Spotlight on the women that help Oldham Athletic tick

And while I haven’t been directly targeted, it has felt personal, and I’m very much of the mindset that if you kick one, we all limp.

I’ve been a football writer for over two decades and throughout it all there has been a constant battle for acceptance - not as in your face as the current climate, but it's always there, lurking in the background waiting to jump out, and often when you're least expecting it.

On this occasion it has reared its head in a particularly ugly way; one that makes you wonder whether you want to keep fighting. It’s not necessarily a case of questioning your ability. Not for me anyway. And that’s not any kind of arrogance on my part, I just know I wouldn’t have survived as long in this industry if that wasn’t the case.

This job requires a thick skin for most people, but more so for women. But no matter how tough you think you are, you are a human being with feelings and sometimes they can be hurt.

The loss of my father almost 10 years ago put a lot of things into perspective, as grief does. And then my children came along; other life changing events that make you reassess who you are, where you are and where you want to go.

I stopped being a club reporter after the birth of my first child and I wasn't sure if it was a role I would ever go back to. It was hard to imagine finding a balance between the demands of football life and family life and doing both things well.

But the opportunity to cover Oldham was the right club at the right time for me, with the right people - women AND men - and I thank everyone for the way I have felt embraced by this club and community.

One factor that has had a profound impact on me, though, is the volume of women in prominent roles who are respected for the often tireless work they do. It starts at the top, of course, with Judith Rothwell and Su Schofield. But it goes right through the core of the club, and to mark International Women's Day I spoke to some of the women who work behind the scenes and help with the day-to-day running of the club, and on matchdays, and are a big reason why the 10-year-old me is still living her dream. Even in the tough times.

KATHY FLANAGAN

Kathy has been a matchday steward since 1992, after first falling in love with Latics in the 1970s.

"It is safe to say that it has most definitely been a journey," she said.

"I started attending matches with my family when I was a child during the 1970s, watching from the Ford Stand Paddock, now the Joe Royle Stand.

"I had a season ticket for the 1991/92 season in the old First Division, and loved every second of it. It was during that season however, that an old pal of mine tried for months and eventually talked me into becoming a steward because, I was told, 'the club needs women to get involved'.

"What a fateful decision when I finally agreed to give it a go.

"My first season working for my beloved club began in August 1992 when we became founder members of the Premier League! What a lot I have seen since then."

Kathy is the tunnel steward, and can be found on matchdays keeping the two dugouts in check and monitoring that area of the ground, as well as making sure the stretcher is safely stored away at the end of each home game.

"Over the years I've been told many times to go home and make my husband's tea - and that's just one of the more polite comments that have been made! (I actually go home to the hubby having made my tea!). But I decided early on though, that I wouldn't be beaten by petty or rude comments. I was determined to become the best steward I possibly could," she explained.

"A good few years down the line, and there are now many more females working within and attending football matches. Do I think more development is needed? Yes, absolutely. Do I believe it will happen? Yes I do.

"Not every female has to become a steward, but I can honestly say that if it's a path anyone wants to follow, it is so very rewarding.

"Almost 32 years down for me, and hopefully a good few more to come. I appreciate the privilege that is my role at OAFC as much today as I did in 1992. I love my club and, thanks to the Rothwell and Royle families, there is now so much to look forward to for me and my family in the future.

"So, on International Women's Day 2024, I hope I've made her proud... the almost 24-year-old young lady who took a gamble and became match day staff at a professional football club in 1992.

"I also hope that I've represented my club and my fellow supporters - both male and female - to the best extent possible."

ALISON SCHOFIELD

Alison is Oldham's Her Game Too ambassador, a female liaison officer and is on the Junior Latics committee, which are all voluntary roles.

"As the Her Game Too ambassador I am the link between the club and the campaign, which aims to eradicate sexist abuse and ensure everyone feels safe and welcome at football," she explained.

"We have five fabulous Her Game Too advocates at Oldham; Dawn, Andrea, Sammy, Kerry and Lauren, who put everything into their role.

"I love working with all the incredible staff at the club, community trust and liaison teams. They have made us feel so welcome, they listen to our ideas and help implement them.

"Securing sponsorship from Oldham's Sainsbury’s to provide free sanitary products to every fan is just one of the things we have done that I’m extremely proud of.

"The highlight of this season has to be the first 'Girls' Night In' event we all planned.

