Co-manager Emma Hunter says Aberdeen must do the right things “week in and week out” if they are to keep growing the women’s game.
Aberdeen Women played their second-ever game at Pittodrie last weekend, where they made history by beating Glasgow Women 2-0 to secure their first win at the stadium.
The Dons, who normally play their home games at Cove Rangers’ Balmoral Stadium, were supported by 1,652 fans who watched on from the Main Stand against Glasgow.
Aberdeen co-boss Hunter was delighted with the turnout at Pittodrie and hopes that some of those fans will start to regularly attend their SWPL 1 home matches.
But she says that if fans are to do that then the club must be consistent with how they are trying to grow the women’s game – which involves more than playing at Pittodrie.
‘Week in and week out’ commitment will grow the women’s game
Hunter said: “The biggest challenge has always been because of other bookings and how things work, our kick-offs out at Cove are always a bit later on on a Sunday.
“It’s not ideal, especially at this time of year when it’s getting colder, so it’s important that we do things so fans keep coming back to Balmoral.
“At Aberdeen I think we’re renowned for having a really good sized crowd at Balmoral at the moment and I’m really proud of the fanbase that we have already.
“But we keep talking about how women’s football needs to grow – and not just when we have these big events or when we play at Pittodrie – but more on a week-to-week basis.
“We need to make sure that we’re doing the right things week in and week out because that’s how we’ll make the biggest difference in growing the game.”
The Aberdeen co-manager hopes the game at Pittodrie shows there is a big interest in women’s football in the north and north-east.
Hunter added: “What we hope is that the game at Pittodrie shows that there is a real appetite for the women’s game up here in and around Aberdeen.
“I know that some of our players are going out to youth clubs to do presentations at trophy nights, so just things like that help to promote the game.
“We did a signings day with the first team, so if we keep doing these events we can become more visible and that’ll entice more people to come along to our games.”
Meeting fans at Pittodrie was a ‘special moment’
After the 2-0 win at Pittodrie, Aberdeen players spent the best part of 30 minutes signing autographs and taking pictures with fans.
Hunter believes seeing fans wearing Aberdeen Women shirts with players’ names on the back will remind players what it means to be a role-model for the club.
She said: “Seeing all the boys and girls with their Aberdeen Women shirts on with the players’ names on the back, it was a really special moment for us all.
“That should be the biggest inspiration for the players. If that doesn’t motivate you to go and be the best version of yourself on the pitch on a Sunday then nothing will.
“They’re representing every person who has decided to get their name on the back of a shirt when they step out onto the pitch and play for Aberdeen.
“With that stature comes responsibility, so they need to make sure they’re stepping out with even more pride wearing that jersey.”