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DEBUTS FOR TUCHEL, BURN, LEWIS-SKELLY AND… OUR FIRST TIME FANS
- Faye Hackwell
- Mar 29
- 4 min read
Walking up the steps into the stands of a football stadium and looking out at the pitch for the first time is a special moment for any fan.
The smell of burgers and chips, the feel of a matchday programme in your hand and the sound of upbeat music playing over the PA system all add to the sense of excitement and anticipation in the air.
For most supporters, that sensation never gets old – whether it’s experienced as you head to the same seat you’ve occupied as a season ticket holder for years, or as you enter an opposition team’s ground you’ve never visited before.
But the very first time you breathe it all in, at your first ever football match, stays with you.
It is this one-in-a-lifetime moment that Her Game Too is providing to women and girls through the First Time Fans programme, which aims to increase female attendances at football matches and break down barriers preventing females from experiencing live football.
Following successful First Time Fans events at Premier League and English Football League games, organised in partnership with EA Sports, Her Game Too has partnered with Circuit Hospitality to offer opportunities to watch England play at Wembley Stadium.
So, as Thomas Tuchel made his debut in the England dugout, and Dan Burn and Myles Lewis-Skelly gained their first Three Lions caps, a group of females took their seats inside a football ground for the first time.
As a co-host, I joined Her Game Too’s Gillingham Ambassador, Paige Collins, and Rachel Le Poidevin, our official photographer for the evening, to meet the group by the iconic Olympic Steps on Wembley Way.
Our First Time Fans, chosen from an overwhelming number of applications, ranged in age from six up to mid-70s and all had their own unique reasons for putting themselves forward.
Farah Qureshi applied to attend with her friend Ghislaine Walker, saying: “I grew up during a time when football violence was on the news on a regular basis.
“It would be good to see how football has changed and become more inclusive and welcoming.”
Emily Conroy applied to take her twin daughters Olivia and Emilia, who play football in a mixed team and have struggled with comments from other children about football being a “boys’ game”.
Her application explained: “I want to encourage my daughters and set positive examples around inclusivity in sport.
“I’ve never had the courage to attend a game but I’m proud of our football team and what it represents, and I would like to show my daughters football is for everyone.”
Luke Davies wanted to give his daughter Narla the chance to experience her first elite match because she’d recently started playing, while Maggie Armstrong described herself as an “enthusiastic armchair follower” who had never made the step to attend a game in person, but was “keen to help bring about change” in gender representation at football grounds.
We got to know each other on the walk into Wembley, discussing the England line-up as it came in, which players everyone was most looking forward to seeing and the colourful national dress worn by some of the Albanian fans.
Each First Time Fan received a welcome pack, which included an England scarf kindly donated by the FA, Her Game Too bucket hat, badge, flag and a guidebook covering facts about both teams, key information about Wembley, an overview of football rules and how to get tickets for future Three Lions games – compiled by Her Game Too Ambassador Alice Botting.
Once inside, we had access to the Taphouse Social bar and kitchen, where we could get food and drinks and pick up a complimentary matchday programme.
Then came the moment to take our seats behind the goal to watch the warm-ups and spectacular pre-match light show before the match kicked off.
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Harry Kane were on target, as England began their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign – and a new era under a new coach - with a 2-0 victory.
At the final whistle, our group of First Time Fans exited Wembley discussing Tuchel’s tactics, the atmosphere created by the 82,000-strong crowd and what games they might look to attend next.
Reflecting on the experience, Ghislaine said: “I loved the buzz around the stadium and felt welcome and at ease.
“The away fans were energetic and the atmosphere throughout was positive; I travelled home proudly wearing my England scarf.
“I also loved the story of how Dan Burn gained his first England cap at the age of 32, in the same week as he’d scored the winning goal for Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.”
Emily said spending the evening with a group of fellow female fans had helped to show her daughters that football is just as much for girls as it is for boys.
“I would never have had the confidence to do something like this but I’m so glad me and the girls could experience it together and meet great women who enjoy the game,” she reflected.
“It wasn’t as intimidating as I thought it might be and it’s definitely inspired me to take them again.”
Circuit Hospitality welcomed the opportunity to host Her Game Too’s First Time Fans at Wembley.
Mark Kirton, Owner of Circuit Hospitality, said: "Breaking down barriers is essential, and First Time Fans plays a key role in making football more inclusive.
“Through our partnership with Her Game Too, we are championing a shared mission encouraging and increasing female attendance at football matches.
“It is a privilege to introduce new fans to their first football experience.
“For those of us fortunate enough to have enjoyed the game since childhood, we understand how truly special these memories are and that they last a lifetime, and we hope they foster a lifelong passion for the game."
Keep an eye on Her Game Too’s social media channels for future opportunities to attend First Time Fans events. You can receive a 10% discount on all hospitality packages through Circuit Hospitality, with 5% of proceeds being donated back to Her Game Too, by using the code HGT10 at www.vipfootballhospitality.com
