Fury as women's cup final gets St James' snub
Michael CookA women's football team coach has criticised the decision to host their cup final at a grassroots pitch, after the men's clash was held in the region's biggest stadium.
On Friday, Alnwick Town Ladies will play against Ponteland United Women at Croft Park in Blyth for the Northumberland Football Association (NFA) Women's Cup final - but the recent men's final was held at Newcastle's St James' Park.
Alnwick Town Ladies coach Lee Barrass said: "It's not right on any level of society, let alone sport - it's the same cup and competition."
The NFA said it "appreciated the concerns" but had to work around the requirements of venue owners when choosing a suitable stadium for its matches.
Barrass said it was a "missed opportunity" to showcase women's football and left a "dark cloud" over the upcoming match instead.
"Whether intentional or not, it sends a message to players, young girls, supporters, and future generations that the women's game is still considered secondary," he said.
He said his players had been left with "lots of questions and frustrations" which had lowered morale.
"We want the women's game to be equal to the men's game, as it should, the quality of women's football coming from the North East is fantastic now - there's a hotspot for it in this region," he said.
He also said there had been "very little to promote" the Women's Cup by the NFA, which had not given him any justification for the difference in venue.
Michael CookThe NFA said it did not operate the stadiums and had to work with the clubs that owned them.
"These clubs all have their own match requirements, particularly towards the end of the season, and we need to work around this," a spokesperson said.
"Clubs take into account the condition of their pitches and whether additional matches can be played on them."
Newcastle United, which owns St James' Park, declined to comment.
The NFA said it "appreciated the wider points about the growth, visibility, and recognition of the women's game".
"We remain committed to investing in and developing opportunities in women's football," it said.
