'Pinch-me moment' as Derby women's shirts go on sale

The captain of a women's football team has said it was a "pinch-me moment" to see the team's football shirts on sale.

Since Wednesday, Derby County Women home shirts have been available to buy at the club's store at Pride Park Stadium.

Emily Joyce, captain of the team - which is known as the Ewe Rams - said: "The young players coming through now can look up to that, and see our names in the shop."

Fans have described the women's team shirt being put on sale for the first time as a "massive step" and a "proud moment".

Joyce, who is also a lifelong Derby fan, said: "For me personally - and for a few others - [we] are through-and-through Derby supporters and to see your name on the model is lovely.

"It's really nice to see our names up in the shop alongside the men. It's a bit of a pinch-me moment really."

She added: "I think it shows how much the game has grown.

"Now some of the younger girls can be seeing the names of us in the shop and have our names instead of the men - it is a really nice thing to think of.

"It's that one-club feel and feeling like we really are part of Derby County."

Supporter Simran Atwal, 22, from Chellaston in Derby, said the move showed the team was respected by the club and fans.

She said: "I think it must be amazing for the women's team themselves, amazing for the fans who wanted to be able to buy a kit with their name on.

"It just shows the club is taking women's football just as seriously as it takes men's football."

Ms Atwal is also part of Her Game Too, a campaign aimed at tackling sexism in football.

In March 2023, Derby County "fully integrated" its women's team into the club, with players and coaching staff being handed contracts for the first time.

Before that, the Ewes - who play in the third tier of English women's football - were associated to the club but run by volunteers.

Last week, Derby County also announced it was partnering with Her Game Too.

Lifelong Rams fan Amelia Warren, from Stenson Fields, said she was "really proud".

"You see the teams in the Women's Super League (WSL) doing it, you've got your Arsenal, Tottenham, Man City, those kind of teams, but it doesn't happen in your lower leagues, even in the Championship it is not something you tend to see," she said.

"So I think it is a really proud moment."

The 21-year-old added: "I think I actually prefer it to the men's shirt.

"Being a woman myself, it is about having the better fit but I think it looks cleaner.

"With the sponsor being with the university as well, that gives it something local to have and be proud of."

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