ATMOSPHERE & ATTITUDES

There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere of a football match.

Singing and shouting fills the air, mixing with a heavy sense of tension and anticipation. Only a goal brings the occasional feeling of blessed relief.

Any given week can take fans somewhere new, with a rich combination of matchday sights, sounds and smells both familiar and unique.

Historic experiences of women fans show that the thrill of a matchday can be dampened not just by opposition players, but also the threat of negative attitudes and unfair treatment shown towards them.

Background Image: Sunderland fans at Roker Park in the 1980s.

Celebrating football fans, including a small number of women fans.
Background image of a black and white football scarf, representing Newcastle United.
Background image of a red and white football scarf, representing Sunderland..
A photo of Angela sat at the Stadium of Light. Angela wears a red hat and a red and white Sunderland scarf.
A photo of Angela sat at the Stadium of Light. Angela wears a red hat and a red and white Sunderland scarf.
Background image of a black and white football scarf, representing Newcastle United.
Background image of a red and white football scarf, representing Sunderland..
Photo of a Sunderland fan (Mary) waving a red flag in a football stadium
Photo of a Sunderland fan (Mary) waving a red flag in a football stadium

Looking down at the Gallowgate end, whenever there was any exciting part in the play it was like watching a waterfall.

Beatrice. Fan since the 1940s.

My first floodlight game was just wow! I can't really describe it.

The green of the pitch sort of jumped up and welcomed you.

Angela. Fan since the 1970s.

I loved it. I loved it...

But when I started going to matches with the lad I married, he was disgusted.

Beryl. Fan since the 1950s.

A few times I would say something, and they wouldn’t take it up or agree...

until a man said the same thing.

Mary. Fan since the 1960s.

Click the scarves below for more stories about the matchday experiences of Newcastle and Sunderland fans.

Tap the scarves below for more stories about the matchday experiences of Newcastle and Sunderland fans.

Despite the recent success of England’s Lionesses and a general, positive shift in attitudes, Durham University research shows that men holding overt and covert sexist views are still common in football.

Many of the women fans featured in this exhibition shared their experiences of sexism and misogyny and offered their opinions on how to challenge these issues.

Ongoing work led by Durham University, local police forces and the Premier League aims to ensure that football stadiums are safe, welcoming and inclusive for women fans. This involves introducing new methods for reporting gender-based abuse on matchdays and better co-ordinating efforts to develop evidence-based solutions to address sexism and misogyny.

We believe football can be an important force for positive social change and that our collective efforts are helping to inspire government policy to tackle these issues in society more widely.

Students from Durham's Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences have been reflecting on this research and their own experiences.

The slogans below reflect positive changes for women in football, but also the ongoing need to challenge negative attitudes and continue to work towards equality.

An image of two illustrated football flags. Both flags are red, white and black. One reads 'This is our team too' and the other reads 'In here we're all the same'.
Background image of a black and white football scarf, representing Newcastle United.
Photo of a group of five Newcastle fans in Wembley Stadium, holding a black and white flag reading 'Hebburn Mags'. Tracey is second from the right in the group.
Photo of a group of five Newcastle fans in Wembley Stadium, holding a black and white flag reading 'Hebburn Mags'. Tracey is second from the right in the group.
Background image of a black and white football scarf, representing Newcastle United.
Photo of a large group of Newcastle fans cheering in Covent Garden. Sisters Laura and Lynsey are in the middle of the group wearing black and white scarves and bucket hats.
Photo of a large group of Newcastle fans cheering in Covent Garden. Sisters Laura and Lynsey are in the middle of the group wearing black and white scarves and bucket hats.

I think it's good that women are coming forward now to share their experiences and they're taken seriously, because there was a terrible time.

I think there's a massive shift away from that now, sexism. I think it's just gradually improved.

Tracey. Fan since the 1990s.

I’d love to see a campaign for women in football, whether you support, play, or you just enjoy football.

I think they could do with more women in the boardroom, and behind the big ideas. 

Laura. Fan since the 1990s.

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