Episode 1 The Women's Football Show

Good evening and welcome to a new series of the Women's Football Show.

Manchester City were crowned WSL champions for the first time in

their history last season. Will they want again be the team to beat

domestically and in Europe? -- will Baby once again the team to beat?

Yes, Manchester City aiming to prove unstoppable as they chase a travel

Champions League, FA Cup and the Spring Series. A one-off competition

created to bridge the gap between seasons as the WSL transitions from

a summer league to a more traditional football calendar. We

have got our on unstoppable forces denied, Alex Scott and Rachel. We

will be checking in with Manchester City shortly, but we begin with the

news that on Friday morning Notts County Ladies players and staff were

told the club were financially unable to stay afloat and would fold

on the eve of the new season. Having only come into existence

three years ago after relocating from Lincoln, local businessman Alan

Hardy, who purchased Notts County's men's and women's clubs November,

has reluctantly admitted defeat in his bid to restructure the 6-figure

debt incurred by the previous owner. In March, a winding-up petition was

adjourned for a second time, giving Notts County until July three to pay

debts owed to inland revenue and Customs. With projected revenue from

attendances and sponsorship are set against operating costs of

approximately half ?1 million, Hardy said continuing would have been

little short of financial suicide. It is a very sad day for me

financially, he said, and supporters should rest assured I left no stone

unturned in my quest to save the club.

It doesn't seem real. Yesterday we were training. We were looking

forward to playing Arsenal on Sunday. Today the club does not

exist any more. People were upset. Livelihoods have been ruined. It is

pretty heartbreaking. We are all kind of left in a boat that is

sinking very quickly. Speculation emerged that two Premier

League clubs were interested in buying the WSL license but the FA

responded with the following statement.

Notts County have officially withdrawn from the Spring Series,

which will be contested by the nine remaining teams, with an

announcement about their replacement for 2017-18 to follow at a later

date. Of more immediate concern is the uncertain future faced by the

staff and the players from Notts County.

Devastating news for everybody involved. A big blow for women's

football. The FA say their priority of the players and they will work

closely with them, the PFA and wider stakeholders to support them through

this time, the most important thing being the players and staff. What is

your reaction, Rachel? The timing seems to be the key thing. A lot of

people shocked at it happening two days before the start of the Spring

Series? It seems crazy. Few months before a number of these players

will be stepping out to play for England in biggest tournament coming

up. Alan Hardy, the chairman, didn't even tell the players themselves.

They found out five minutes before it went public. So many things were

wrong about the announcement, yet alone -- let alone the consequence,

which means Notts County are no longer in existence. A lot of anger

on social media. Alex, you were supposed to play in Notts County.

Have you spoken to the players? What can you say, you can only show

empathy of what they are going through. It is the hard situation.

One moment they are preparing to play us and then their lives are

turned around. They are left without a job, some are homeless and they

are preparing for the European Championships, some of them. The PFA

say they are hopeful players will be granted special dispensation to move

outside of the transfer window, but it is a fluent situation because

liquidators need to assess assets. It is complicated and it could take

some time. The players of any professional clubs are assets. When

liquidators come in, they worked out what the acids are and what they are

worth. Who knows how long that process will take? Until that

happens, players can't Mike Sherman -- players can't move on. Where did

they move to due clubs have already budgeted for the next year. Do they

have room in their squad? Do they have money left to pay these

players? Summoning unanswered questions. This is a unique

position. I just hope the welfare of the players is paramount. That these

players can find a club and get back on the training pitch. It does sound

like they are the priority. But going back to the money, if you look

at the projected revenues, ?28,000 coming in but half ?1 million in

operating costs. The figures don't add up. What does this mean in terms

of progress? In terms of ticket sales, yes. We want the game to be

open to families. It is different to the men's game. With that, you will

not generate a lot of revenue from ticket sales. Where clubs need to be

smart, where they need to generate income, you will use the girls as

commercial assets, market them and use them in the wider community to

generate money from a different strain. An extremely difficult time

for everybody involved. We wish them all the best. Manchester City have

signalled their intent to secure more silverware with the signing of

Carli Lloyd on a short-term deal from Houston. Ahead of city's

Champions League semifinal tie against Lyon, Sue Smith sat down

with her. She has won two Fifa player of the year awards, two

Olympic medals, and a hat-trick in the World Cup final in Vancouver.