"Football stadiums have historically been intimidating places to visit for people such as first-time fans, those lacking confidence or vulnerable groups, to name a few.

"By being able to host events in this space, it helps to grow confidence for those attending, with the hope this will translate to additional fans on matchday.

"On the night, it was just so heart-warming and I can’t even express how it made me feel to see so many women enjoy it.

"I love watching football (maybe love is a strong word at times) but it’s just my happy place, like it is for so many others.

"Knowing women can face barriers or sexism either working in football, supporting or playing makes me want to play a tiny factor in that change.

"I know I have probably said this a million times, we are extremely lucky with the culture and amazing fans at Oldham Athletic. We have an incredible amount of women involved in the club at all levels, and feedback shows the majority of women do feel safe coming to Boundary Park, which makes me feel so blessed as it sets an example of what other clubs can achieve.

"We do have reporting systems in place, which have not been used so far this season.

"Alongside the work we continue to do at the ground, we have been encouraging more women and girls to get involved in football, supporting the local community and grassroots teams and the wider campaign.

"Unfortunately, there is still sexism and misogyny out there and no club is perfect. Football is a game for everyone. My hope, is that one day the campaign will not be needed."

SUE HOWARD

Sue volunteers part-time as assistant kit manager and has earned the title 'football mum' from the players, having held a number of roles at the club over the years.

"In my time at Latics I have worked the turnstiles, behind the bar in the Legends' Lounge and now I work alongside my partner, Dean, who is the kit manager," said Sue, who travels up and down the country making sure the players have everything they need on matchdays.

"I am a lifelong Latics fan so it doesn't feel like work.

"I like everything about my role at the club. I'd work there every day!"

SUE BOWSKILL

Sue is the personal assistant to manager Micky Mellon and football liaison officer.

"Ultimately I look after anything admin wise or any arrangements and appointments for Micky Mellon, his backroom management team and all the players. That covers a range of things from producing the weekly schedule for training, arranging accommodation for loan players, booking hotels/coaches for the team's away fixtures among other tasks.

"I also arrange, in conjunction with Oldham Athletic Community Trust, players' visits which may be schools, hospitals or businesses, and signing sessions as and when requested, so basically anything where the management team and players need to be in attendance during the week.

"I produce all the relevant paperwork for matchday guests and season ticket holders in our Legends' Lounge for all home fixtures, arranging food, serving food, ordering bar stock etc to make sure the fans enjoy their matchday experience within that area.

"Aside from the footballing side, I work with our chief executive and operations team on any ad hoc projects as and when needed, for example the refurbishments of home changing rooms, new classrooms for our Academy and development squad and various other projects.

"I head up procurement so I do the initial investigations on suppliers and equipment for any substantial purchasing and feed back to the CEO/finance heads for a decision to be made and then sometimes project manage them through.

"I was previously office manager for five years at the club, but this role is my favourite.

"OAFC is my club and has been for 38 years and I love being part of an exciting era.

"The hours can be challenging at times it feels like an hobby as opposed to a job, which money cannot buy."

PAMELA MAKIN

Pamela is the club's head of office administration, club safeguarding office and head of supporter liaison teams.

"I have three hats," she explained. "As head of office administration I attend to all things admin, employee contracts, policies and procedures, I arrange all the stadium contractual work that allows Boundary Park to be open by the council – this is SAG, Safety At Grounds Certification, I buy the matchday sponsor gifts, signed shirts, balls etc... and make sure our ladies' toilets around the stadium are stocked with appropriate products.

"I attend and arrange board meetings, pre-match briefings with all those who need to attend such as the safety officer, stewarding team, kiosk operators, hospitality, ticket office and media.

"I am also part of an operation board headed up by our CEO Darren Royle and lots of other stuff.

"As club safeguarding office I am responsible for matchday safeguarding within the stands, attending to anyone’s needs either child or vulnerable adults. I make sure the club is compliant by staff having the appropriate DBS certificates in place and keep up to date records for the Football League. I am also the mental health first aider for the club.

"As head of supporter liaison teams – disability/female/inclusion - I hold meetings to see where Boundary Park can improve in its current offerings to supporters.

"After 23 years in Early Years Education, I absolutely love what I do. It's great to be involved in so many aspects of the club, no two days are ever the same and the club just feels like family. I feel privileged to work here."