players like that in the squad that next season will have that kind of like step up and probably have a greater role. So I think they're completely on the right track. It is just a case of time, really,

when it comes to these sort of things because that gap between the big four, quote, unquote, and the rest is so big. So just got to keep at it, really. 100%. It's always difficult to judge how it will go when a new team reaches Wembley for the first time, but the Brighton Sport has turned out in their numbers.

My aunt was there, and there was a touching tribute to the late Rado Vidasic with a big Titho ahead of a kickoff. Does this show that there's a growing connection between the fan base and their team, Tom? felt for large parts of the morning and early afternoon as though the Brighton fans were in the significant majority at Wembley and outside the stadium actually.

I thought they created a good atmosphere in the ground early on as well. It was a beautiful tribute to Rado, who I think was genuinely really in the hearts and minds of everyone in the club all through the cup run and then on the day itself. We were lucky enough to talk to Dario before the match for an interview and he spoke very movingly about the way that his father heard,

taught him lessons right up and to his laugh breath, sort of never, ever giving in and never, ever, never giving up. And I think it's worth for remembering how influential Rado Videsich has been on football in Australia, particularly, coaching so many of their best men's and women's footballers over a long period of time and being a very successful assistant coach to Antipostoklou when they had great success as well. And then, of course, coming here and being part of the coaching staff of Brighton and helping influence the, playing style they've had here. So sorely missed by everyone involved there. But as well as that emotional connection, yes, you're right. The fans are building something slowly at Brighton. It's not been easy to go up to Crawley for the home games. We know now the exciting news that they are going to have their own women's team designed specific stadium in Brighton, which is fantastic. Clearly a little while away yet, but I think that will only help to keep building something for them. And yeah, As Emily alluded to in one of her answers about the League Cup, you know, maybe next season that's a huge chance for them to win a first piece of major silverware.

And I'm looking forward to seeing how they can continue to grow. 100%. It's going to be an interesting journey. That's it for part one of the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. In part two, we'll take a look ahead to yet another encounter between England and Spain and chat to Jill Scott about her comic relief challenge. Welcome back to part two of the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. With the domestic campaign complete, attention now turns to the final international break of the campaign,

where there is a lot at stake as World Cup qualifying for European teams comes to a close. The England v Spain rivalry is set for another chapter as the lioness has travelled to Miyorka on Friday, knowing that just a point will secure them an automatic spot at next year's World Cup in Brazil. Another compelling encounter heads between the two, Tom. England's got the better of Spain at Wembley and April and remain the only team in qualifying to have 100% win rate. how confident will they be going into this one? They have very good reasons to go there and be confident because of how well they played in the encounter at Wembley.

I think this is still the toughest game in international women's football to go away to play Spain. I still think that is by far the hardest fixture you can have. So, you know, we should not be coming in here, slamming England if they go and lose on Friday night. I think losing there is the path of the course, actually. These are the world champions and still the best technical team in the world. We have difficult news for England this weekend that we don't, with a big question mark about Lauren James' fitness, we don't know how she's doing after picking up a knock at World Sevens.

There's no Leah Williamson, of course, we've learned in the last 24 hours for this one. So not going to be an easy thing for England at all to go there. There will be some players that will be tired after the Cup final exploits. It's not easy. It's been a long, long season. And we've seen before, haven't we, Susie, that for all countries, the June international window matches have sometimes been a struggle. They've sometimes been a lot of the lethargic people out there tired after a grueling season.

That said, I fancy them to Nick a point. I really fancy them to Nick a point. And I think that would be such a good achievement to go and qualify ultimately above Spain in the group. So looking forward to it immensely, the two best teams in Europe having another go at it. And yeah, it should be really good. But got to watch out for Spain because they're so strong, aren't they? They're so good on the ball.

And what do you guys think? I'm looking forward to it so much. Having watched the Women's Champions League final and, you know, the way Barcelona's players are able to turn it on, even when the game isn't necessarily. necessarily sort of totally going their way in the way that they want. You know, even if England have a really strong game, you know that any one of those players can step up in that moment and deliver something, right? So it's going to be a really, really big ask.

