Thread by @LondonSeawardFC

Today is #InternationalWomensDay, so we figure today is a good day to talk to you a bit about something that most non-female players don't even think about.

These things. Football socks.

Football socks are a certified enemy of women's football. Here's why. /1 #IWD23 #football

Let's start with the basics:

Women's feet are different to mens'. Everything from the heel-to-ball length, ball circumference. Ratio of medial and lateral malleoli heights. Our calf height/shape differs, too.

Loads of science on this. Google "women's feet."

(Wait, no don't)

This isn't a shocking new discovery. You will find science papers going back decades on how women's feet and legs are different to mens'.

So OBVIOUSLY this means women's football socks are designed for our feet, right?

HAHAHA no.

Because being male is treated as the default in everything from seatbelt design to medical research.

Why, would football socks be any different? As far as sports sock designers and suppliers are concerned, women are just men with smaller feet.

And that is a problem.

When you are training regularly, and playing seriously, you need equipment that fits.

Our football socks do. Not. Fit.

We either have to play in kids socks, or (effectively) resized men's socks, both of which are imperfect, chafe, bunch up, and tear/wear.

If we are not wearing socks that fit our feet - or boots for that matter (don't get us started on boots) - then we are not able to play to our potential. Worse, we are placing ourselves at a greater risk of injury.

For many players the fit is so bad that the only option is to cut the bottom of the football sock off ENTIRELY and just wear the top over a running sock or similar.

Look closely at the feet in pictures of women's matches.

Once you see it, you can't unsee it. Go look. We'll wait

All the above may sound petty and small. But the thing with everyday sexism is that it wears you down. It makes you feel an imposter.

Like pitch bookings, fixture swaps and more this is #everyGameSexism and it does the same.

Socks matter.

When you play in kit that doesn't fit, it is a CONSTANT reminder that the game thinks you are a second class citizen. No matter what nice words big brands and sports suppliers say.

At least with boots a few firms are starting to design differently.

We just want good socks, too.

Because in addition, for clubs like us (and our players) these things are financial barriers to competing.

Smaller mens' clubs can treat socks as a pool resource. We can't, as players need to cut them up or have to buy their own gear from wherever they've found a good fit.

If you are a brand or supplier that TRULY wants to show your support for women's football:

Make. Us. Good. Socks.

Boots too. But please, for the love of GOD, socks.

Every one of our players having boots and socks that fitted, with no additional drama, would be GAMECHANGING.

We LITERALLY offer a sponsor package, every season, for someone to be our boot and sock sponsor.

No one takes it up because they think it's somehow a minor thing, no matter how much we try and explain otherwise.

1 pair of boots and 2 pairs of socks per player. Life changing.

Anyway. Happy IWD everyone. Yay for women's football!

But if you learn one thing as a football fan today, let it be that socks matter. Because fix enough small things and you make a BIG difference.

And our boot/sock sponsorship is available for next season.

Just sayin' 😉💙⚓️

And a MASSIVE shoutout to all of our sponsors, who make it possible for us to play, compete and do what we love.

Your support makes a real difference, to us as a club, and to the lives of our players. #anchorsAway

/END

Oh, if you don't know us, we are an independent FAWNL team in East London.

"It's really important to show that you don't have to be a 'women's side'. Or 'this name's women's side.'

That you can just be the club that you are.

We are London Seaward."