It was one of those -- those moments where I was in the zone, I was super

focus, I wanted to win. You dream of doing something like that.

What a goal! Carli Lloyd has a hat-trick inside 16 minutes.

It brings chills to my arms still thinking about it. I was waiting and

waiting and waiting and when it went in I was like, oh my gosh. I ran

back to hope and she has our arms around me and she said, are you even

human? Are you superhuman? No. It's called just working extremely,

extremely hard. My life changed completely after the

2015 World Cup, which was great. It took some getting used to. President

Obama, what was he saying to you when he was holding your hand?

Everybody seems to be laughing. He was talking about the moment I

scored the third goal. I remember he asked what I ate for breakfast that

morning. If you had to pick three words to sum yourself up, what would

they be? I would probably say relentless, professional and German.

I don't ever switch off. It is one of those things where, if the

football aspect of your life is going well, the rest of your life is

going well. But if the football isn't going well, it drives me

insane off the pitch. I look at all these moments and

these are all glorious moments. What isn't up here is the hard, tough

moments that I had to go through, the struggles, the obstacles. Those

moments have helped me propellant to the biggest stage. -- propel onto.

You nearly turned your back on the game in 2004? I was cut from the

under 21 national team by Mike coach and I figured I would quit because I

didn't know how to overcome that. I was going to finish out my

collegiate career. That is when my dad reached out to James and said,

my daughter really needs somebody to work with. Can you train her?

James, my trainer, he is the wizard, the brains behind how fit I am, how

strong I am, how I deal with certain situations. If it weren't for him, I

wouldn't be standing here. I would never have accomplished all of this.

I think what's amazing about James is he never had announce of doubt. I

had some doubt. I asked my self over and over, can I really become the

best player in the world? Is it really going to happen? When is it

could happen? If I had to do it all over again, and weighed 13 years to

stand on that stage receiving my trophy as Fifa's best player in the

world, I would probably do it the same way. It takes is that much

sweeter that you had to work so hard to reach a point like that. I was

probably more nervous at that moment wedding to have my name called and I

was in the world Cup final. I was super nervous because you can

control what you do on the pitch. But this, it is voting. You just

don't know. I obviously train to win team events, but for an individual,

this is something I was going after for some time. Who is the best

player you have played with? With? You know, Kelly Smith. I actually

got to play with her when I was young, in my high school days. She

was someone I thought to myself, wow, she is great. You still as

hungry for success? I am. There are still people out there and look at

my age and say, she is 34. But bring it on. People have died of me ever

since I started and I have made them eat their words and I will continue

doing that. I still have a lot in me and I think my best is yet to come.

It has been amazing. The girls have been amazing. Great. Lots of

characters. Weird acts and is? May be the Scouse accent! -- accents.

They speak a different language, that is for sure. When they are

speaking with one another I'm like, what did you guys say? I don't know

if it is something I will ever learn. Some of your team-mates have

come across as well. Heather O'Reilly, Crystal Dawn. Karen Hauer

league get to the level it is in America, a world-class league? I

definitely think so. The biggest thing is the funding. At Manchester

City they treat the men world-class and they treat the women world-class

as well. I have been impressed. There are some great players. We

play really good soccer, or football. It's great. Do you think

you may come back to women's Super League or finish in America? I don't

know. It is a really good question. That is the first question I have

been asked as far as that. I'm not sure. I'm open to all possibilities.

As we get closer to the 2019 World Cup and the 2020 Olympics, that will

pretty much, if all goes well, be the end of my career. But I'm just

taking it as it comes right now. I am really loving it. Is there a

possibility of coming back and re-signing? Absolutely? The

Champions League, is that one of the main reasons why you came to

Manchester City? Yes. With Nick reaching out, that was one of the

big draws. He wanted someone of my stature who could help with the

experience. Just be a good role model here. Do you think you will go

in against Lyon and take the game to them? What I have always done with

my career is it is not about the opponent, it is not about any one

particular player. Yes, Alex Morgan is on that team. But at the end of

the day I'm competing against myself. And I'm competing against

being better than I was in previous games. It will be tough. France has

some amazing players who play for Lyon. At the end of the day we just

have too worry about us and what we can do and what we control. We will

be OK. Kylie Leuluai was in the starting

line-up at the academy Stadium on Saturday afternoon, where City phase

told as Lyon in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal.