You mentioned Tom that Serena Vigman's main concern is potentially in defence with Leah Williamson having to withdraw with a hamstring injury, which, you know, if she'd been on the same open top bus as Ben White, I probably would have said would be his fault. How worried should she be not to have a campaign? captain for this really significant fixture, Emily. As a player, obviously, we know how good Leah is, but I think England have learned how to cover her absence on the pitch.

I think they've figured out in a way who they would have as their centreback pairing without her. Obviously, I know Serena's rotated a fair bit, trying to find a good partnership when Leah's not been available. But over the past year and then going back to sort of 2023, 24, Leah wasn't available for the England team. So with her injuries, the team have probably figured out a way to minimize the impact of her not being on the pitch has on that squad. But I think not having her as a captain in the dressing room on a really big game like this is probably a bigger miss than having her on the pitch.

And that's not to knock the quality that she has, but that's to knock that sort of presence and that leadership that she brings to this team. And we've seen what she's done with the Euro's titles. You know, she is an incredible leader. And especially in a game like this, when there's automatic qualification on the last. it's against Spain. You want all of your leaders. You want everyone together sort of on the same page. And she's one of the players that Serena would have looked to to really make sure that,

one, the players are okay. They understand what they need to do. That they're sort of being able to manage that moment of the occasion, sort of all into the similar thing with the FA Cup, sort of managing the occasion versus the game. And she's obviously not going to be there to do that. And obviously with no Millie Bright having retired last year, I think they probably is a lack of a couple of leaders in there.

that team. And that's probably a slightly bigger concern for Serena ahead of these games than her not being available on the pitch because she hasn't really been available much of this season, really. So I think in terms of figuring out a partnership, we probably see someone, a partnership that we've seen before this season. But yeah, I think it's going to be a big mischief just not having her around the squad in the build-up to these two games. And obviously, the main change for Spain is the return of Itanabon Matty, just a little one from injury. How much of a boost will that give them, Amy? They know they must win both of their final fixtures if they want to pip England and qualify automatically?

Yeah, it'd be interesting to see what's been doing with Bonniter because I know that obviously Barcelona, and she came back about a month ago, but she didn't start the Champions League final. It's kind of like a really slow, which is understandable really. You spent that much time on the sidelines. You don't want to do any, like, real damage. But yeah, be interested to see how fit she is, like how much they use her in this game. I'm really interested to see how England approach it, really, when we talk about they just need a point. but obviously if you go there and you try and settle for a point like we just talked about how good this Spain team

and all the players they've got that can hurt you then maybe you kind of shoot yourself in the foot a little bit you concede and then suddenly you have to change all your game plan but they've got to find that right balance of trying to nick a win so that they kind of aren't to set back if Spain do score I think it's such a fascinating game because of that kind of what both teams need and yeah, I mean, Spain will be so desperate to win considering, you know, the defeat of Wembley

and probably still a little bit hurt from the defeating the Euros last summer as well. So honestly, I think it's such a fascinating game just from a how do you set up, how do you approach it? And as the kind of goals go in, assuming goals do go in, like how do you adjust and how does that change? And yeah, I think it's going to be one of those that's just really, you know, when it's such a high-quality game and it's really tense and it's sort of like maybe it's nil-nil, you like this is such a great high quality like interesting game like tom said i think to to lose would be no disgrace and no sort of like slamming england but if they do lose they've got to keep it kind of tight anyway you know if you talk about that gold difference and things like that so there's so many factors in it and make it so fascinating the expectations are high i hope it delivers

elsewhere wales play montenegro and cheshire and scotland have a double header against israel Northern Ireland faced Turkey and Switzerland too. They were all in League B, so jostling for that best position ahead of the playoffs. World Sevens, the latest edition took place in London last week, starring an all WSL cast. There were Oscar worthy walkouts, goals galore in the Sevenerside tournament as Chelsea got their hand on the trophy. You were in Brentford all week, Tom.

