Some episodes capture a moment in a season.
Others capture a moment in the growth of the game.
Originally released in May 2022, this roundtable with Sutton United Women’s players Cindy, Gabby, Fern and Darcy came at a pivotal point in their season as they pushed for promotion. While the league table and promotion picture have long since moved on, the conversation itself remains just as relevant.
Because this isn’t just an episode about results.
It’s about what it’s really like to be a female footballer in 2022, and many of the challenges discussed still exist today.
We talk about the season, the pressure of chasing promotion and the belief that this Sutton United side was capable of competing at a higher level. The players reflect on the importance of team spirit, why the dressing room was so close-knit and how long-standing partnerships, particularly in defence, helped create stability on the pitch.
But the football is only part of the story.
One of the most interesting parts of the conversation centres on life away from matchdays. The players speak openly about social media, the abuse they receive online and the double standards that female footballers continue to face. Whether it’s criticism for wearing make-up, posting photos or simply making a mistake during a match, they describe an environment where their performances are often judged differently from those of their male counterparts.
Rather than allowing it to divide them, they explain how the squad supports one another, often laughing off the worst comments together and making sure nobody deals with it alone.
It’s an honest reminder that footballers are people first.
The discussion also explores the wider growth of the women’s game. We talk about investment, attendances and why comparing the men’s and women’s games without acknowledging decades of lost development misses the bigger picture. The players explain why progress takes time, why visibility matters and why simply getting more people through the gates can make a genuine difference.
There are lighter moments too.
From dressing room chemistry and friendships to balancing football with work, relationships and everyday life, the episode paints a picture of a group of players who genuinely enjoyed representing Sutton United and each other.
Listening back today, it’s interesting to see how far both Sutton United Women and the wider women’s game have continued to develop. Some of the conversations belong firmly to the spring of 2022, but many of the themes remain just as important.
Perhaps that’s what makes this episode worth revisiting.
It’s not simply about a promotion race from four years ago.
It’s about the people behind the shirts, the realities of playing women’s football and the passion that continues to drive the game forward.
Whether you listened when it was first released or are discovering it for the first time, this remains one of the most open and honest conversations in the Sutton Podcast archive.
Share this post