COMMENTATOR: Swung in and headed off the line by

Tenor stokes was that a handball? Yes it was. Lyon have a penalty. The

arm was raised from the USA captain. Against Bardsley, and scores. The

worst possible start for Manchester City. Lyon take the lead from the

spot. Bardsley going the wrong way. Dispossessed by Walsh.

Birgen fans. Equalisers for Manchester City. Eight minutes after

Lyon take the lead comedy Sweden international makes it 1-1. Uses her

pace to drive away. Good finish as well. Asllani gets a foot in. Morgan

retains possession. Most touch, lasered off. Lyon retake the lead

and it is an excellent team gold. Bardsley was now chance. Lyon coming

forward again. Looking for Morgan. Bardsley out well to smother. Again,

Lyon showing plenty of verve and vigour attacking the Manchester City

penalty area. The England goalkeeper does well. The ball in, looking for

Le Sommer. Lyon take real control in this tie. Eugenie Le Sommer shows

her quality with a cracking finish. Can Manchester City haul themselves

back into this game? It is off the post, the initial effort from

McManus. Christians and will try to play this on. It goes behind and it

will be a mountain the Manchester City to climb in the second leg in

France -- Christiansen. We heard Carly telling some part of the major

attraction for moving to Manchester City was playing in the Champions

League, so I can only imagine she would have been really unhappy to

concede a penalty in the first few minutes without handball. It wasn't

the ideal start. Whether she was a bit hyped up, she has been in

high-pressure situations before. She does have her arm raised as the ball

was played and it hits her arm in a none position. The referee has no

option other than to give a penalty. Not a great start for City at all.

But we see for the second goal, Maroszan, Carly Booth is best to be

marking her. -- Carly Lloyd ASBOs to be marking

her. She would be disappointed. Lyon have won three in the Champions

League. Alex, your team were the last British team to make a European

final decade ago, were you playing them? A decade ago! Showing my age!

It will be a huge task for them to climb, not a start they wanted, but

it has taken a team of Lyon's calibre to exploit the City defence

because we haven't seen that in the WSL. I would like them to show they

have nothing to lose was the batting lower spaces in Lyon's defence,

which result from the girl. How important is the presence of Carli

Lloyd, not only of the pitch but on the pitch as well, where she heard

her described herself as relentless, professional, driven. I loved that

interview with Carli Lloyd. The words she uses, for every young

female and male players watching that interview, it is not about

talent, you need more than talent, it gets you through the door but it

is not enough to stay there, it is about your mentality and drive to

stay there and do it consistently. Like she said, it has taken her 13

years to become the best player in the world and jackets working and

she wants more. And to think she nearly gave it all up at one point.

That was the turning point. That switch. That is robust calibre of

player brings to the WSL, because she has won World Cups, she has

captain, bringing other players over, the likes of crystal done,

Heather O'Reilly. Coming back to the WSL, but those US national women's

team players they are winners, that is something England players don't

have and can learn from. Despite defeat to Lyon, there was some good

news for Manchester City after Lucy Cammack were bronze was named

women's players Player of the Year for the second time. -- Lucy Bronze.

