The View Presents – theFFM
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This is the second part of our new series, The View Presents. In which we showcase Football Manager, female content creators and football fans. Today we are pleased to present to you, Jenna, better known as theFFM.
The View Presents – theFFM
Recently, I embarked on a massive decluttering of my belongings, and while searching through and looking at my memories, I couldn’t help but notice a recurring theme. Among the albums full of photos and folders of paperwork, one interest stood out more than anything else: football.
Whether it was photos of me wearing football shirts, tickets and programmes from Sheffield Wednesday matches, or school reports praising the confidence I exuded while on the pitch, one thing was clear: football had made its mark on my life.
As I entered my teenage years, I found myself becoming another statistic, and I stopped playing. Studies say around 43% of girls abandon sports during their transition from Primary to Secondary school, but I soon found another way to live and breathe my passion.
When asked what my first release was, I will always say Championship Manager 97/98, but let’s be honest, at 12 years old, I had no idea what I was doing. My method of playing consisted of four things:
1) Playing as Sheffield Wednesday,
2) Giving Sheffield Wednesday lots of money,
3) Putting myself into the game as a 16-year-old Wonderkid,
4) Annoying my brother because there was a 16-year-old Wonderkid called Jenna absolutely tearing it up in his save.
It wasn’t until my late teens, when I was a little bit lost in life, that I fully realised it was much more than a fantasy game and a way to annoy my brother; it was an outlet for my creativity and a way to keep myself immersed in football.
The more I played, the more I wanted to learn. I found myself devouring articles on websites, joining forums, and eventually having a dedicated Twitter account.
What started as a way for me to learn more about tactics and training soon evolved into something much more than that. I found a home in the Football Manager community – it’s a place where everyone is welcome, where you can exchange tips, where you can share the highs and lows of your most recent save, and where you can make friends.
Through forums and blogs, I’ve discovered a community of people who understand the joy (and despair!) watching dots run around the screen can bring. However, it would be ignorant of me not to talk about a small section of the community that occasionally rears its ugly head.
As a female player, I have experienced instances of subtle sexism and attitudes that can only be described as dismissive. I’ve had misguided attempts at help; I’ve been told I’m playing wrong, and I’ve been accused of cheating because I’ve been successful at something.
And while it’s not outright sexism, I’ve lost count of the number of messages I’ve gotten that comment on the fact that I’m female. Would they message a male player and comment on their gender? I doubt it.
It could be disheartening to have my knowledge questioned solely based on my gender, but instead, it lit a fire within me, and I’m more determined than ever to challenge the stereotypes that are still ingrained within some aspects of the community.
The upcoming inclusion of women’s football marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of Football Manager. Women’s football has been gaining widespread recognition over recent years; it’s no longer seen as an afterthought and is getting more coverage than ever before. Female players are becoming household names, and female pundits are given primetime spots.
Recognising the changing landscape, Football Manager made the decision to include the women’s leagues in FM25. Not only will this addition open up a whole new world of possibilities, but it’s also another step towards inclusivity and equality.
Gone will be the days when Football Manager is seen as an exclusively male-dominated game. It will encourage more females to fire up their computers and take charge of their role models, and future generations will be inspired to pursue their passion for football and gaming.
Football Manager brings people together and offers a sense of belonging, so let’s continue to harness that power and create something special. Together, we can build a community that is diverse and inclusive. We are all united in our passion for the game, and we all want to break down barriers.
So, to all the women out there who love Football Manager, know that you aren’t alone. Football Manager is a place where everyone belongs; it’s a place where everyone can say, “This is my game too.”
You can find Jenna on the Twitter and on her fantastic website;
