Upfront - A Women's Football Podcast

The sun was out, the good times were flowing, Chloe and Rachel were back together at Box Park… the weekend felt like Euro 2022 all over again! And then - for Spurs - reality struck. Clo and Rach react to a huge victory for Manchester United to lift their first major trophy. Could this change the trajectory of their summer transfer window? And how do Spurs – especially Becky Spencer – come back from such a drubbing? There’s also the small matter of Viv’s departure from Arsenal (?!!). Rach explains why things have never been better since Joe Montemurro’s days at the club and Chloe road tests some new strike partnership names at Man City. Bunny…Mied? MiedHemp? We’ll keep working on it. Plus, a preview of the FINAL weekend of the WSL! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Sunday is a first for Tottenham Hotspur: it will be their first EVER Women’s FA Cup final. And it’s been quite the journey over the past 20 years. One woman who knows that better than anyone is former Spurs player and captain – now academy coordinator – Jenna Schillaci. She’s also one of Chloe’s former teammates! They discuss how far the club has come since their playing days and why this season has seen such a huge mentality shift from their relegation-threatened days 18 months ago. From Jenna’s memories of non-league, to Jess Naz’s rise since her ACL injury in the Championship, join us to hear all about Spurs’ long road to Wembley! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back in March, Chloe and Rachel came together with over 50 young women and dozens of coaches for a very special event with the Premier League at the National Football Museum in Manchester. Their aim? To discuss gender equality, explore opportunities for women within the football industry, and inspire these young girls. The event was all organised by Premier League Changemakers, a programme that provides training opportunities for girls and young women across the country in leadership and – of course – football. So, on today's episode, you're going to hear from some of the people that make that happen. Chloe and Rachel take you inside this inspiring day and chat with coaches and women and girls leads from some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League and WSL, as well as Ruth Shaw OBE, Chief Executive of the Premier League Charitable Fund. From football training for Somali women in Bristol, to young women getting the skills to coach young boys at programmes in Manchester, you'll hear about some of the inspiring work that's going on in all corners of the country. Chloe and Rachel also reflect on the Premier League's No Room For Racism Action Plan, the importance of diversity in women's football, and Chloe's own journey into the sport. There's also the small matter of Chloe's Spurs shirt being installed in the museum! Tune in to hear about that and much more. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WHAT a week in the WSL! Clo and Rach try to make sense of it all after three minutes and two Stina Blackstenius shots sent the WSL trophy back towards west London on Sunday. Chloe reckons it’s somewhere in St Albans now… They discuss Chelsea’s sensational collapse at Liverpool, before some ol’ Emma Hayes mind games brought them back from the brink. Plus, should Steph Houghton have got minutes for Man City? Chloe explains why a proper send-off means everything to players. We also discuss Liverpool leapfrogging Manchester United and Carla Ward’s Aston Villa exit! What next for them? Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bristol City’s relegation was confirmed last Sunday after defeat to Manchester City. Today, Lauren Smith joins Rachel on the pod to reflect on relegation and their WSL journey this season. Lauren reveals what it’s really like to fight at the bottom of the table in the WSL, the importance of getting the backing of the board at Bristol, and her continuing ambition to promote young talent – even with their return to the Championship. Rachel also finds out how Lauren thinks the gap can be closed between the top and the bottom in the WSL – including rewarding smaller clubs’ academies when talent like Lauren Hemp move to pastures new. Join us for a fascinating discussion! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chelsea and Emma Hayes’ Champions League run is over! Barcelona broke yet more hearts in front of a sold out Stamford Bridge – and Hayes was left fuming with the referee. Now the dust has settled, Clo and Rach look back on the game and whether there were other reasons behind Chelsea’s collapse. Looking at you, Maya Ramirez. Elsewhere, we react to Lauren Hemp’s contract extension at Man City and Ellie Roebuck’s soon-to-be-confirmed move to Barcelona. Finally, Crystal Palace defender Annabel Johnson joins us (with her Championship medal) to give us the inside track on Palace’s title celebrations and give the pod a special thank you. Stay tuned! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Barcelona in mid-April. Stephanie Frappart in the middle. Emma Hayes with her formal blue coat on. It can only mean one thing: an ICONIC Champions League semi-final! Chloe and Rachel look back on a historic victory for Chelsea at the Estadi Olímpic and how they “played dirty” to do it! Also, the Ann Katrin Berger Era comes to an end, Rachel explains why she’s worried about Man City in the last stretch of the season, and we find out how Crystal Palace have gone from Championship regulars to WSL-team-in-waiting. It’s not got anything to do with Chloe, we promise… Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we’re joined by the goalkeeper who has made the most saves in the WSL this season: it’s Brighton No.1, Sophie Baggaley! Rachel sat down with her ahead of Brighton’s clash with Everton at the Amex on Friday night. Sophie reflects on her first season at Brighton: from her midnight arrival on transfer deadline day, to Melissa Phillips’ shock exit just six months later. She also reveals which Brighton players fancies themselves between the sticks and her friendly rivalry with Elisabeth Terland! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re only just getting our breath back from two stunning FA Cup semi-finals! And Chloe has finally stopped communicating exclusively with all-caps in the Upfront WhatsApp group, phew. Clo and Rach give their reactions to Man United’s shock defeat of Chelsea to throw another spanner in the engine of Emma Hayes’ open top farewell bus. How did they do it? There’s also plenty of love for Mary Earps and Chloe reflects on how far her old team Spurs have come now that they’re in their first EVER FA Cup final! Plus, Rachel quotes a poem and explains how Rachel Daly made versatility sexy after her shock England exit! But was it the right choice? Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bay FC are the new kids on the block in the NWSL – and before a ball had even been kicked, they had made huge moves in the game. From Jen Beattie, to Asisat Oshoala, to Rachel Kundananji for a world record transfer fee, they have built an eye-catching squad. The challenge now is making it all fit together. The woman behind all that is Lucy Rushton. Former General Manager at DC United and Head of Technical Recruitment and Analysis at Atlanta United, there are few women in football who have broken quite as many ceilings as Lucy in the men’s game. Now, she’s the brain behind one of the most exciting expansion sides ever in the NWSL. Lucy catches up with Chloe to discuss how you create a club identity from nothing, how you convince players to join a squad when there isn’t even a training ground yet, and Bay FC’s ambitions to change the face of women’s sport forever. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re here a day early because we need to answer some important questions. Should people be worrying about England after their underwhelming draw against Sweden? Or do fans need to accept that England just struggled against strong opposition? Elsewhere, we chat about Wales and their longstanding legends as they smashed Croatia - but Scotland and Northern Ireland both turned in flat performances. We also look ahead to a seismic Upfront Derby, as a buoyant Ireland host the Lionesses tomorrow! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wondered how England develop their next crop of stars? We’ve got all the answers for you on today’s pod! Rachel sat down with the brilliant Emma Coates, head coach of England’s U23s. Emma explains how she works with Sarina Wiegman to identify new call-ups, the importance of the U23s as a bridge to the senior side, and how England’s talent pool keeps growing. This is a fascinating chat that you won’t hear anywhere else, so come join us! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone has gone full-blown Poirot after the Conti Cup final, so Chloe and Rachel get their monocles out and get to the bottom of all the drama between Emma Hayes and Jonas Eidevall! Of course, we put the game under the Upfront magnifying glass too, and react to an incredible moment for Stina Blackstenius – especially after one of her closest teammates, Frida Maanum, collapsed during the game. Elsewhere, Rachel reflects on her memories of Steph Houghton after she announced her retirement. And, forty years on from the first ever women’s Euros final between England and Sweden, we speak to the Lionesses’ star striker that day – Pat Chapman – about her memories of the game and and her thoughts on this Friday’s clash in VERY different circumstances at Wembley! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back in February, West Ham Women’s Vice President and Managing Director of Wow Hydrate Queenie Porter said that she thinks women’s football will one day become bigger commercially than the men’s game. Today, Chloe and Rachel sit down with her to explore a bit more about why she thinks that. Queenie also gives fascinating insight into the importance of separating men’s and women’s football when it comes to brand partnerships and how she believes NewCo can help expand the women’s game. Plus, we hear her thoughts on Chloe’s new nickname for Sarina Wiegman… Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We look back over a tasty Women’s Football Weekend that saw Man City’s title charge rumble on, painting Manchester blue in the process. Has Jess Park given #SazzyWiegs something to think about? Elsewhere, we dive into some Arsenal conspiracy theories after their kick-off was embarrassingly delayed once again, the Merseyside derby left us with more questions than answers and we look ahead to the Conti Cup final this weekend: the first silverware of the season! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of one of the biggest games of the season, Rachel sat down with Man City boss Gareth Taylor for a chat about how they’ve found themselves at the centre of a cracking WSL title race! Gareth also talks about separating the demands of the job from his family life, which other managers he leans on for support and how his side have developed a resilient edge. Plus, we get a unique insight into how City prepare on the training field and what they’re expecting at the Etihad this weekend! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chelsea worked their socks off on Friday night – but the less said about socks the better… Chloe and Rach look back on a huge win for Chelsea in the title race and Sjoeke Nüsken’s stunning transformation into a number nine! Plus, is Manuela Zinsberger’s time at Arsenal coming to an end? We also discuss Emma Hayes’ comments on relationships between players and the press conferences across the WSL about relationships between coaches and players in light of recent events. Plus, a preview of Women’s Football Weekend! If Chloe will let it go ahead, that is… Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for today’s cup chaos special, as we recap all the results from across the weekend. Man City were knocked out of both cup competitions in the space of a few days - did they re-sign Gareth Taylor too prematurely? Elsewhere, we saw smaller teams continue to close the gap, another lethal performance from Arsenal’s Stina Blackstenius, and some odd comments from Man Utd boss Marc Skinner. We also chat about Copa 71, a cracking new documentary that reflects on the unofficial 1971 World Cup that saw record crowds and the customary idiotic response from the powers that be. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal overcame Spurs in the North London derby, while Manchester City and Chelsea kept up their side of the bargain. So where’s the trophy going?! Cue the Benny Hill theme. Chloe and Rachel are back at Upfront HQ to talk about all that and much more. Plus, we collectively scream “JUST BOOT IT WEST HAM!” and there’s an extraordinary situation in the Gold Cup where Costa Rica went through by drawing LOTS! Anyone got a bowl? Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With just over a week to go until International Women’s Day, we wanted to welcome a truly inspirational woman in football onto the podcast. Khalida Popal is the former captain of the Afghan women’s national team. In fact, if it wasn’t for her, the team would never have been formed back in 2007. And if it wasn’t for her, the current squad would never have escaped Kabul when the Taliban regained power in August 2021. Now, Khalida faces a new battle with football’s authorities. With the Taliban’s ban on women’s sport, FIFA are refusing to recognise the Afghan team. Rachel speaks to Khalida all about that, the long journey to this point, and why football in particular is such a powerful tool for female empowerment. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com. Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad-free Upfront shows and more: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.