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The phrase “David v Goliath” is often used excessively, but it seems fitting for when Moneyfields FC from Portsmouth faces off against a club now owned by American businesswoman Michele Kang in an FA Cup match on Sunday.
Moneyfields was established in 2017 and advanced through the Hampshire and Southern Region leagues. Due to two seasons being impacted by Covid, they were able to achieve promotion to the fourth tier of the women’s pyramid, specifically the National League Division One South West.
Despite facing challenges, Portsmouth FC’s independent charitable trust, Portsmouth in the Community (PITC), has successfully completed the redevelopment of their home ground. However, due to delays caused by the pandemic, the site which will be shared by Moneyfields and Portsmouth women has experienced setbacks. As a result, Moneyfields has had to play their home games at eight different stadiums, including one in Basingstoke, for nearly two years.
Manager Karl Watson says that their advancement to the fourth round, achieved through a 1-0 victory against Millwall Lionesses at the University of Portsmouth stadium, is a significant achievement for the club. This comes at a crucial time as they have been facing challenges and the FA Cup prize money has doubled.
Watson, who assumed leadership of the team with the stipulation that they play on the club’s primary field and be treated as equals, expresses the immense significance of their recent achievement. The development of their ground has been delayed by two years and has exceeded the budget by millions of pounds. Their home games have not been played at this location since March 4, 2021, resulting in long trips for some players. The earnings from their success thus far will help the club overcome financial difficulties caused by the delays. This is a critical moment for the club.
Kirsty Pearce, who led Reading to the Women’s Super League in 2015 and served as general manager until the end of the 2018-19 season, has now returned to playing for Moneyfields for her own personal enjoyment. She has experienced the challenges of redevelopment from both perspectives, as she also works for PITC.
“I am currently handling the ongoing issues with the redevelopment on a daily basis,” she explains. “Therefore, I am very familiar with the challenges we face from that aspect. As a result, as a player, I am prepared for and understand the situation. However, many of the other girls are looking for a place to call home and, speaking on their behalf, I know there is frustration when they have a scheduled training session but the facility is unavailable, causing them to relocate. It is important to have a home advantage, which unfortunately we do not currently have. I know this can be frustrating for some of the players.”
Watson states that the challenges have not impacted their unity. He finds it remarkable that despite the ups and downs, none of the players have expressed dissatisfaction. The team and staff have developed, progressed, and become more resilient. Despite everything, they continue to attract new staff and players due to the success they have achieved in football.
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If the club wins on Sunday, they will receive £54,000. If they lose, they will only get £13,000. This is in addition to the money they have already earned. They are guaranteed at least £20,000 from the total of £100,000 for each fifth-round match. These amounts of money are very significant and can change the game. Even though £13,000 is still a lot of money, they need to have faith that they can progress further, according to Watson.
According to Watson, the team must maintain their belief, even if it sounds like something Ted Lasso would say. They are a group of incredibly talented girls, some of whom have played at a higher level and others who have the potential to do so. Despite facing tough competition with five international players and a large budget, the team will face them as equals on the field. While their opponents may have more financial resources, they are still just 11 individuals on the pitch. The team has a strong analysis team and will enter the game with a strategic plan in hopes of causing an upset.
I will be sleeping in the morning, imagining myself walking through the tunnel at Wembley with a ball in my hand, ready for the final match. It’s important to keep dreaming because without dreams, football loses its magic.
Dreams matter but for Pearce, who has experienced that level, the players must take time to enjoy the occasion too. “We’re there to compete, and I know a lot of the girls have the belief we can do that. But I’m realistic. You look at it and go: ‘It’s only two tiers difference,’ but that gap is massive,” she says.
“It’s an incredibly thrilling opportunity for the entire club and everyone is eagerly looking forward to it. The biggest advantage of reaching this stage in the tournament is the financial gain, which is especially significant for a club like Moneyfields. While anything can happen, we must also be realistic, and I will be encouraging the girls to savor the moment. Many people say ‘Don’t let the occasion affect your play,’ but I am telling them to embrace the occasion. Some players may never have this kind of chance again.”
Source: theguardian.com
