https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/five-members-of-hayes-coaching-staff-to-depart

Chelsea can confirm five members of the women’s team coaching staff will depart the club and join the United States national team alongside Emma Hayes.

 

Denise Reddy, Stuart Searle, Bart Caubergh, Ferdia O'Hanrahan and Cameron Meighan have left the Blues following the conclusion of the 2023/24 season. Their final game at the club saw us retain our Women’s Super League title.

Chelsea would like to thank all five members of staff for their invaluable contributions during their respective spells and we wish them all the best for the future.

That makes sense, new slate for everyone.

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/chelsea-women-announces-strategic-growth-plan

As we commence a new era with Sonia Bompastor as Chelsea Women’s Head Coach, we are excited to unveil our long-term strategic plan to accelerate the growth of Chelsea Women and cement our position as a leading force within the Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) and the global football community.

 

Women’s football in England is currently undergoing an unprecedented period of growth and change.

With the Football Association and professional clubs reaching an agreement to create a new and independent company to run the WSL and Championship from next season, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to support the acceleration of this growth to a scale not seen since the Premier League was formed in 1992.

In advance of next season, Chelsea Women will be repositioned so that it sits alongside, rather than beneath, the men’s team in a move that heralds a new era for the club. Chelsea Women will therefore have dedicated resources, management and commercial leadership, which will be focussed solely on the growth and success of the women’s team.

This new approach will enable Chelsea Women to harness the full potential of the opportunity for women’s football, amplifying our commitment to excellence both on and off the pitch.

 

 

Furthermore, this will also help attract new investment for Chelsea Women.

Currently, any prospective investor into a WSL team is required to invest through a men’s team. Having analysed the market and discussed with investors, there is a strong desire for an opportunity to invest solely into the women’s game to specifically support women’s football and benefit from the growth in the women’s game.

BDT & MSD Partners, a global merchant bank, has been engaged as financial advisor on a potential minority investment in the club, inclusive of evaluating inbound interest related to Chelsea Women.

Further investment into infrastructure, training facilities and player development, together with the strategic evolution of the structure supporting the women’s team, will lay a firm foundation to cement Chelsea Women’s position as a leading force within the women’s game over the next decade and beyond.

 

 

The club ownership group will continue to be the controlling shareholder of Chelsea Women and is committed to further substantial investments that will enrich the squad, elevate player development, and ensure a world-class environment for our athletes and staff.

Commercial Director Zarah Al-Kudcy said: 'We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a club in the women’s game over many years now and, at this pivotal moment in the history of the sport, we want to take our work to the next level by unlocking the long-term potential of the team.

'Dedicated resources and facilities are precisely what women’s football needs and deserves to fulfil the enormous opportunities within the game. Further investment only underlines how seriously Chelsea values women’s football and the benefits of this will be seen in the many years to come.'

Chief Operating Officer Jason Gannon said: 'Industry-leading infrastructure is key to any team achieving success. In this new era for Chelsea Women, the team will have the support and resources necessary to illustrate our commitment to excellence on and off the field.'

Chelsea Director Barbara Charone said: 'Chelsea have long been pioneers in the women’s game, and today’s announcement marks a milestone in the history of the club and women’s sport.

'Further investment in the women’s game is vital. These players, coaches, and staff deserve the best, and this bold step ensures Chelsea Women will continue to be a beacon of progress and innovation within the sport.'

13 hours ago, Boyne said:

Furthermore, this will also help attract new investment for Chelsea Women.

Currently, any prospective investor into a WSL team is required to invest through a men’s team. Having analysed the market and discussed with investors, there is a strong desire for an opportunity to invest solely into the women’s game to specifically support women’s football and benefit from the growth in the women’s game.

BDT & MSD Partners, a global merchant bank, has been engaged as financial advisor on a potential minority investment in the club, inclusive of evaluating inbound interest related to Chelsea Women.

 

Uh oh

Aggie and Eve chatting to the new boss after last night's game.

 

I thought she looked good when she used to come on!

Me too - good squad player but deserves first team football somewhere.

Ticket details for next season.

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/chelsea-women-ticket-information-for-2024-25-season-released

@Munkunku are you going to renew? I will but hope to move to the seats.

