OXFORD United Women were meant to face AFC Bournemouth today, looking to make it five wins out of five to start the season.
The Queen’s death and the subsequent postponement of this weekend’s matches changed that, preventing the U’s from ending their week on a high.
In the last seven days, United have maintained their perfect record in FA Women’s National League Southern Premier and Liam Gilbert was named manager of the month for August.
READ MORE: Ex-Oxford United Women player appointed general manager
There was also a significant development off the pitch, as Gemma Sims returned to the U’s as general manager.
Part of the ex-defender’s remit is to promote the development of women’s football ‘within the club but also in the women’s game more widely’.
It shows the two ways to measure success at United Women, on-pitch results and off-pitch progress, and the latter is so important.
Gilbert’s side have built on last season’s second-place finish with a flawless start to the campaign, cementing their position as title front-runners in Southern Premier.
Crowds are growing steadily, with 259 people watching the opening-day victory over Bridgwater United – a 70 per cent increase on their first home fixture of 2021/22.
This is partly thanks to England’s European Championship win, arguably the sporting moment of the summer in this country, but you would hope numbers keep rising if the U’s continue their good form.
We should see a similar phenomenon in the Women's Super League, albeit on a much larger scale.
The top division was due to kick-off this weekend with games at high-profile venues like the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Stamford Bridge and Brighton & Hove Albion's Amex Stadium.
Exposure is so important for growing the game and this is surely the time for United Women to play another fixture at the Kassam Stadium.
READ MORE: Liam Gilbert named manager of the month for August
United had 505 fans attend a Wednesday-night draw with Southampton at the RAW Charging Stadium this March and there would surely be a good chance of surpassing that following England’s exploits this summer.
It would need to be marketed properly and played in a week where the men’s team were not in action, but it would be a great platform for the women’s game regardless.
As usual, the fact that United do not own Grenoble Road could complicate the chances of getting a game on.
But a well-marketed, well-attended fixture at a Sky Bet League One ground would be a strong indication that the women’s game is growing in Oxfordshire.