What did you make of the occasion? I genuinely think this was the perfect antidote to how serious. modern football has become. I loved it. It was great fun. The players were really, really enjoying themselves. You could see that all the way through. The fans were loving it too. And we saw some very entertaining football. We saw so many goals. We saw players like Melvin Mallard really thrive in the 7Ve 7th format. Jess Park. Ague Biver Jones was in electric form genuinely brilliant. We saw some young players given a chance by Spurs and Chelsea. We saw the walkouts that you mentioned, which were quite hideously ridiculous at times,

but also random and wonderful and hilarious. It was entertainment in its purest form. And I think for that reason, it will continue to be a success. The downside, which could happen, this could happen anywhere. This could happen in training. We did see the sad news of an ACL in. injury suffered by Tiva Hansen, who was playing really well. And that's awful news for her.

We've seen Falunellus Joyce just have to put out the US women's national team camp for this week and their matches with an injury. She picked up. LJ's got a knot for England, we know. So there might be a few international managers who are disappointed. You're taking that risk any time. You play sport, I suppose, sadly. And as a product, I do think the women's games on to something quite special here.

The viral clips and a walkout have done probably wonders for the broadcasters who got the rights. But separately to that, the fans who were there saw up close and personal their stars playing some great fun football, like stepovers, backflip, like just, oh, it was, and the players were loving it. So I think it will continue to grow and looking forward to seeing where it goes next. Last item on our agenda before any other business is the comic relief is back with a sports relief challenge. This year, formal I-Ness Jill Scott is cycling and running from Wembley to Sunderland via all the key clubs that she's played at and various community clubs and groups. And Faye and I caught up with Jill to talk about the challenge. Absolutely delighted that we've got Jill Scott on the podcast with us today.

Rival podcast hosts normally, but we love your pod. So I think we make an exception for you, don't we, Susie? Always, always. Only for Jill, though. How are you, Jill? Yeah, I'm all good, thank you. Yes, all good. And keep up the good work with the podcast as well.

Oh, thank you. Likewise with yours, it's such great fun, you and Karen Carney. Listen, the reason you're with us, and we're lucky to have you with us, is that you're announcing about this epic 400-mile cycle and marathon challenge for sports. relief. You must be absolutely shattered. How's it going? Yeah, well, I've been doing a bit of training in the past couple of months, but you'll know, I think sometimes trying to fit in training with work and stuff like that, it can get quite difficult. But yeah, as soon as sport relief asters, I felt honoured really. Obviously, the main thing is that we're going to try and raise as much money

for sport relief as possible. So I think my answer was going to be yes. And then I've seen the challenge. I was like 400 miles, Wembley Stadium to Sunderland. I was like, in a car? They're like, no, it's going to be running and cycling. So, yeah, I think the first day we're doing 120 miles. So basically it'll stop at all the clubs that I've played for. So it'll go Wembley to Villa and then we will cycle to Everton, then run 37 miles to Man City, and then cycle 100 miles

and then do a marathon to end with to Sunderland. So hopefully I make it. Oh my God. With any stopping in between? Or is it like solid 37 miles running? Yeah, I think I'll be able to take breaks, but I need to try and get through as much as possible. But you know what?

I think sometimes people look at it and they think, well, you've been an athlete. But as a footballer, if we ever did like, so say, for example, I had to do a top-up session in the week, you would usually go out and do like a 5K run. And this was going back there. then I could probably do it in 20 minutes. I couldn't do that now.

But I've never really ran long distances, you know, in terms of like going out for a long run because we're football training. So I've had to really try and kind of like build that up and now I'm carrying a few old football injuries. So it's been quite difficult. You've got a background of it though, haven't you? When you were a kid, you did it a long distance running.

