Thank you for taking the time to read this. Whether you’ve been supporting our work for a while or you’re new to Since 71, I’m grateful for your interest. If you’re just discovering us, then hopefully I can whet your appetite with what is in store for 2025.
This time last year, I was proud to share that Since 71 and Impetus were joining forces to create Impetus 71, utilising our great team of writers, presenters and photographers, united by our shared passion for the women’s game.
The decision to join forces stemmed from several factors, the most important being my admiration of their founder (and my friend), Ben Gilby and their incredible team.
Balancing my day job with becoming a father for the second time meant my time and focus would naturally shift towards family commitments. I realised I might not be able to provide the support our contributors deserved, and I hoped that collaborating with Impetus would offer the strength in numbers needed to allow me to focus on my own writing so I am not swamped in admin and editing.
However, as the months unfolded, I found that my capacity to contribute to Impetus 71 was more limited than I had anticipated. By March, I made the difficult decision to ask Ben and the editorial team to revert to their original banner as I didn’t feel that the 71 was bringing very much to the table and just confusing their large Australian audience.
Although the collaboration didn’t go as I had envisioned, it was a privilege to work alongside such a talented team of writers. I’m proud to remain a contributor to Impetus and look forward to continuing to support their success with a focus on the FA Women’s National League.
Meanwhile, Since 71 never truly disappeared. Despite the challenges of balancing life’s demands, I’ve continued to write and publish articles, albeit on a less frequent basis.
As my family commitments change, I’m excited about the prospect of returning to football writing on a more consistent basis. I plan to deliver more regular features and interviews, staying true to the reason I started Since 71: to share the stories of clubs and players in the women’s game.
Over the years, I’ve been inspired by the incredible work happening in women’s football. At times, I’ve even considered stepping aside, thinking the game’s growing momentum might not need my contributions anymore. However, I do believe that I have something to offer the women’s game and its supporters.
Building Since 71 has been a labour of love, and I’m proud to have created a platform that supports other passionate writers.
Whether you’re looking to break into sports media or simply want to share your love for the women’s game, I’d love to hear from you.
You can contact us via social media or email at contact@since-71.co.uk.
I am excited to have accepted the invitation to join the team of contributors to the All For Women’s Football YouTube channel. If you’re not already a subscriber then change that.
As we kick off 2025, I’m excited about the opportunities ahead and deeply grateful for the community that has supported us every step of the way. Thank you for being part of this journey.
