6-part audio docuseries on women's football around the world.
Through interviews with 23 women's football insiders, Not Small Men looks at fandom, finances, players, the role of men, world perspectives and the future of the game.
Presented by Charlie Dobres, former Director at Lewes FC, one of the world's most pioneering football clubs.
Dr Sadia Sheikh founded DIYA FC in Pakistan, in 2002. It started life as a football centre for young girls & women, and has developed into a highly successful academy that not only coaches football, and runs a team in the National Women Football Championship, but changes girls' lives. This inspirational interview was recorded in late 2024.
16 Apr 2025
Interview 2 - Moya Dodd
Moya Dodd believes that women's football "should be given its own head".She is a Lawyer and Sports Consultant, Co-Chair at Common Goal, member of the Women's Leagues Forum. She has also been a FIFA ExCo and AFC ExCo member. As a player, she was vice Captain of the Matildas.Her views on women's football and its governance are a must-hear for anyone who cares about the integrity and future of the women's game.
14 Apr 2025
Interview 1 - Sue Campbell
Baroness Sue Campbell became the FA Director of Women's Football in 2016. She created and oversaw implementation of the roadmap for developing the women's game, that set it firmly on the path to professionalisation and success.
This very candid interview was recorded in late Summer 2024 and was the final full-length interview she gave before stepping down from her role in December 2024.
9 Apr 2025
6. The Future
If the future of women's football is left to 'market forces', then it risks becoming just a version of the men's game. Because the 'market' is dominated by men's football and the money to which it has access. In this final episode, we look at the optimal conditions needed to create a strong, authentic women's game that benefits every club and every player, not just the elite.
Guests (in order of appearance):
SUE CAMPBELL FORMER FA DIRECTOR OF WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
ALEXANDER VON SCHIRMEISTER MD, Xero UK & Emerging Markets
JULIAN HADWIGER WHU-OTTO BEISHEIM SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
LEE SANDERS HEAD OF FOOTBALL, DURHAM WOMEN FC
ELLIE LEEK FORMER PLAYER
JENNIFER HASKEL DELOITTE SPORTS BUSINESS GROUP
MOYA DODD LAWYER, SPORTS CONSULTANT
KIERON O’CONNOR THE SWISS RAMBLE
NATALIE BURRELL WOMEN’S FOOTBALL FAN
ROLAND GISCARD D’ESTAING WOMAN UP AGENCY
PAUL DRESIBACH WOMEN’S FOOTBALL STRATEGIST
HELEN WARD GENERAL MANAGER, WATFORD WOMEN
JENNIFER HASKEL DELOITTE SPORTS BUSINESS GROUP
BETTINA BAER LEAD CONSULTANT, TWO CIRCLES
YVONNE HARRISON CEO, WOMEN IN FOOTBALL
DR SADIA SHEIKH FOUNDER, DIYA WOMEN FC
ANJALI SHAH PIFA, INDIAN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL ALLIANCE
2 Apr 2025
5. The Role of Men
The biggest factor affecting the development of women's football is... men's football. It casts an enormous shadow that creates a big challenge to the women's game. Partly because of the temptation (wrongly) to emulate it, but partly also because it currently controls the capital that funds the growth of the women's game. So, what is the role of men's football and men, right now, and also historically?
Guests (in order of appearance):
HELEN WARD GENERAL MANAGER, WATFORD WOMEN
JENNIFER HASKEL DELOITTE SPORTS BUSINESS GROUP
NATALIE BURRELL WOMEN’S FOOTBALL FAN
BETTINA BAER LEAD CONSULTANT, TWO CIRCLES
PAUL DRESIBACH WOMEN’S FOOTBALL STRATEGIST
MOYA DODD LAWYER, SPORTS CONSULTANT
KELLY LINDSEY COO, DIRECTOR FOOTBALL, LEWES FC
FANNY ALMERSSON STOCKHOLM SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS
ANJALI SHAH PIFA, INDIAN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL ALLIANCE
ROLAND GISCARD D’ESTAING WOMAN UP AGENCY
LEE SANDERS HEAD OF FOOTBALL, DURHAM WOMEN FC
ELLIE LEEK FORMER PLAYER
IRENE MERINO GLOBAL HEAD OF GENDER BALANCE, DECATHLON
YVONNE HARRISON CEO, WOMEN IN FOOTBALL
DR SADIA SHEIKH FOUNDER, DIYA WOMEN FC
JULIAN HADWIGER WHU-OTTO BEISHEIM SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
MARK BRADLEY FAN EXPERIENCE COMPANY
KIERON O’CONNOR THE SWISS RAMBLE
26 Mar 2025
4. Worldwide Development
Women's Football is growing all over the world, but WHY women play, beyond the more developed markets like the USA and Europe, gives a fascinating insight into the power and social importance of the women's game.