Do you think you've still got it in you? But even then when I speak about doing running, when I was younger, you only ever ran 1,500 metres. That was my race. And people go, well, you won the London-London mini-marathon, but I think it was like three miles. So this is just a completely different world. So, yeah, I think it's going to be one of them,

just try and get myself fit, and then it's just going to be mentality. But since retiring four years ago, I've never got myself in, like, a good routine neither. Like, I'll speak to say Ellen White, Steph Horton, Izzy Christensen, and they're still like probably train every single week, whereas I was just like, oh, I'll have a bit of time off. And people would go, yeah, but you deserve it.

You know, you had a long career and I'm like, I can't say that four years later. I don't deserve it, four years later. Do you know what, though? I think you've been pretty busy. You've had quite a lot on your plate. We've seen you on the telebox quite a lot and so much going on as well with your business. You mentioned some of the clubs that you're kind of stopping off at, Villa, Everton, Man City, Sunderland, of course, where it all started.

Does it feel exciting to be going down a kind of memory lane trip, if you like? Yeah, it really does. It really does. Like each of them clubs mean so much to me. Even like my, I only had five months at filler, but without that five months of filler, I would never have made that Euro squad. So I owe them so much. I really do. And they looked after us really well as well.

And I think sometimes people see these amazing stadiums, these amazing clubs, and they just think that's how it's always been. And obviously, you know more than anyone. Like, that's not how it started. And I think back to being a young girl, and I think about all the people I had to rely on, like, just a coach I could trust when I was, like, nine years old, a teacher. And I really had a sense of community up in Sunderland.

And as a young girl, it gives us a sense of belonging. And there's just so many kids out there that don't have that start in life and they feel lonely, they feel disconnected. And I think back, and I just want to use this challenge to say a massive thank you to the community that kind of got me through my journey and got me to live out my wildest dreams. And I would like every child to be given that opportunity.

And I recently went and visited a community hub that was right next to my mom's house. It's called SNIP. I've ordered down. Southwick Neighborhood Youth Project, just so I got it right. And basically the work they do, they have like 50 kids playing football on a night.

And when the kids go, where the family come and they get food and stuff like that. And you just don't even know that. There's so many people that are struggling to put food on the table for the family. So sport relief really help with that. And as I say, that's the main reason I'm doing this. Yeah, okay, I might be in pain for five days.

But if we can help families, help young kids, it'll mean the world. It's a beautiful thing. And obviously one of the stops is the Joy Stadium back at City. You were part of the city side that lifted the first WSL title for the club in 2016, wasn't it? So it's been 10-year wait for the second. How impressed were you with the way City have done it this season? I mean, I'm sure like many of us, you didn't think it would take that long to get that second.

No, I didn't at all. and I feel like the girls have deserved that title in terms of, I think they've been really consistent with the way that they've played over the years but just haven't been able to get it over the line. But, you know, just so happy for them, like seeing Alex Greenwood, Bunny Shaw, Lauren Hemp, obviously Coomsey's retiring as well.

We had her on our podcast recently and I was like, how old are you? I still think she's like 25. But yeah, 10 years later they get that trophy. I think it's thoroughly deserved. And yeah, just so happy for them. And you know what? It's mad how things happen in your life

because they probably didn't think they were going to win it watching the Arsenal game, you know, when they all went and watched the Arsenal game. And ironically, so it was 10 years later, that night that they won it, me and Steph Horton was at a Neo concert. And she was like, Citi's just won the league. And I was like, I hadn't seen her for a few months.

And I was like, how mad? that we're here, like next door of the Yeti had, at this moment, exactly 10 years later. So, yeah, we're just absolutely buzzing for them. And I know Steph's obviously very heavily involved with Manchester City. And, yeah, just so, so happy and very well deserved. And when this comes out, we're going to be a few days out from England's Critical World Cup Qualifying group game, tongue twister, against Spain. Do you think they've got what it takes to get a result in New Yorker away from home and get that

