Manchester City and England defender Esme Morgan says players should not be made to feel bad when they are unable to meet every fan after a England or WSL fixture, despite loving the interactions with those supporters.
On Sunday, Mary Earps posted on social media after receiving some negative messages when she was unable to meet every last fan after Manchester United’s WSL win over Everton.
Meanwhile, at England’s most recent home game – a 2-1 win over Scotland to start their Nations League campaign – fans outside were seen unfairly chanting “Get off the bus” when the Lionesses were set to depart afterwards, despite already taking the time to greet fans at the final whistle.
Lionesses fans chanting ‘get off the bus’ after the game is a new level disrespect 😯 pic.twitter.com/i7gjQGMB4p
— Charlotte Wilkins (@cwilkins_8) September 22, 2023
It was once commonplace for most fans to be able to interact with players after matches in a way that men’s football cannot offer, the growth of the women’s game is changing that. Although players still try to engage with as many as they can to show their gratitide for the support, the numbers are simply too big and these negative experiences, where players are taking the direct backlash from fans left disappointed they can’t always meet their heroes, are increasingly common.
Morgan, who joined the senior England setup after the Euro 2022 win – a direct catalyst for the accelerated attendance growth – says it is unrealistic to be able to meet every fan after a game.
“We love being able to go over and make someone’s day and see how excited people get. But with the growth of the game now, it’s just not really realistic and feasible for us to get round and see everyone,” the City defender explained with regard to what is a hard situation.
“It’s difficult when, sometimes, maybe some fans feel like the expectation is that they’re going to get to meet you. In years gone by, that might have been an option. Not as many fans were coming to the games, so you might be able to get round everyone,” she added.
Last season, the WSL saw a 200% increase in game attendance after 87,192 fans at Wembley Stadium watched the Lionesses beat Germany 2-1 to seal England’s first major international trophy.
In 2014, the Lionesses set an initial record of 45,619 fans when they beat Germany 3-0 at Wembley. Despite crowds for England games, the WSL rarely saw much of the knock on effect. In that same year, the average WSL attendence was 748, rising to 1,076 in 2015.
In 2022/23, the average WSL attendance was 6,000. Already this season, Arsenal broke the league attendance record in their opening fixture against Liverpool, seeing 54,115 fans witness the game.
“It’s obviously become a lot more difficult now with the growth of the game,” Morgan continued.
“You try and connect in different ways – doing social media things and interacting with people on there and replying to comments and stuff is another way of doing it, but in person after games is definitely becoming a lot more difficult.”
The 23-year-old defender garnered social media attention after posting TikTok videos amassing 1.6m views, making friendship bracelets for her teammates whilst away in Australia with England for the 2023 Women’s World Cup over the summer.
The tournament runner-up recieved tons of messages from fans asking if they could have or buy one of her bracelets. As a way to spread joy with fans and support Sheffield Children’s Hospital – where Morgan’s injuries were treated as child – she auctioned some of her bracelets online for fans to win.
The defender insisted on how much she loves meeting fans and being able to interact with them. Morgan still recalls being a kid in the stands, itching to meet her idol after attending her first Manchester City men’s game when she was three. Getting her season ticket aged five, She regularly waited after matches to try and snap a selfie or get a signature off her favourite players.
The nature of some that flock to WSL games has become one of entitlement, with a section of fans believing they will automatially receive a selfie or signature post-match, rather than considering it a bonus. The negative attention on fan interaction can spoil the occasion, Morgan said.
“It’s something that we know fans really enjoy and we absolutely want to keep it in the game,” the 23-year-old explained. “We want to keep meeting people but it’s obviously not a pleasant experience if someone like Mary for example, who spends a hell of a lot of time meeting fans – she’s so patient, gets home and she’s missed one person and then has to deal with a torrent of abuse about it.
Mary Earps kept a clean sheet in a 5-0 win yesterday, gave up her time afterwards to engage with fans and still got home to nasty stuff like this because it was impossible to get to everyone. Mary has always been one of the most generous with her time when she absolutely doesn’t… pic.twitter.com/M1SLITkgi4
— Jamie Spencer (@jamiespencer155) October 23, 2023
“I think that’s a big shame and would put you off wanting to do it. I think it’s nice that we can celebrate the interaction we have with fans but I think it’s difficult that, if it’s an expectation, players shouldn’t be made to feel bad about not getting round everyone because it can be difficult.”
As a response to the surge in people going to WSL games and hoping to come away with souvenirs, Manchester City have introduced a new system ‘Autograph Alley’ at the start of this season designed to put more control on the quest for pictures and signatures.
Instead of players meeting fans in their droves surrounding the hoardings after a match – a health and safety concern for the club – supporters are now selected at random to receive a wristband, which will allow them access to a sectioned off area behind the west stand of City’s Joie Stadium.
It ensures everyone with a wristband will meet selected first-team players, but means those not picked miss out on the chance. However, given the overwhelming nature of meeting fans after a game, Morgan believes this introduction is the best way forward.
“It’s a lot nicer for us as players actually because it’s a much calmer situation and atmosphere. Sometimes when you go around the edge of the crowd, you’re kind of getting screamed at and having things thrust in your face,” the player said of the initiative.
“I think the way City have set it up, it’s a lot less chaotic and it’s a lot more structured and organised.
“It’s a really nice way to meet everyone and you can spend a little bit more time chatting to people because not everyone is sort of screaming or going a bit crazy around you, because sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming when there’s such huge crowds and you feel bad leaving knowing there’s another hundred people down the row that you can’t get to.”
Morgan, who has been with City since her youth career began in 2015, has not directly experienced fans being upset with her personally over not being able to meet them but understands their frustration when the Lionesses or WSL players are unable to get around everyone.
The 23-year-old added that players try their best, but it is not possible to see everyone.
“It’s hard when there’s so many people. You’re going along the line, signing things and meeting people, and then get called away by security or like we’ve got to get on the bus home at some point,” she joked.
“Otherwise we’d be out there all night. At some point you’ve got to go and then people are shouting: ‘I want this, you’ve not seen me yet’ and I feel bad because I have gone up to here [in the line] and if you’re the next person, you’re so close and you are missing out.
“I’m sure at that age I would have been disappointed and so gutted that I was so close to meeting one of my heroes. But as we’ve said, the growth of the game now there’s just so many more people interested and so many more people come to the games and are passionate and want to meet people that it’s just not possible for us to get round it all.”
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