Yeah hopefully we’ll be able to move back to the north stand. My old man struggled when we couldn’t lean on the barriers and as I’m also prone to injury and could barely stand at two matches last season I think we’ve got good grounds to request a seat.

In reality we just want to be closer to Basil.

18 hours ago, Munkunku said:

Yeah hopefully we’ll be able to move back to the north stand. My old man struggled when we couldn’t lean on the barriers and as I’m also prone to injury and could barely stand at two matches last season I think we’ve got good grounds to request a seat.

In reality we just want to be closer to Basil.

Hope you're successful in moving to the North Stand. I'm going to try and move to the North Stand or West Stand. As mentioned before my right knee sometimes plays up if I stand in the same place for too long. Can't always find a barrier of post to lean against. Will also apply for West Lower seats for the games at the Bridge.

Short vid on moving the women's team to Blueco 

 

I'm not entirely opposed to the women's team being made independent, organisationally. In the current environment it makes more sense to secure independent funding because the appetite is there and the women's game no longer needs to be subsidised by men's football in England. Women's football as a whole needs to be an independent product, so there's that. 

But the main reason is that I'd rather investors who continue to treat the women's team as a seperate but equal priority, and actually have relevant expertise or are willing to source it. The Clearlake/Boehly chequebook football approach can only get us so far and it will be a matter of time before PSR/FFP are enforced in women's football too.

New email from the club about todays renewal but trying to log on to the website to renew greets me with the virtual waiting room!

I’m just trying to find anything about moving stand because it’s not been mentioned anywhere!

19 minutes ago, Munkunku said:

New email from the club about todays renewal but trying to log on to the website to renew greets me with the virtual waiting room!

I’m just trying to find anything about moving stand because it’s not been mentioned anywhere!

There is a bit in here about moving. Basically, you need to show that you have a medical condition.

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/chelsea-womens-ticket-guide

I'm stuck in the VWR as well.

Season ticket renewed for Kingsmeadow renewed. Will buy the package for games at the Bridge later. Couldn't find the tab to buy it on the website. Hopefully will be there later.

@Munkunku were you and your father able to move?

1 hour ago, Boyne said:

@Munkunku were you and your father able to move?

Not yet - trying to see if he’s got any letters from his GP about the state of his feet.

1 hour ago, Munkunku said:

Not yet - trying to see if he’s got any letters from his GP about the state of his feet.

Hope you are successful in getting a move. Daft that you can only move if you provide medical proof.

Anyone see the JRK nutmeg on Jess Carter! 

3 hours ago, Boyne said:

Hope you are successful in getting a move. Daft that you can only move if you provide medical proof.

I’ve sent a sh*tty email back saying they’re discriminating against an elderly man and failing to meet his accessibility needs because the whole stadium isn’t seated and there are plenty of seats available.

It’s ridiculous really. He’ll always spend money in the stadium and it’s not like there’s an army of high spending day trippers banging down the gates at Kingsmeadow. They need all the help going to keep building up the women’s game.

I genuinely hate this club nowadays, we’re nothing but money to them. He’s supported the club since the 70s, long before any of these muppets had heard of Chelsea.

Edited July 16, 20242 yr by Munkunku

4 hours ago, Munkunku said:

I’ve sent a sh*tty email back saying they’re discriminating against an elderly man and failing to meet his accessibility needs because the whole stadium isn’t seated and there are plenty of seats available.

It’s ridiculous really. He’ll always spend money in the stadium and it’s not like there’s an army of high spending day trippers banging down the gates at Kingsmeadow. They need all the help going to keep building up the women’s game.

I genuinely hate this club nowadays, we’re nothing but money to them. He’s supported the club since the 70s, long before any of these muppets had heard of Chelsea.

It will be interesting to know what the response from the club is. I suspect it be a lot of crap and they'll hide behind a load of mumbo jumbo. Sadly the club is treating fans of the women's and men's with contempt and even though we have season tickets and spend money in the grounds they are looking for people who will spend loads of money.

If there a loads of empty seats at the first game of the season you'll have great grounds to complain to the numpties in the club, 

Most of the people I go to the games with at the Bridge have been following the club since the sixties or seventies and goodness knows how much we have spent over the years. Obviously not enough

If the club still try to fob me off with bollocks the CWSG are going to step in and try to help out.