Millie Bright insists Lionesses can shine a spotlight on 'unacceptable situations' in the women's... (original) (raw)

Millie Bright insists Lionesses can shine a spotlight on 'unacceptable situations' in the women's game - a week after news Blackburn are set to pay players just £9,000-a-season

Published: 13:34 EST, 10 July 2024 | Updated: 13:58 EST, 10 July 2024

England vice-captain Millie Bright has insisted there needs to be a spotlight on ‘unacceptable situations’ in the women’s game and says the Lionesses will continue to stand up for what’s right.

While women’s football has witnessed significant growth since England won the Euros in 2022, further down the pyramid players are still encountering issues relating to pay and facilities.

Reading withdrew their women’s team from the Championship last month due to financial pressures across the club and last week Mail Sport revealed that Blackburn will pay their players just £9,000 a year next season.

Bright, who started her career with Doncaster Belles, has previously spoken about having to go on benefits after an ankle injury left her unable to play or do her part-time job.

The Chelsea defender spoke passionately when asked about the spotlight being shone on teams and players who are struggling further down the pyramid.

Millie Bright has urged football fans to shine a spotlight on issues in the women's game

Blackburn Rovers women's players will only be paid the UK minimum wage next season

‘No matter what league it is, every team deserves that spotlight,’ Bright said. ‘I think you can use that spotlight in more ways than one. I think it can be shone on places that maybe need improvements and need that support and need the backing of the whole women’s game.

‘I think that’s something that we see a lot, as a player you don't just represent your own team but you represent the whole community in the women’s game. I think we do need to stand up for each other.

‘I think we’ve seen a lot of situations that are just not acceptable in the women’s game and they just shouldn’t be happening. I would like to see the spotlight spread out and make sure that we are highlighting problems that need to be fixed and need to be better moving forward for the benefit of the women’s game.

‘It should never just be about the top leagues and the top teams because as much as they can keep succeeding, for the growth of the game it needs to be about all the teams - making sure that every team has the facilities, the backing, the funding, all the aspects of the game that you need to tick off and they need to be a high level for players to compete and grow and get better.

‘It is a full package, it’s not just about one or two teams. I’d like to see more of that and as players we’re always supportive.

‘A lot of us have experienced different parts of the game and now we have the luxury of having pretty much everything.

‘Yes, there’s still work to be done but I think comparing it to some of the more senior players’ experience, we’ve been through that as well where you don’t have everything, you’re maybe not treated in the right way, maybe dismissed a little bit if the facilities are poor.

‘But I think now we all stand up for what’s right and what’s needed and the bare minimum that should be accepted in the women’s game.’

Bright has linked up with the England squad ahead of facing Republic of Ireland and Sweden

Sarina Wiegman's (centre) side face two crucial ties in bid to qualify automatically for Euro 205

The Lionesses face two crucial games against the Republic of Ireland and Sweden as they bid to qualify automatically for Euro 2025.

Sarina Wiegman’s side must finish in the top two places to avoid dropping into the play-offs but currently sit in third place, with Sweden ahead in second on goal difference.

‘It's obviously a bit of a weird period, with the scheduling, but I think we've put ourselves in a great position to be well-prepared for two very important games,’ Bright said.

‘We’re raring to go, and I think we're really excited. We’ve had a good couple of weeks of solid sessions and really working on different parts of our game. We're chomping at the bit a little bit, we've been counting the days down and we’re finally here and like I said, we’ve been putting in the work, and we're just ready to go now.’