Women's Football to receive boost

4th May 2011

Women's Football will receive a boost after the FA Cup Final at the Ricoh Arena

FORMER Arsenal striker Karen Carney believes women’s football in the Midlands will receive a major boost following the staging of The FA Women’s Cup Final at the Ricoh Arena.

The 23-year-old, who is currently playing for Birmingham City in the Women’s Super League, is looking forward to watching her old club take on Bristol Academy in the final sponsored by E.ON on Saturday, May 21 (kick-off 2pm).

Karen was coached by Arsenal manager Laura Harvey from the age of 11 when she played for the Birmingham county and won two FA Cup finals against Charlton and Leeds while she was a Gunner.

“The FA Women’s Cup is the biggest event in the women’s calendar and since it is the biggest it always attracts a big crowd and plenty of media interest,” said the current England international.

“This will be good for Coventry and will raise the profile of women’s football even more. It will be massive to encourage younger girls to become involved in the sport.

“I have played at the Ricoh before in a charity all-stars game as part of their official opening celebrations and it is a lovely stadium.

“We need a good cup competition and a strong league just like the men because then you have two big tournaments which everyone is passionate about.”

Karen played against Bristol Academy in their first game of the season when Birmingham emerged 4-0 winners but she is predicting a close final.

“We played very well on the day but Bristol have a good goalkeeper and back four and in fact they are strong throughout the team,” she said.

“To have reached a cup final shows they are a good team and I think they will do well.

“I think Arsenal will start as favourites but in a cup game you don’t know what’s going to happen – Arsenal could have an off day. Cup football is so unpredictable.”

X Factor finalist Paije Richardson will be providing the half-time entertainment.