World Cup success sparks surge in interest in women's football in Bolton

As the Lionesses prepare to face world champions Japan on Thursday night after beating the hosts Canada 2-1 at the weekend, the women’s game has never been more vibrant here with leagues springing up everywhere.

Every week 10 teams in the borough compete in the USN Bolton Arena Thursday Night Ladies’ Premier League — and such is the demand that organisers are planning a second league.

The five-a-side league there – one of several across Bolton – is open to females aged 14 and upwards and has a positive spin-off into the 11-a-side women’s leagues. The league was founded in 2005 with just six teams and still has four founder teams playing.

Bolton Arena's football manager Marcus Brown said: "The players are really inspired by the England women's current success.

"It gives them confidence and encouragement and shows people how skilled the women are.”

Mr Brown has been involved in football as a player, organiser and referee for more than 20 years and has seen the standard of women’s football improve.

He added: “It’s good, honest football, without challenging behaviour like diving.”

Ladybridge Ladies have been playing in this league for the last 10 years and now have two teams.

Manager Darren Butler said there had definitely been more interest in the game in the last year – “probably since England qualified for the World Cup” – and the standard was improving all the time.

The club, based at the Tempest Road ground in Lostock, held an open day last Sunday when nine women’s teams turned up with around 70 players of all ages.

Mr Butler said: "It was the best event of its type we’ve ever had.”

The same story is repeated at Bolton Wanderers Ladies club, which has a senior team playing in the Women’s North West Regional League and a growing network of girls’ and ladies’ teams. They have also just staged trials at Bolton Arena over four days due to demand.

n For more information on women's football at Bolton Arena go to boltonarena.com