IWD TODAY

I hope you have noticed that it is International Women's Day today. What better therefore than to mention the most influential women in British Football. In no particular order:

Jacqui Oatley a freelance broadcaster was the first women to work on Match of the Day, contributing since 2007. She has worked on BBC and ITV using her knowledge as a qualified FA Coach to support her observations. She has also promoted the organisation Women in Football.

Vicky Kloss is the Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester City and that includes the sister clubs New York City FC and Melbourne Heart, working on their behalf for 13 years. Recently she was banned from the tunnel in an FA Cup tie against Notts County....not wise.

Kelly Smith is probably the best known English women's footballer, playing for England 115 times, Arsenal and starring in the American Pro League. She has been elected to the top FIFA team five times. You may find more about her in a previous blog.

Hope Powell has long been a servant to British football coaching England and GB and holds the UEFA Pro Licence, the first to do so. Amy Fearn was the first to referee in the Football League, a game between Coventry and Notts Forest in 2010.

Karren Brady has been the MD at Birmingham City since 23 years old. She is now VC at West Ham Utd, has been CEO of the Year voted by the magazine fc business.

Heather Rabbatts is a non executive director at the FA and also acts for Millwall FC. A barrister she has been the first women on the  FA Board, particularly on the Inclusion Advisory Board.

Casey Stoner is England captain and plays for the Arsenal Ladies. She sits on the FA  amazement Committee and played for GB in the 2012 Olympics.

Kelly Simmons is a director of the National Game and has been a Game Changer, also she has an MBE for her services to national football. She also sits on the UEFA Grassroots Panel and the FIFA Woems Committee. 

Let me throw in also Margaret Byrne CEO Sunderland FC, FA Council, Premier League Advisory Board, FA International Committee.

Karen Wilmington senior women in Sky Sports News since its inception. 

Sian Massey Premier League Assistant Referee, World Champions League Final and Euros Final, remember she was the target by the well known Richard Keys and Andy Gray debacle in 2011.

Caroline McAteer a sports journalist who remade beckham's image after 1998 and also promoted Freddie Ljungberg's underpants advert, PR for Walcott and Drogba too.

Kenny Dalglish's wife Marina should be championed for her work towards Cancer Care and Margaret Aspinall who works tirelessly on behalf of the Hillsborough Support Group.