Deserving of that win? Absolutely. She has been phenomenal for both

club and country. Alex has a great knowledge of what it takes to be a

wonderful right back. Lucy has good defensive quality. It is her

attacking prowess that makes her stand out and has probably won her

the representation from her fellow players. She sees the space, the

12s. That was the blueprint that Manchester City had all last year

and was really why I believe they won the league and have been so

successful. She just exploit space over and over. That attacking tactic

was why there were so good. She really does live up to her middle

name, Tough. Did you vote for her? She was another one, yesterday when

I was speaking to her, but like Carli Lloyd, it occur 13 years, but

I told her she needs to do that and have the time because I believe

Lucie Kankova on to be one of the best players in the world. A good

night the full-backs with just Carter named young Player of the

Year after a superb debut season in 2016. We can have a look at the tomb

of the year as well. Rachel, do you think there's anyone missing from

that list? We were debating this before. Kira Walsh with Man City was

excellent. I think Nikita Parris had a fabulous season for Man City. She

broke into the senior side. She is tenacious and her play. She might

feel hard done by that she is not on that list. Kelly Smith gets a second

shout out. Carli Lloyd says she is the best pleasures are played

against Antonacci has won a special achievement award. Rightly so. 117

caps, her career spans longer than probably most people. Phenomenal

player. When you have players like Lucy Bronze saying it was her dream

come true just to be on the same pitch as Kelly Smith, it shows how

much Kelly Smith has been such a role model for the young players

coming through. Caroline Weir made it into the tomb of the year. She

was involved for Liverpool as the spring series got underway. They

face newly promoted your Poole Town, aiming to build upon glasses and's

extraordinary achievements. Jamie Sherwood's side fired expectations

in 2016, in front of a record crowd on the final day of the season they

beat Sheffield FC to beat local rivals Bristol City WSL title. We

all do this part time, we are not here for the money, it is true

determination, true character, it is all about family and that is what we

are, we have come a long way and we deserve it. Yeovil Town will need to

draw on that unity as the club aim to compensate for having one of the

more modest budgets in the Super League, so could the Lady make an

immediate impact when they kicked off the made in top-flight campaign

against Liverpool? COMMENTATOR: An historic day for Yeovil Town, their

first match of the top flight of women's football after winning

promotion as champions from WSL2 glasses on. They have already played

once. They were knocked out of the FA Cup in the last 62. The big team

news, the return of striker Sarah Wiltshire, she gave birth to her

daughter Alexa in February and after a short loan spell at Cambridge

United she is back in the Yeovil Town squad and named on the bench

will stop Nicola cousins returns in the fence. Liverpool were knocked

out of the FA Cup semifinals by Manchester City last weekend, two

judges for them. Casey Stoney is out so Sophie Inglot lobsters at the

heart. Caroline Weir comes in and Laura clones, who signed permanently

for Chelsea after a successful loan spell last season, also starts. The

head of kick a bit of a mix-up with the Liverpool kit. It didn't arrive

in Somerset, so Liverpool will be playing in your Poole Town's away

strip, not their traditional red. -- Yeovil will be playing. Here,

Liverpool, played out the Hodgson. A bit of a clash. It will be a free

kick to Liverpool. Nicola Cousins on Caroline Weir. Alex Greenwood with

the delivery. Might fall here for Harding. Saved and off the line by

blizzard. -- by Blezard. Really good opportunity, this, for Liverpool.

Yeovil survived. Chance for Liverpool. Very close, can they get

the follow-up? Handball and it will be a penalty kick. Yeovil look at

salute Lee devastated with that. It was her son who had her hand in an

amateur opposition. -- Heatherson. Here is Greenwood. Really good

penalty. Haynes went the right way. 1-0 to Liverpool. She was not far

away from that, Charlotte Haynes. Van de Sanden with a nice ball

forward. Having forced wide. Lovely nutmeg by Harding. Oh so close!

Inches wide. Vital touch by Haynes to prevent Harding from making it

2-0. Into stoppage time. Yeovil made to stand strong. That is another way

through and that is a really poor bit of defensive work from Yeovil.

Jim Obama has got the decisive touch -- Gemma Bonner. She has made it 2-0

to Liverpool Ladies. Liverpool just try and pile on the misery before

the referee blows for half term. It is a shame because Yeovil have

looked better. That is really poor once again. Good saved by Haynes.

Will it be an own goal? Just cleared off the line. A decisive bit of

work. A chance for Yeovil to swing one in. You want a penalty. It was

cousins who went down. The referee unmoved. A nudge in the back there.

Zelem comes into the ball. Van de Sanden. She squares it, here's

Zelem. It will trickle over the line. Katie Zelem makes it 3-0 to

Liverpool. On target, and Haynes just couldn't give it out. Liverpool

heading for a very comfortable victory here. Picked up by Clark.

Harding. Van de Sanden with a little bit of pace. Shanice van de Sanden.

