Well that wraps up another WSL season and before we get to the excitement of an FA Cup Final I wanted to post a thank you message to everyone who has helped us grow and flourish this footballing year.

SheGulls: First and foremost I have to thank my friends and colleagues from SheGulls and of course the SheGulls Podcast. Without Ben, Claire and Aby there simply wouldn’t be regular discussion and weekly content for BHAFC Women’s Team fans to engage with. In truth there might not even be a SheGulls full stop. I would also like to shout out Joe, our long time producer, who stepped away a few months back. His dedication to the cause from day one will never go unappreciated.

Our Backers: I want to thank those who have made a contribution to SheGulls this season as we continue to incur new costs and ever increasing existing ones. Put simply, their faith in us allows everyone else to benefit, and that should never go without mention. I will always say – without you – there is no SheGulls. They might be too shy to admit involvement but Ben (aka OB), Jess, Jo and Tim, thank you all so very much from the bottom of my heart.

The Albion: There is almost too many people to mention from the club, so apologies if I forget someone! To Tom & Marnie who have been a great help in liaising and assisting the supporters clubs and Jenny who has given them and us the scope to start making progressive strides. We know we can help, so thank you for consulting with us and including us. To Millie for always willing to have a conversation with us when we arrive for games and motivating us to get the crowd going. To Heather and Bruce in the Media department for really allowing me the opportunity to try to bring everyone a new and unique perspective on our team. To Dario for tolerating my questions on a weekly basis, even when I lose the ability to form words and for being so gracious in the midst of an unimaginable loss. To Chris for stepping in when he was needed the most and for putting everyone on his back through a challenging time. To every member of staff who has worked on the women’s game for the club this year – thank you!

The Team: Without the team we are nothing. It has been a real privilege to watch our incredible athletes compete this year – we’ve all been on a journey – and it’s been a heck of a ride! I’m so pleased it will end with an appearance at the home of football, Wembley Stadium, because it feels like the absolute least they deserve. Let’s all go one more time unto the breach and bring home that silverware!

The Fans: There are many reasons why SheGulls exists, but the number one has to be you the fans. When I started SheGulls in August 2023 there was no supporters club, no real community, no group or multi-platform social media presence you could interact with on a regular basis. What we created was a resource, a starting point, a go-to place for Brighton women’s team fans to engage with Brighton women’s team content. The fact you all continue to do so is such an honour, and I know Ben, Claire and Aby feel the same way. The fact we paved the way for some of what has come since is equally important to us and we will always encourage people to push forward in the pursuit of enriching the fanbase – particularly as we look ahead to the new stadium.

If I have forgotten anyone please do let me know. I am approaching 40 very soon and I hear from some of you that’s when the mind starts to go! I look forward to seeing many of you at the FA Cup Final – please do come and say hello if you do see a large chap in the SheGulls cap – because that’ll be me.

Until then, thank you.

Duncan