In just nine months, reigning Women’s Super League Champions Chelsea FC will head down under to play against the A-League Women's All-Stars. It’s the first time the Blues women will play on Australian shores, competing in only the second edition of the All-Stars concept.
But only a handful of footballers can boast having played for both Chelsea FC and an A-League club throughout their career. Two who immediately come to mind are current Matildas and Chelsea FC stars Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter.
But another, who had the pleasure of the rare dual experience, is Englishwoman Carly Telford. Telford won three WSL titles with Chelsea as their goalkeeper, played 27 games for the Lionesses and represented Great Britain at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
But before achieving all those accolades, she too was an A-League women’s player, with a five-month stint at the Perth Glory during the 2012-2013 season.
“It was kind of like an off chance I got to do it because the League (WSL) used to be in Summer, so I got to spend my English Winter in Australia.”
Visiting Australia for just the second time since her Glory days, Telford, this week, had the chance to reflect on her experience in what was then known as the W-League.
“A lot of the girls that you played with [in Australia] were from different places, so they’d all take you to their hometowns to meet their families, and that’s part and parcel of playing in an incredible place with incredible women.
I literally went home after my five months and was like: everyone has to go and try that.”
Having now retired from professional football, Carly has moved into the role of Commercial Manager for Chelsea FC Women. And one of her first orders of business has been to continue persuading footballers to visit Australia after watching the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final in Sydney.
“I just think coming back here and seeing how amazing Sydney was, I was like, if we can get a chance to bring Chelsea this way, then I think we should. I'm not the decision maker, but I definitely had a hand in saying that we should definitely do it.
Telford self-describes her role at Chelsea as a salesperson whose job is to tell and sell the story of Chelsea FC’s women to brands.
“We’re a club of firsts. You know, we love being there first and doing things differently. And I think that's always been the Chelsea way.”
One of the many firsts championed by Telford was bringing ‘Here We Flo’ on as the club’s official menstrual partner.
“I want to have partnerships with purpose. And for me, having our girls tell their story lets young girls know that it's okay to have periods and that you can harness them. That for me is real change, and that is something that I wanted to take from my playing career into the floor, having partnerships that mean something to normal people.”
And it’s those fans that Telford hopes will also get the most out of the Sydney Super Cup.
“Being on this side of the world and coming to a new time zone, hopefully, a lot of people can watch at a decent time where they don't have to sit up in the middle of the night. But for a change, they can actually go and watch live if they're living around here.
I think it helps obviously that we have Ellie and Sam, but it’s an opportunity to see the girls on this side of the water so people can see them in real life and experience the Chelsea vibes and what the team is about.”
The former Perth Glory goalkeeper also believes the current crop of A-League Women's stars will benefit from playing against the Blues Women.
“I think that as a player you always think, I wonder what it'd be like to play against them or, like, What's Lucy Bronze actually like?" Or Lauren James or Millie Bright? Now, if you’re an A-League women's player, you get to do it in real life.
But also, it’s a chance to pit yourself up against some of the best players, literally in the world. Like, we have the best strikers and the best defenders, goalkeepers in the world. And you're gonna get to live and breathe it live against them. So, if you're thinking you're a certain level, this is the perfect opportunity to test if you're really at that level or maybe even surprise yourself. You never know.”
The Inaugural season of the Women’s Super League commenced in April 2011. Comparatively, the A-League women’s competition kicked off in October 2008. Despite starting just three years apart, Telford believes there’s a lot the A-League can learn from the WSL.
“A lot of the learning is an investment. I think, how do you keep players here? Pay them well, treat them well, put them in a big stadium.
But also, bring that talent back when you can. The Matildas of the past four or five years have so much power - use that and bring them back [to the A-League] when the girls are ready to hang up their boots in the WSL or NWSL. This is what we've kind of done in the UK with all of our Lionesses as they've exited the game.”
But with Australia hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Asian Cup and now it’s second A-League All-Stars match in the space of three years, Telford says the league’s growth is imminent.
“Australia is in a prime position, off the back of the World Cup and then the Asian Cup coming up. I think if some of the Matildas retire and then probably come home, there's huge opportunities for them to be coaches, in media, and move into those higher positions that can help make some of those changes that are needed to take the A-League to the next level.”
The Chelsea FC Women will make their Sydney Super Cup debut when they face off against the A-League Women All-Stars on Wednesday, 12th August at Allianz Stadium.
The squad is also expected to get out amongst the Sydney community, hosting open trainings and fan events in the lead-up to the match.
Better still, Telford is hoping the trip down under will take the team to new heights.
“I really want them to get to climb the, the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It's one of the most iconic bridges in the world, if not things in the world.”
Tickets for Chelsea FC vs A-League All-Stars Women are on sale now.
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