top spot in the group? Yeah, I definitely do. I was really impressed with them in the previous fixture. But yeah, I think they just seem to be going from strength to strength. And you know, when you look at the squad, I think the squad has just been announced, hasn't it? I know this might not go out in the same time. But you look at the names and the squad, you speak about squad depth. It's just, it's just amazing. And Serene is so good as well about like kind of bringing the younger players through as well and she just gets her. I can't speak highly enough of her. I think that is one of the main things like she just gets it and she seems to get it right every single time. So yeah, I definitely do think that they can and yeah, how exciting that is going to, I'm going to say

they're going to be at the World Cup next year, aren't there? Well, it's vital, isn't it, that they avoid that extra round of playoffs, that's for sure. But you mentioned some of the new players coming in and, you know, you mentioned some of the new players coming in. It has been really exciting, watching the next generation, starting to get their chance. What have you made of their progress so far and the future going into the World Cup? Yeah, no, I think it's great. I think sometimes as a younger player, I think people used to say to me when I was younger, I think I made my debut 2006 and then I got thrown into the World Cup 2007.

Was I ready? Probably not. suddenly I've got like four caps to my name I'm playing against Burger Prince Garrafakers, Carly Lloyd like all these amazing players but you know what it was so difficult but suddenly I was like right this is the level this is how hard

I have to work to stay at this level and I think you've seen that if you look at players who are now kind of well cemented in that squad like you're Lauren James even like a young Georgia Stanway they probably got thrown in a little little bit, but I think suddenly they realised that was the level and now you see them

performing week in, week out. And sometimes with anything, it doesn't have to be sport, doesn't have to be football. Sometimes you just need an opportunity. And yeah, as I say, I think Serena does get it right. She's not afraid to give opportunity. And that's why you see kind of these younger players then fly in later down the line. That opportunity starts at the absolute bottom, doesn't it? and obviously we know there's an explosion of if girls interested in football after the Euro rose in 22, again last summer after 25, you're stopping at Bishop Auckland

before you head on to Stadium O'Light. Why was it important to incorporate the grassroots game into sort of your journey up the country? Yeah, I think just going back to kind of where it all started, I absolutely loved grassroots football and there'll be a video coming out and featured in it is my first coach from a girls team, Paul Smith. He was at Bolden Girls.

He's still there now, volunteered for the last 40 years at this team. My member turned up at this grassroots team. I'd just been told I couldn't play with the boys anymore. I was nine years old. I was in tears. I found him. I found this team. And honestly, it's still the best memories of my life.

We used to travel around England, would play different grassroots teams. And I even bumped into someone the other day. I was shopping. And she was like, do you remember me? And I was like, no. And she was like, you used to kick me so much when I played for Cader. And it was, it was Baldwin Girls versus Cader was like the biggest game ever. And I still remember it now.

And when he turned up the other day, he brought this scrapbook with him. And he's collected these photos off over the years. And it was funny how some things never changed because it was Jill Scott, age nine, yellow card for aggressive tackle. in the middle of the pitch. And I think a little bit of dissent, which I fast forward to 2022 on the pitch at Wembley. And I was like, maybe that was just in us from a young kid. But you know what?

Without their memories, without them times. Like that was when I fell in love with football. I really did. And that's when I realised I want to do this forever. So them stops are going to be so, so important. So special. And obviously, you know, the influence. that you're going to have doing this incredible challenge is going to be immense.

What are you hoping to achieve during this 400 miles and tell people how they can donate? Yeah, so obviously the biggest thing is just raise as much money as possible. And I don't mean people have to donate massive sums of money, just anything that they can afford. If it's five pounds, you can provide hot meal for a child. if it's, say, 15 pounds, I think that kind of gives a child, like a one-on-one kind of mentor, which is so important nowadays. You can donate through sport relief, but as I say, just anything that people can donate,

it really, really will make a difference. So, yeah, I think they're going to have a few of maybe my former teammates along the way popping up, and I've relied on them for so many years when I played football being part of a team. You never do anything on your own. and I'm certainly not going to get through this on my own. So, yeah, hopefully you'll see a few faces that you recognise. And yeah, just if anybody can give any support, I promise I'll give 100% of this challenge and hopefully we can just give back to all the communities

