Last season, Tottenham Women's revival was a bright spot for supporters, offering an antidote to the men's team's near-relegation. The women's side achieved their highest points tally in the Women's Super League, with highlights including a 7-2 win over Aston Villa, a dramatic FA Cup penalty shootout against London City Lionesses where the first 17 penalties were scored, and a 40-yard screamer from Cathinka Tandberg.
From crisis to connection
For fan Mark Burton, the split-screen experience of watching both teams was jarring. While the men's team struggled, his family became season-ticket holders for Tottenham Women three years ago, inspired by the Lionesses' 2023 World Cup run. The positive vibe at women's games contrasted sharply with the men's WhatsApp group meltdowns.
Key improvements under Martin Ho
Head coach Martin Ho's appointment last year transformed the team. He had been an assistant at Manchester United and head coach at Norwegian side Brann. Ho connected with fans by chatting in the Legends Lounge before games and instilled attacking, organised football. Players like Olivia Holdt (top scorer), Toko Koga (central defence), and January signing Signe Gaupset thrived. Existing players also improved after a disappointing 2024-25 season under Robert Vilahamn.
Strong performances and new signings
Tottenham were competitive throughout, though thumped by Manchester City. They finished fifth behind the dominant four clubs. Within days of season end, the club signed Netherlands international Caitlin Dijkstra from Wolfsburg, Germany's Shekiera Martinez from West Ham, Kirsty Hanson from Aston Villa, and Alice Sombath from Lyon. Departures included Bethany England (record goalscorer, not given a one-year extension) and Ashleigh Neville, who moved to Leicester.
Fan atmosphere and inclusivity
Fellow season-ticket holders bring deep football knowledge, with many having supported Spurs women since the Broxbourne Ladies days. The atmosphere is less hostile than men's games, with fans venting respectfully. Before each match, stands are decorated with banners featuring players adorned with Progress Pride flags, promoting LGBTQIA+ inclusion. The author notes that women's football, while slower, is fast-moving and lacks VAR, leading to occasional errors but a better fan experience.
