Moneyfields’ First Team Manager Karl Watson recently joined Jonathan Foster on the recently launched Investigates Women’s Football YouTube channel for an insightful conversation.
Jonathan is highly respected in the women’s football community for his exceptional work with All For United and his recent efforts with Stourbridge. He is now making a significant impact with Kidderminster Harriers’ media team.
During their discussion, the pair explored a range of topics, including the early structure of Moneyfields, the team’s development over the years, and its growth following the Lionesses’ historic victory at the Euros. With the rapid rise of the women’s game, Moneyfields has demonstrated a strong commitment to its women’s team by providing funding to transition them to a semi-professional status.
Reflecting on the club’s journey, Karl shared, “In the early years, I raised all the money myself. I drove the bus, cut the oranges, secured sponsorships, and handled all the administrative tasks. As we climbed through the leagues, the men’s club began to recognize the success we were achieving.
“Over time, we’ve been fortunate to receive excellent media coverage. Stu, who you mentioned earlier, has taken our media presence to new heights. We’ve also benefited from strong social media and innovative initiatives that have caught people’s attention. For example, I once organized a marching band on the pitch during our first-ever FA Cup game just to increase the club’s visibility.
“Initially, we operated as two separate entities under the club’s umbrella. But when we won the Euros, I approached the board and said, ‘I’m physically maxed out, and so is my team. It’s time to commit to an equal budget, unite under one umbrella, and truly operate as one club.’
“We agreed that within two years, we’d have equal budgets. In the first year, I used the initial funding to strengthen our infrastructure, hiring staff and covering their expenses so we could do things other clubs weren’t, like paying coaches. This year, with the revenue we generated and the leverage we had, we went semi-professional—and it’s made a world of difference.”
Equality in football is often touted by clubs, but the reality rarely matches the rhetoric. Women’s teams are seldom prioritized like their male counterparts. That’s why it’s refreshing to see Moneyfields’ men’s First Team Manager, Glen Turnbull, as one of the women’s team’s biggest supporters. With the entire club genuinely working toward the same goals, the future looks bright for this Portsmouth-based team. While competing with Pompey will always be a challenge, Moneyfields offers a compelling alternative for football fans in the city.
Karl also opened up about the pressures of managing the club, which many in similar roles can empathize with. He explained, “A lot of people don’t realize how much work a manager has to do beyond the games. We’re heavily involved in transfers, commercial activities, and more.
“Honestly, I always say no one should become a manager unless they’re a bit crazy. If you’re not in a paid position, it can take over your life. I’m fortunate to have sponsors this year who allow me one paid day a week in the office, but otherwise, it’s a 100-hour workweek—6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, including Christmas, birthdays, and holidays. Even on vacation, I’m taking calls by the pool while my wife sunbathes. You can’t half-do this job—it’s all-consuming.
“But the quality in this squad makes it all worthwhile. If you’ve never watched women’s football, I urge you to come along and see for yourself. While it’s the same sport, the women’s game has its own unique style due to differences in physicality. If you appreciate it for what it is, you’ll witness genuine, hardworking players delivering a creative and thrilling brand of football.
“Come and give it a try! If you’re not impressed, I’ll shake your hand with no hard feelings. But honestly, I think you’ll be hooked. For most people, one match is all it takes to keep them coming back. So, come down and have a look—I’m confident you won’t regret it!”
As someone passionate about the club, I might be a bit biased, but Moneyfields is doing incredible work on and off the pitch. I encourage anyone in the area to visit the John Jenkins Stadium and see for themselves the fantastic progress happening at the club.
You can watch the full conversation now…
