While it may be alluring to idealize Bill Shankly’s renowned statement, it’s important to recognize that he was mistaken. Football is not more significant than life or death, and over the years, many have taken the former Liverpool manager’s words too literally, thus forgetting that the essence of the sport is to enjoy it for its primary purpose: fun.
Whether it’s clubs sending formal complaints due to a referee’s error—after all, referees are fallible like the rest of us—or the outrage on social media when a pundit shows bias toward their former team, isn’t it about time we relaxed a little?
For three sunny afternoons along the Thames, an end-of-season seven-a-side women’s football tournament emerged as a refreshing departure from the overly serious aspects of contemporary football. Forget about VAR, PSR, or debates surrounding the importance of expected goals (xG); this event was all about scoring, laughter, and plenty of goals.
The third installment of World Sevens Football, featuring eight English teams and culminating in a thrilling final won by Chelsea with an astonishing 11 goals, delivered what players were yearning for: enjoyment. On the field, skillful players like Manchester United’s Melvine Malard and Jess Park dazzled in this format, showcasing their flair and sharp shooting, while Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones, the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, skillfully outmaneuvered defenders.
Teams also entertained with carefully choreographed walk-on routines that varied from humorous to the peculiar. Everton’s players humorously pretended to give birth, while Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor was carried onto the pitch by her team. Meanwhile, Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner made a memorable entrance in a dressing gown, and even the referees joined in on the fun.
Not everyone appreciated this lighthearted approach. Certain viewers, perhaps confusing the event with a World Cup final, voiced their displeasure on social media, believing that the women were not conducting themselves appropriately. One user on X commented on a video of Aston Villa players dancing, stating, “The organizers of this have genuinely set them back years.” Another added, “Unfortunately, women’s football won’t ever be taken seriously.” It seems that while football has dealt with “celebration police,” we now have “walk-on police.”
Criticism didn’t come solely from those who disapprove of women’s football. Andy Spence, a respected figure in the women’s game and former Everton women’s manager, reacted to a viral video of Everton players staging a mock funeral for their on-loan full-back Hannah Blundell, stating, “What is going on? The women’s game has made such progress, but these ‘tournaments’ and the narrative around them are threatening the integrity and hard work people have put in to gain wider acceptance for women’s football. Please stop. This is embarrassing.”
While everyone is entitled to their viewpoint, this playful tournament accomplished three vital objectives for women’s football. First, it expanded the teams’ visibility; one clip of Beever-Jones’s amusing walk-on was viewed over 11 million times on Dazn’s Instagram. Second, it attracted much-needed investment, with $500,000 (£372,000) awarded to the winners. Finally, it drew a sold-out crowd of 3,000 to the final on Saturday. Future events will need to aim for larger capacities to ensure profitability, but given that Chelsea’s participation was announced just ten days prior, this sellout is a promising sign for organizers. Jennifer Mackesy, co-founder of World Sevens Football, expressed her delight, stating, “The response from fans in London has blown us away.”
The tournament also offered players a welcome break after a demanding season. As Everton’s interim head coach Scott Phelan remarked, “The majority of it is about enjoyment and allowing players to express themselves and relish football in its purest form.”
However, the event was not without its flaws. Some teams were dissatisfied with Chelsea and Manchester United receiving access to the regular changing rooms at Brentford, while the remaining six teams had to use smaller temporary facilities due to the seeding for the group stage. This discrepancy will need to be addressed in future iterations.
More concerning was the unfortunate news for West Ham and defender Tuva Hansen, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Additionally, Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce will miss upcoming matches for the United States due to injury. Such incidents may lead some fans to question whether the fun was worth the risk. The tournament will also face challenges in finding suitable dates in an increasingly crowded football calendar. Nevertheless, the engagement enjoyed by broadcast partners Sky Sports and Dazn suggests a promising future for this format.
Regarding the walk-ons, fans embraced them as enthusiastically as they would a perfectly executed half-volley. Mackesy noted, “With the joy, the walkouts, and the celebrations, we are not sacrificing the quality of football on the pitch. The players are incredibly focused on winning this tournament… It demonstrates that you can do both and allow fans to experience these athletes in a different light.”
Fans may look forward to witnessing some of the dynamic, attacking play showcased at this event in their 11-a-side seasons. It is undoubtedly a more enjoyable experience for players than adopting a defensive stance and hoping for a draw. Julie Uhrman, a technology entrepreneur and co-founder of the Los Angeles-based NWSL club Angel City, stated, “There’s pressure to win an 11-a-side game, so you tighten up. Here, they can play more freely, and the results speak for themselves. Why wouldn’t you want to bring that mentality back to the 11-a-side game and say, ‘I perform better when I’m free’?”