that have helped us on our journeys and hopefully can help generations for years to come. I've never known you give anything less than 100%, you know. Listen, I can't wait to see you do it. And good luck with the training as well, because I know I'm sure that is absolutely wiping you out before you even start the challenge itself. It's been so lovely to have you on. And we'll be following you across the country. And thanks both of you as well. Keep up the great work in women's football because I am always following you. And I know same for you's in the beginning. It was difficult. And I think you've always done

women's football proud. So keep up the good work. Finally, there was some really disappointing news coming out of Plymouth, Argyle on Sunday, with it being revealed that the club has told nearly all their women's first team players that their contracts will not be renewed for the next season. This follows on from the recent departure of Marie Hurahan as head coach, a statement released by the players read, following the decision from the board to significantly reduce the team's budget, and the understandable resignation of our manager,

nearly all players have been informed via email from the club that they will be released at the end of our contracts next month. The decision was communicated through a cold and personal email providing us with no opportunity for open, honest or meaningful dialogue and preventing us from gaining clarity on the situation. We feel the staff and players who have given everything for the badge this season should have been treated with greater care, respects and empathy. Last night, the club also released a statement. The football club has had to make some very tough decisions regarding the Argyle Women's team and we would like to clarify the situation. We recognise the concerns regarding the way the news was communicated internally and externally and will review this. We remain committed to women's football

and we will work on and share our vision for the next season and beyond in the coming weeks as we prepare for another season of FANL Southern Premier Division Football. After a lengthy thorough review, we made the decision that from next season we would need to change our approach as regards to the women's team set up. Last season, to get to a cup final and to a playoff game

was a superb achievement, but it came at a cost, a higher financial cost than we had previously fought. How did we achieve promotion to the WSL2 and with a great deal of central funding to assist us? We would have been able to continue our backing at similar levels. Tom, you've been involved in this story and covering it. What can you tell us? How many times have we seen clubs who are maybe cutting back a little bit

on how much they're spending, do so on the women's team in a far more damaging way than what we see to their men's team? We've seen it so many times historically. The other interesting talking point here, I think, which will maybe become more of a talking point over the summer and next season, is I believe there are quite a lot of clubs in the third tier. who are finding the financial situation in that division a big challenge, not least because there is next to no central income for playing in the Women's National League,

but yet you're being asked to essentially fund quite close to sort of full-time environments to get to have a chance of promotion. Burnley went up this year playing full-time football. For example, Portsmouth who've come down have said they're going to carry on in the full-time model. So if you want to compete with that, you're being asked to spend several hundreds of thousands of pounds as a loss, if you could call it that. And equally the financial prize of promotion to WSL2 is also not life changing either in terms of the money coming in from WSL2. So that's going to be a challenge.

I don't think for them if they're going to be the last club to do this. But what needs reiterating is that the way the players were communicated with and the way they were treated, I think is really poor. So I hope that all of them are able to find new teams now at short notice and generally wish them all really, well for the summer because no one deserves to find out via an email like that that you're leaving the club. A sober and cold shower to the end of the season puts it all in context a little bit. But another great season, it's been overall. Tom, I look forward to seeing you really bleary-eyed after the earliest of flights out in Mallorca. See you then, my friend. See you then. Emily, hope you have to not do any writing for the next couple of weeks as you recover that fun.

Yeah, no, not a lot on my agenda for the next couple of weeks. I won't be doing the England Cup, unfortunately, but I will be on a hendoo. So we'll see, we'll see how that goes. But yeah, thanks having me back on. That feels like an absolute recipe for disaster. But yeah, we'll check in and find out just how that went. Amy, hope you have a good week, a good day. What have you got planned?

Nothing. I've got to go, pick my car up from the garage. I've got to do some work and then put my car up in the garage. So what a glorious check. Make sure it's not going to rain, you know. That's what I've got on my agenda today. And I've got to take my car into the garage. So, you know, we're doing a nice little swap over.

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