You have probably been a AWFC supporter for a long time. Easily longer than I have been one, I would bet. My educated guess is also that you probably have attended A LOT of matches at Borehamwood, at The Emirates or at Wembley. I say it’s an educated guess because I can see the location of my readers and 99% of you are in the UK or The Netherlands.
Whenever I think of “going to a match” I’m overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude and joy for those of you that can actually go. I’ve been spoiled as a professional musician and a music fan here in Los Angeles, where I have been able to watch some legendary and unique shows in some unreal venues. It’s magical, it’s mesmerizing and depending of how in tune I am with my memory, I can remember so many details of so many shows.
But as far as women’s football, it’s just not easy to go across the ocean and watch a match. There’s so much money involved, work that we need to shuffle, cost of opportunity, unplanned expenses, food, lodging, the armoury… you name it. For us that are lucky enough to make the trip, we have to plan it so much in advance. However, as a musician it is impossible to plan. We thrive on the unpredictability of our lives, of our industry and our bank account status.
I look at people in the stands, at the lunch box, sorta tucked away in the parking lot and I just say to myself: these people are so privileged and I’m so happy they are there.
We have heard people say over and over that they don’t regret anything. That attitude is so revered and seen often as this standard that we all have to adhere to, but i don’t agree with that sentiment all the time. I absolutely have regrets and quite frankly, my biggest regret in football terms is never going to Highbury when I could’ve. I have a hard time emotioanlly whenever I think about that and I feel like I cannot forgive myself. Sounds harsh but I feel that way. That regret though, pushed me to try to, as my wife always says: “not miss the events.”
A couple of years ago I decided to make a pilgrimage and planned a very involved trip to the FA Cup final vs Chelsea, and I was going to go the CL match vs Barcelona, one of the men’s games and one last match at Borehamwood. I planned it all, and when I say “I” i mean MY WIFE planned it all. I was all set. So exciting…
I get on the plane, crying of joy. When I land, i turn my cell phone on and i get a message asking me if I wanted to perform with Miley Cyrus. Needless to say, I took the gig. I was able to watch the final at Wembley and it was such an incredible experience. Beyond the result, the amount of joy I felt was unlike anything i had ever felt. Yet, my mind and heart were all over the place due to the job offer. It was a lot. And honestly, i don’t think i have processed it yet.
All this to say that I will try by best to not make Borehamwood into the Highbury that never was, but to enjoy it tenfold and cherish it.
But I consider myself lucky… I can travel, I can more or less afford a trip but there are SOOOOOOOO many people that can’t. Maybe distance is the issue… There are insanely big fans out there like @argsenal or @spanishawfc among many others that live very, very far away who love the club so much and know much more about it that I could ever do.
So, next time you go there and watch the girls play, think about how incredibly cool that is. You’re living our dream. Cherish it.
d ❤
Listen to THAT ARSENAL WOMEN PODCAST on:
A very subjective look into AWFC 
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