Guests (in order of appearance):
MOYA DODD LAWYER, SPORTS CONSULTANT
ELLIE LEEK FORMER PLAYER
IVI CASAGRANDE CASAGRANDE COACHING
KELLY LINDSEY COO, DIRECTOR FOOTBALL, LEWES FC
JENNIFER HASKEL DELOITTE SPORTS BUSINESS GROUP
KIERON O’CONNOR THE SWISS RAMBLE
JULIAN HADWIGER WHU-OTTO BEISHEIM SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
IRENE MERINO GLOBAL HEAD OF GENDER BALANCE, DECATHLON
ROLAND GISCARD D’ESTAING WOMAN UP AGENCY
FANNY ALMERSSON STOCKHOLM SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS
PAUL DRESIBACH WOMEN’S FOOTBALL STRATEGIST
DR SADIA SHEIKH FOUNDER, DIYA WOMEN FC
ANJALI SHAH PIFA, INDIAN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL ALLIANCE
19 Mar 2025
3. Revenues
The business of women's football is very much still in a start-up phase. But already, elite clubs, with their immediate access to capital, are dominating Leagues. What earned revenue streams are available to clubs and what are the prospects for attracting external investment?
Guests (in order of appearance):
SUE CAMPBELL FORMER FA DIRECTOR OF WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
LEE SANDERS HEAD OF FOOTBALL, DURHAM FC
HELEN WARD GM, WATFORD WOMEN
KELLY LINDSEY COO, DIRECTOR FOOTBALL, LEWES FC
ALEX VON SCHIRMEISTER MD, Xero UK
JENNIFER HASKEL DELOITTE SPORTS BUSINESS GROUP
KIERON O’CONNOR THE SWISS RAMBLE
JULIAN HADWIGER WHU-OTTO BEISHEIM SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
IRENE MERINO DECATHLON
FANNY ALMERSSON STOCKHOLM SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS
BETTINA BAER LEAD CONSULTANT, TWO CIRCLES
PAUL DRESIBACH WOMEN’S FOOTBALL STRATEGIST
ROLAND GISCARD D’ESTAING WOMAN UP AGENCY
12 Mar 2025
2. Players
'Without fans, football is nothing'. But try playing without the players...
Hear from 12 guests on the reality of being a player, from the physical to the financial. It's getting good at the top, but, for everyone else...
Guests (in order of appearance):
SUE CAMPBELL FORMER FA DIRECTOR OF WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
IVI CASAGRANDE CASAGRANDE COACHING
ROLAND GISCARD D’ESTAING WOMAN UP AGENCY
JENNIFER HASKEL DELOITTE SPORTS BUSINESS GROUP
ALEX VON SCHIRMEISTER MD, Xero UK
IRENE MERINO DECATHLON
ELLIE LEEK FORMER PLAYER
DR STACY SIMS HEALTH & PERFORMANCE SPECIALIST
HELEN WARD GM, WATFORD WOMEN
ANJALI SHAH PIFA, IWFA
KELLY LINDSEY COO, DIRECTOR FOOTBALL, LEWES FC
DR SADIA SHEIKH FOUNDER, DIYA WOMEN FC
5 Mar 2025
1. Fans
There's something... different about many fans of women's football. Analysis and opinion from 17 different voices within the game.
What do YOU think? Comment here or on LinkedIn (by following Charlie Dobres).
This week's guests (in order of appearance):
ELLIE LEEK FORMER PLAYER
MARK BRADLEY FAN EXPERIENCE COMPANY
LEE SANDERS HEAD OF FOOTBALL, DURHAM FC
JUAN BRADLEY WOMEN’S FOOTBALL FAN
BETTINA BAER LEAD CONSULTANT, TWO CIRCLES
NATALIE BURRELL WOMEN’S FOOTBALL FAN
PAUL DRESIBACH WOMEN’S FOOTBALL STRATEGIST
FANNY ALMERSSON STOCKHOLM SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS
JENNIFER HASKEL DELOITTE SPORTS BUSINESS GROUP
HELEN WARD GENERAL MANAGER, WATFORD WOMEN
JULIAN HADWIGER WHU-OTTO BEISHEIM SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
MOYA DODD LAWYER, SPORTS CONSULTANT
KIERON O’CONNOR THE SWISS RAMBLE
IRENE MERINO DECATHLON
ROLAND GISCARD D’ESTAING WOMAN UP AGENCY
ANJALI SHAH PIFA, IWFA
SUE CAMPBELL FORMER FA DIRECTOR OF WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
2 Mar 2025
TRAILER
Not Small Men is a six-part audio docuseries on women's football, where it's at and where it's going.
The series looks mostly at the situation in England, but also considers the development of the game around the world.
Episodes are released every Wednesday, starting on 5th March.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 27 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
41
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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