ONE WEEK ago Lewes FC women’s team welcomed their counterparts from Everton for an FA Cup match and had nearly 1,000 spectators through the door at their Dripping Pan ground.

They were up against full time opposition and although they lost 6-0 the huge attendance shows how far they have come.

Karen Dobres, who works in marketing for Lewes FC, said: “Some 975 people came to see Lewes FC at home to Everton ladies in the FA Cup fifth round.

“Sadly, we didn’t win the match against the full-time professional team but the girls certainly didn’t disgrace themselves and they made the event truly special.

“It was awesome to see so many people around the pitch supporting our fantastic females

“We are making great strides at Lewes FC, being the first ever club to pay its female players the same wages as the men’s, but elsewhere women are still having to claw their way to equality.

“Just look at the female Olympic bobsleigh team getting their funding cut.”

Mica McNeill and Mica Moore, from Nottingham, had to crowdfund their way to the 2018 Olympics after their funding was cut without warning.

Financial support for the three men’s teams remained in place, but mismanaged finances by the British Bobsleigh Skeleton Association meant despite McNeill winning gold at the junior championships their £50,000 was gone.

Mica and Mica had to beg on social media for funding.

The power of the people pulled through and the pair produced the best ever result by a British women’s team.

Karen said: “This is just another example of how uneven the playing field is for women in sport.

“This is why as well as appealing to male football supporters to come to the women’s matches, we’ve been targeting women in the local community to come along and show support for the girls.

“Our message has been: ‘You may not like football, but you might like to support other women.’

“It’s been working because more and more women have been coming to our games, which is partially what led to so many spectators last weekend.

“A quote on our Facebook page from Kelly Shephard sums it up: ‘I can’t claim to know the offside rule or even be able to name players for a fantasy football team, but hearing about Equality FC (paying females the same as males) has really sparked my interest in football.

“I even find myself checking the post match scores and watching the league tables.

“I may not be a pundit yet but even I can tell that the young women on the pitch are extremely talented athletes who deserve a fair game.’

The mens’ team at Lewes FC is supporting the women.

Darren Freeman, the mens’ first team manager, said: “We use the same pitch, the same facilities, the same balls. As football fans we all want our team to win regardless of gender. Parity means giving everyone the same opportunity and getting the same reward.

“Some of the women who come to our matches may not be able to relate to the game but the experience is still powerful.

“On the pitch women see strong, powerful, competitive women, something we don’t always get to, or are ‘supposed to’ express.

“This doesn’t happen in men’s football as men are used to seeing their gender being strong and powerful, in the boardroom, in all walks of life.

“Our female players are remarkably resilient, making them great role models.

“Our captain Kate MacIntyre is notorious for getting up time and time again after painful tackles, and just carrying on, even with an injury.

“I tell people: ‘If you want to see Maya Angelou’s poetry performed live, go to a Lewes FC female football match. (‘You may trod me in the very dirt, But still, like dust, I’ll rise’).

Kate MacIntyre said: “What was it like running out in front of nearly a thousand fans?

“It was great to see so many people at the pan supporting us, for me to lead the team out was amazing!

“Never pulling out of tackles is part of the game.

“I’ll make the challenges and take the challenges as long as it means the team does well.

“We’re hoping for even more supporters this Sunday at our ‘Unlock the gate’ game against Gillingham Ladies.

“The match is celebrating 100 years since women got the vote.

“As well as an awesome game on the pitch, the legendary female Webop choir will be singing before the match and at half time, there’ll be a prosecco and cake bar, a nail bar, kids activity zone as well as the bar and food stalls.”

On Sunday, tickets are available on the gate.