WE’RE halfway through UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 in Switzerland and the goals just keep coming.
Three years ago the Lionesses brought the trophy home, beating Germany 2-1 in extra time.
Chadderton FC girls’ team coaches Mike and Sophie Julien (Tatton Photography)
England and Wales have both been battling it out in Group D and go head to head tomorrow.
Women and girls from teams all over the country will be watching the action at their home clubs.
Many of those will have benefited from funding invested in grassroots sport across the UK, including more than £6.8billion from The National Lottery.
One of the big winners is Chadderton FC in Oldham. The men’s club is famous for producing England legend David Platt, although some might be more impressed to know Mark Owen of Take That once wore its famous red shirt.
Its women’s team is, in part, the result of one man’s vision and determination to support the women’s game.
Mike Julien, a former academy player with Manchester City, founded a team for girls, Middleton Academy, in 2011.
He and wife Sophie, who coaches and also plays for the club’s seniors, merged the team with Chadderton FC in 2021 and started adding more age groups.
With more than 150 registered players across all age groups, they have transformed girls’ football in a deprived area of the city.
“From where I started to where our players are now feels like a massive achievement,” says Mike.
“It’s brilliant to see so many girls involved. This is a place where they can come and enjoy themselves and play football, which helps them with other stuff as well, like problems at home.”
Inclusivity is a major part of the club’s sporting identity. No one is turned away and there is support for anyone with issues.
One girl who was told she wasn’t good enough by a coach at her previous club was welcomed and soon became a star player.
Another, who was so severely bullied she had to be home schooled, was given one-to-one coaching and found a new friendship group.
The Oldham academy has boosted girls’ football in a deprived area of the city
“We’re a safe space for these kids,” says Sophie, a payroll manager, who is also the mental health representative for her company.
“We’re their escape from troubles at home or at school, and it’s great to see them smiling.
“The parents recognise that too, and couldn’t be any more thankful. It’s the most fulfilling part of what we do.”
Coming from a club like Manchester City, you’d assume Mike would be focused on winning, but he shares Sophie’s view, having struggled with challenging experiences at City’s academy.
“Older players didn’t encourage me and people who were meant to be friends at home were jealous, so I understand what these girls are going through,” he says.
Chadderton’s progress was recently boosted with a £950,000 National Lottery grant that has helped pay for a 3G pitch next to the clubhouse at the main ground.
The club is a safe space for the girls and an escape from their troubles – it’s so fulfilling to see them smiling
“It’s a game-changer, as we can all now get together at the same place,” says Peter Connolly, club development officer and a retired trade union official.
“It brings us home. Before, we were scattered around parks and schools. Now our players feel like they really belong here.
“With the new pitch, pieces of the jigsaw are falling into place and the women’s side is set for big things.”
Importantly, National Lottery funding also means the club doesn’t need to keep asking parents for money. Chadderton has some of the lowest fees locally.
“We try to keep member subscriptions down as much as possible because there’s a lot of people who are really struggling financially around here,” says Peter.
“We always tell them to speak to the treasurer if there’s a problem. We don’t want to lose anyone because of money.”
Meanwhile, there’s the Women’s Euros. The two home nations face each other tomorrow, with hundreds of clubs planning mini festivals around the big match.
Chadderton are set to play in the Big Football Day at the Corrie set in Manchester
Before that, today’s headline event is The National Lottery Big Football Day on the Cobbles, which sees girls’ teams from England and Wales that have received Lottery funding take part in a day of fun football skills and competitions at Manchester’s Coronation Street set.
Chadderton FC will be there, then on Sunday it will hold a Big Football Day, another National Lottery-supported initiative that sees Euro 2025 events popping up at grassroots clubs across the country this summer.
“We’re taking our U15 team to Granada and the anticipation is building.
“I know how much the kids are looking forward to it and they’re taking it very seriously,” says Peter.
“We have our own thing going here too, so it’s going to be a busy weekend.”
Football will, as the saying goes, be the winner – regardless of the result in the big Euro clash.
In fact, Chadderton FC are already receiving enquiries from new players.
“With the new pitch and some new players on the way, things are looking good for next season,” says Sophie.
Mike and Sophie have already made their own contribution to recruitment – Aariya, age three.
She’s just been given her first pair of boots and is enjoying valuable early coaching lessons from her parents.
“She can’t wait to be involved,” laughs Sophie. “She comes to games and shouts, ‘Go Chaddy!’”
KICKING OFF ON THE COBBLES
CPD Merched Porthmadog FC will be one of the clubs from Wales attending The National Lottery Big Football Day on the Cobbles today.
“It’s all the girls have been going on about since we told them,” says chairman and head coach Gethin Jones.
“They’re so excited to be part of a big event like this. Some of them watch Coronation Street, so they’re hoping to see some of the actors on set and maybe some top players. It’s going to be a great day out for all of us.”
With Y Dreigiau (the Dragons) playing their first big tournament, Welsh hearts are already swelling with pride.
It’s a huge boost to the national game, and grassroots clubs are ready to cash in with more participation.
Yet ten years ago, CPD Merched Porthmadog didn’t even exist.
It celebrates its tenth anniversary next season thanks to the efforts of Gethin, who is a community coach with Cymru Premier team Bala Town, and a small group of parents.
They decided to form a team because there was no option for local girls in a remote area on Gwynedd’s northwest coast.
“To be where we are now from where we first started is amazing really,” says Gethin.
“At the start it was a bit of struggle to get enough players, but now it’s a totally different story – we’re almost full at all age groups.
“I couldn’t have imagined it would work out like this.”
Today the club has over 100 players, catering for ages ranging from under-9s to under-15s.
Their star graduate is defender Cadi Rodgers, now with Chelsea and a member of the Wales Under-19 squad.
CPD Merched Porthmadog graduate Cadi Rodgers is part of the Wales Under-19 squad
For most girls and their parents, it’s simply a chance to make new friends from different areas and form social bonds for life.
“We attract players from many different towns and villages around us and it gives them all the opportunity to be part of something bigger,” says Gethin.
“They learn new skills, leadership, teamwork, and build confidence through the sessions and the games they take part in.
“That gives them the platform to do amazing things.”
CPD Merched Porthmadog is another club to benefit from National Lottery funding.
“We received grants last year through Sports Wales and it helped upskill coaches and purchase equipment including new goals,” says Gethin.
“And we play at clubs that have also had their facilities upgraded thanks to National Lottery funding. It all makes a difference.”
Sounds like the perfect win-win.
The National Lottery changes lives every day.
Find out how at national-lottery.co.uk/life-changing
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