FIRST TIME FANS SEE THRILLING DRAW AT CHELSEA FC

The First Time Fans meet 99-year-old Chelsea season-ticket holder Arnold outside Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s newest fans met one of the club’s longest-standing supporters, as females who had never attended a football match before got to experience their first ever game through the First Time Fans initiative.

First Time Fans is run by Her Game Too and sponsored by EA Sports, with the aim of introducing new women and girls to live football in a welcoming and comfortable group environment.

The initiative launched in November last year and events have taken place at several clubs throughout the Premier League and English Football League, including Liverpool, Brentford, Brighton and Hove Albion, Plymouth Argyle, Port Vale, Sheffield Wednesday and Swindon Town – as well at Wembley for England vs Albania with Circuit Hospitality.

One of the latest events took place at Chelsea’s home game against Ipswich Town, and the mixed-age group met up with 99-year-old season-ticket holder Arnold to chat about being a Chelsea fan before kick-off.

Frankie Harrington, Chelsea’s Her Game Too Ambassador, co-hosted Ava-Marie, Neshali, Kayleigh and her daughter Leola, who had been chosen from an array of applicants after outlining why they wanted to attend their first ever game.

Frankie said: “I was so pleased that they all had such a positive experience and, with the help of Chelsea staff including Ethan, a supporter relations team member, the group met each other and myself by the iconic Shed Wall.

“We had ample time to walk and talk about the history of Chelsea, take a group photograph to mark the occasion, browse the megastore and enter the turnstiles to make their way to their seats.

“A huge thank you to my Her Game Too Chelsea Advocate, Sophie Spittle, who made sure the group were accommodated in the West Stand.

“Welcoming new female fans and experiencing their first football matchday was both exciting and insightful as to the perspectives and experience for a new fan arriving and watching a Chelsea match for the first time.”

The rollercoaster match saw Ipswich take a two-goal lead just after the half-hour mark, through goals from Julio Enciso and Ben Johnson, before Axel Tuanzebe’s own goal put Chelsea back in to contention and Jadon Sancho curled in an equaliser from a short-corner routine.

Kayleigh, who was accompanied by her daughter Leola, said: “I was a little apprehensive about taking my four-year-old daughter to a game but I needn't have been at all.

“The staff were kind, the facilities were great, we had a wonderful view - the stadium was far more intimate than I thought it would be - and my daughter had a great time.

“To be able to soak up the atmosphere with her was truly special and I don't think either of us will forget it.

“I hope Her Game Too continues to make football inclusive and inspire the next generation."

Ava-Marie was pleased experience such a dramatic game for her first ever match: “The atmosphere of Stamford Bridge was like nothing I've ever experienced.

“Through the highs and the lows the fans where there through it all.

“You can truly feel the heart in this sport and being at my home club really emphasised that.”

First Time Fan Neshali described the day as a “dream come true”.

She said: “Words can’t fully capture how surreal this experience was, especially if you’ve never been to a game before.

“The energy, the atmosphere, the passion - it was everything I imagined and more.

“I’m truly grateful to the community for making this possible and for the constant encouragement.

“I had an unforgettable time and will carry this memory with me forever - up the Blues!”

Her Game Too Advocate Sophie Spittle, who is a long-term Chelsea fan herself, found it rewarding to host the new supporters in their seats.

“It was great being able to see game day through the excitement of people who have never been before,” she said.

“I take coming to Chelsea for granted, and watching their excitement at just being at Stamford Bridge for a game was goosebumps-inducing.

“Walking with them to their seats and seeing their reactions to the stadium was great.

“Despite the score at half-time, they were still super excited and enjoying everything.

“It was a pleasure to meet them all, show them around and talk to them.”

Find out more about Her Game Too and the First Time Fans initiative at www.hergametoo.co.uk