Maybe you are a Pompey Women veteran supporter or you have decided to start coming to games after the success of the England team. Either way we have everything you need to know ahead of the new 2022/23 season:
Who’s in charge?
Eric Coleborn is the chairman and can be found welcoming fans at the gate to home games. Jay Sadler is the Portsmouth Women manager and has been since November 2016.
What division do they play in?
Pompey Women play in the Southern Premier Division which is Tier 3 of the women’s pyramid. There is also a Northern division.
How many get promoted and relegated?
1 up (maybe) and 2 down. To go up Pompey will need to win the Southern Division then beat the winners of the Northern division in a one off play-off game.
Do they play in any Cups?
Pompey Women compete in the League Cup or Plate (decided via a decider game). They will also play in the FA Cup, Hampshire Cup and PDFA Cup.
Where do they play their games?
Pompey Women will start their season at Havant and Waterlooville’s Westleigh park. It is a superb facility with hot food and drinks available.
There is also a stand and you can walk all around the edge of the pitch to get your perfect viewing position.
Later in the season they will move to the new John Jenkins Stadium upon its completion.
How do I get tickets?
Through the Portsmouth FC website or you can pay on the day card or cash. Season tickets are available from £39 for adults and £11 for kids.
Match day prices have yet to be announced but last season it was £7 adults and £3 juniors with discounts for Pompey or Havant men season ticket holders.
Are the teams in the league professional?
No, although some are semi-professional. There is a mix of paid and unpaid players throughout the league.
Teams tend to keep their financial business private where possible but teams such as Ipswich and Watford (along with a few others) have paid players on their books.
Do Portsmouth Women pay their players?
No, the owners made the decision not to introduce a paid player structure ahead of the 22/23 season, although manager Jay Sadler is now a full time member of staff.
Where will I find the fixtures?
They are listed on the official Portsmouth Website and also on pompeynewsnow. To say the fixtures are subject to change would be an understatement.
Fixtures change a lot at this level so they are not set in stone until even a week or two before the game.
Who are the team’s senior players?
In terms of club appearances Captain Dan Rowe (98), Sammy Quayle (91), Vice Captain Hannah Haughton (72), Jazz Younger (69), Ava Rowbotham (43) and Rosie McDonnell (44) are the senior players in the squad.
Which players left over the summer:
Hayley Bridge, Cherelle Khassal, Shannon Albuery, Tamsinde Bunsen, Evie Gane, Freya Jones and Bekah Tonks
Any new signings?
Anaisa Harney (Watford), Tierney Scott (Reading), Sophie Quirk (Charlton), Mae Goulden (Reading), Nicole Barrett (Maidenhead), Izzy Collins (Lewes), Taylor Mcdonald(Reading), Ella Wild (Reading), Georgia Jenkins (Brighton), and Leanne Bell (Watford),
The club have also confirmed Mia Adaway will be part of the squad at the start of the season having previously been at University in the USA.
Any players to watch?
With so many exciting new players coming in it would be impossible to pin that to any single player right now. However Sophie Quirk has had a particularly impressive pre-season.
If I come along what can I expect?
A welcoming, friendly atmosphere and good facilities. If you have never been to a Tier 3 Women’s football match I personally guarantee you will be surprised at how high the quality is.
It’s fantastic value for money. The players always come over and meet young fans after the game so they can get autographs and photos.
Are there any other ways you can follow the team?
The club have social media accounts including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. If you want an unofficial look at match days check out Pompey Women Vlogs on YouTube for match highlights, interviews and match reactions.
Read more from Ian Chiverton ahead of the new Pompey Women season with Talking WoSo and 1898.
[Front L-R] Anisha Hill, Tierney Scott, Hannah Haughton, Dan Rowe, Mia Adaway
Photos: Dave Haines Photography/Ian Chiverton
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