It might fall here for Zelem again and it is four. Two for Katie Zelem,

on as a substitute, and Liverpool now on their way to a very

comfortable victory. Here comes Sarah Wiltshire. Can she

give Yeovil fans something to cheer about? Not a bad delivery. Just

about gathered by Chamberlain. A bit over afters between Jones and Sophie

Ingle. It appears the referee has given a penalty kick. It is for this

altercation. Sarah Wiltshire on her return to Yeovil Town. She buries

it. She sends Chamberlain the wrong way. Yeovil fans have something to

cheer about. A good header. Jones! Not far away.

A comprehensive win. How pleased I you with the performance? We are

delighted. We knew it would be a tough place to come. Yeovil are

riding high. We knew they would be up for this. They made a big deal

out of it. We knew it would be a great occasion and one we had to

turn hold in. The game was there for the taking at 2-0. I do believe

there was a slight push in the back, potential penalty. We have to take

baby steps. We have to learn and enjoy what we have done today but

move forward quickly and learn. You played in Yeovil Town's away kit.

What actually happened? I thought we looked good in it. I thought we

played really well in it. There is no real comment on that.

It is one of them. Wrong kit. A bit like yours, but the wrong -- right

result? Jamie Sherwood says you get punished at this level for the

mistakes you make. Yes. Sunderland hit the ground running when they

came up. The Oval, simple stuff. In defence

they didn't track their markers. Sophie Ingle is free. Gemma Bonner

slots home. It is way too simple. Player takes her eye off and it is

an easy tap in. You get punished in the second division but in the first

division, you will find it difficult to get back into the game. This is

the third goal. Defenders looking at the ball, not the players. Katie

Zelem under no pressure slots home. Way too easy. The final one, the

fourth goal. Another run, no pressure on the ball. Katie Zelem

has time to have a touch. The keeper has to be forward so she is balanced

and can make a dive. Yeovil one of the to part-time teams

in the WSL. A crucial point in the game. Should they have had a

penalty? Absolutely. Yeovil can feel slightly aggrieved. Kate Longhurst

has actually lost our marker. Instead of going for the ball she

has gone straight through the player. That is a clear penalty.

Whether the player would have made contact with the ball is debatable.

But yeah, simple. It is a penalty. Even if they get the penalty, after

30 minutes you could see the difference in the fitness levels.

Liverpool were always going to win. Last season Liverpool finished

mid-table. What do you make of their recruitment? I have been impressed.

Casey Stoney was a fantastic signing. She is a leader at the back

and has partnered Gemma Bonner really well. Bringing in Jess Clarke

as a late signing has been fabulous. What they do have a fairly small

squad. Just thinking about Man City last season, they had the smallest

woman in the league and went on to be invincible.

Two more matches to catch up on. Bristol City Ladies took the field

shortly after the men. They face Reading ladies.

The opening fixture of the Spring Series saw newly promoted Bristol

City take on Reading in front of more than a thousand fans. They

almost got the perfect start, denied by the post. The teams went in level

at half-time. Two minutes after the break Rachel Furness gave the

visitors the lead. With only one win in the WSL campaign last season,

Reading were well on their way to matching the tally in their opening

game. Bristol City were left stunned when a quickfire third by Melissa

Fletcher put the game beyond doubt. Bristol will probably want to forget

the mix-up between defender and goalkeeper. Bristol did get a

consolation late on with arguably the goal of the match. Lauren Hemp

capped off a fluid move. A class between two new managers as

Marc Skinner's Birmingham took on Sunderland. It has been a solid

start for Skinner who has guided the blues to a first FA Cup final in

five years. Charlie Wellings headed over. Last season's strugglers

Sunderland had to stand strong against Birmingham pressure. White

came close to opening the scoring. This free kick was the closest

Sunderland came to scoring. No doubt Melissa Ray will be held the light

-- will have been delighted by the efforts of our team. The point could

prove precious for Sunderland. Very early days, of course. This is

how the Spring Series table looks. Man city and Chelsea not in action

because of city's European commitments.

No relegation and no promotion. Birmingham struggled with goals in

the early part of last season. Goldust today. How do you think they

will progress? They had a great season last year. I think they made

some wonderful signings in the transfer window. They brought in the

likes of the goalkeeper, Berger, and they have done the same in the

off-season. They seem to be ambitious. Bringing in Ellen White

was a fantastic signing. Page Williams as well. Really solid

signings. They are building on their progress. Onwards and upwards, along

with a new manager, Marc Skinner, a young, fresh attitude. Earning are

looking totally different outfit. They have an FA Cup final to look

forward to. -- Birmingham are looking totally different outfits.

