Stand-up comedian Maisie Adam presents her stand-up special where she discusses her love of football and her experience of the women’s game ahead of the Women's World Cup 2023.

For Maisie, football has always been there, even when all the signs have been screaming that this wasn’t a sport for her. At school, where the girls curriculum neglected football in favour of the skirt-adorning Hockey and Netball. In the park, where boys wouldn’t pass to girls “because they’ll lose the ball”. And in adult life, where the local sports centre advertises Men's 5-a-side, and women's Yoga.

But it’s a game where all you need is players and a ball. That’s it. Well, we have women. We have footballs. Time to pass the ball, lads.

In this first episode of the series, Maisie looks back on where it all began when she was a kid. She discusses what it was like being the 'girl' football fan, how her school didn't offer any opportunities for girls to play, and when she started to realise that ultimately football was an absolute sausage fest.

Written by and starring Maisie Adam

Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Co-ordinators: Caroline Barlow and Dan Marchini
Sound editor: David Thomas
Photo credit: Matt Crockett

A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

This programme was first broadcast in June 2023 Show less