Malvern Town FC provides free period products for fans and players

It is the latest move by the club to improve the match-day experience for women, after signing up to the Her Game Too movement.

County councillor Natalie McVey is funding the products through her divisional budget after seeing a similar scheme in action at Forest Green Rovers.

Malvern Town Women wear the Her Game Too badge on their kit (Image: NQ)

“I noticed they provided period products for fans and thought this was a fantastic idea that I would like to replicate in Malvern,” she said.

“Period products are expensive and additional financial pressures are being felt due to the cost of living crisis.”

Cllr McVey has worked with Dana Hughes, community builder and clubhouse manager at Malvern Town FC, to provide tampons and sanitary towels from plastic-free and cruelty-free manufacturer TOTM.

These can be used by anyone that needs them at matches and social events.

Cllr McVey visited the club last week to speak to Dana and others about the popularity of the products - and saw Malvern Town Women win 7-0 against Wyre Forest Phoenix.

Said Dana: “It’s great to have free sanitary products for our players, fans and people attending our community events to use.

'It's a Godsend'

“As well as being really expensive, sometimes people get caught out, so it’s a Godsend to have them here.”

Cllr McVey is impressed with the progress being made both at Malvern Town and throughout the football community.

“It’s great to see the Her Game Too badge on the women’s shirts,” she said.

“I am hugely appreciative of the work and campaigning undertaken by the Her Game Too movement, which tackles sexism and champions women in sport, and am proud to wear my badge.

The products are provided free of charge (Image: NQ)

“I would have loved to have played football, but unfortunately was not allowed to at school as it was considered to be a ‘boys sport’. 

“I have been a football fan for as long as I can remember, and used to travel up to Villa Park to stand in The Holte End, on my own.

“I have often experienced sexism at matches and more generally. My views and opinions have been challenged because I am a woman, clearly some people believe that I am not entitled to express them.

“This sometimes manifested itself in having to prove my knowledge of the game by explaining the offside rule, which of course I was happy to do.”