Arsenal were supposed to play today against Notts County. I have still

been in training today! We have brought in new players. We lost a

lot of senior players. We need a core group of players. We don't want

an influx every season. It is a chance to give the younger players a

chance to see and they are capable of playing at this level. With no

relegation or promotion, will teams be more experimental? I do,

definitely. There is nothing to lose. It gives them the opportunity

to possibly bring players in ahead of the new season in August,

September. So yeah, it is an opportunity for young players. They

can really make their mark, impressed their managers and

possibly get those contracts. Going into every game, you want to win it.

Newly promoted teams get to play a lot of games? They do. They get to

see what they are going to be up against. Newly promoted teams like

the will have nothing to lose. They will learn a lot of lessons. It

was St George's Day yesterday. We have got just enough time to focus

on England's Lionesses. Mark Sampson made the unconventional decision to

announce which 23 players would be requiring their passports for the

European Championships this summer, three months ahead of the

tournament. I think there were probably a few

people thinking it was a good coal and other people thinking, what is

this Wally doing? Is important we make the big calls at the big -- big

times. We are the best prepared team in Europe and we can focus on the

things we can improve on and make sure that every areas covered by the

first game. It takes away dead. It gives us togetherness to build on

the plans and the game plans, our structure. The reason we named the

squad early as the players will get some clear plans and guidelines

about where they need to be come July. We are now in a place where

this team is ready to win. We are going to this tournament expecting

to go all the way. Even personally speaking, I feel a lot more

confident going into this tournament than the World Cup. There are not

many things that will be thrown at us in the summer that we have an

experience. Particularly if we look at the teams in our group, Scotland,

first major championship, Portugal the same, a Spanish team that's

traditionally disappointed major championships. We have been there,

we have done it, we have won on the biggest stage and we know what it

takes. We can definitely be confident.

Alex, you have made the squad, good news! Mark Sampson talked about

making the big calls at the right time. Does the decision to announce

that the squad early create unity and security for the players?

It is easy for me to say it is the right decision and I understand why

people have been debated it, but I know there are plans already in

place. We're working on fitness, game plan tactics, and things away

from the field. It gives players like Casey Stoner, who has a family,

time to put plans in place. I get the debate. People are saying that

players who have been picked may take their foot off the gas in the

WSL. That is not the case. We don't want to embarrass ourselves. We have

even more work to do to show everyone we deserve our place.

Expectations are very high. Interesting that Mark said form is

not that important. I think sometimes Mark throws things out

there. I wouldn't say it is for a fact but he has these buzzwords.

Maybe that is one of his buzzwords. I think he will look at form.

Players will want to impress and they will want to be absolutely

flying. They will not take their foot off the pedal. I'm sure all of

the players will be fine and be on form. Four of those players from

Notts County are in the squad as well? That is massively unfortunate.

I hope they can find clubs soon as soon as possible. They are losing

days right now not having a club and team-mates to train with, will not

been able to build on the tactical building blocks. All these things

Alex was talking about. They are not getting the day-to-day contact time.

I am sure they will have -- will be trying to bridge that gap.

Let's look at the fixtures. Are you looking forward to England and

Scotland? Already smiling. Everybody wanted to see this happen. As soon

as Scotland qualified, everybody was wishing for this fixture. This is

where rankings go out the window. We know this is more than England

versus Scotland. It is that rivalry. An exciting way to get the

championships way. Portugal and Spain also in the group? Spain have

improved year-on-year. Some of the players who outplayed for Barcelona

are outstanding. They are the rise. Portugal is their first tournament.

You don't know what to expect. They don't know what to expect. It will

be exciting. European teams play the same and are hard to break down.

Given England's World Cup finish, third, what are your predictions?

Not this bit! In England. I'd like to go out with a win, of course.

There will be full coverage of the European Championships in Holland.

We will be back next Sunday night talking all things Arsenal and

Scotland with Kim Little. Thank you to our guests, Rachel Brown-Finnis

and Alex Scott. The WSL is back and Liverpool started the new series --

series with a spring in their step. Bye for now.

MUSIC: Pure And Simple by Hear'Say It's like old times!