Chris Brookes
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Chris Brookes
@chris-brookes.bsky.social
160 followers 28 following 470 posts
Men’s/women’s football writer. Editor: Her Goal (formerly known as She Kicks) magazine 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿. Ex-Boston Breakers (NWSL) ⚽️🇺🇸 media. SWFC 🦉 fan. Talking music with footballers on http://beatsandrhymesfc.com (since 2011)
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Chris Brookes @chris-brookes.bsky.social · Dec 30
Haven’t got going with Bluesky yet, but I started on women’s football in 2011, with player interviews on their life/career & music.

The features since have come from around the world, & there’s hundreds of stories on the site, through changing leagues/eras in the women’s game.

Some from this year:
chris-brookes.bsky.social Chris Brookes @chris-brookes.bsky.social · Nov 25
“I am definitely an old soul… I move at a slow pace, I love my ☕️ on the porch in the morning and I love books and newspapers.”

Some pre-Bluesky work from 2024.

🎶⚽️ feature with #USWNT’s Sam Coffey - so vintage that her cassette tape’s starting to skip:

beatsandrhymesfc.com/sam-coffey-i... #BAONPDX
USWNT midfielder Sam Coffey pictured during the pre-game national anthem. USWNT’s Sam Coffey with fellow Olympic gold medalist Jaedyn Shaw at Paris 2024.
chris-brookes.bsky.social
“Australia was the only place I was eligible for, I thought… When I told my dad (about representing Greece), he just started crying, & I thought that was such a beautiful thing.”

Latest 🎶⚽️ feature, with Hibernian’s #SWPL champion 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Stacey Papadopoulos 🇦🇺🇬🇷

beatsandrhymesfc.com/stacey-papad... #Hibs
Stacey Papadopoulos celebrates with the SWPL trophy alongside Hibernian Women teammate Noa Schumacher.
December 4, 2025 at 5:39 PM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
New issue of @hergoalmagazine.bsky.social, featuring #SpursWomen forward & cover star 💫 Cathinka Tandberg 🇳🇴

100 pages on the women’s game, and we’ll celebrate 30 years in 2026.

Available now in supermarkets/other retailers and online here: womensfootballmagazine.com/product/her-... #thfc
Cover image of Her Goal magazine. Main image: Cathinka Tandberg in a Spurs shirt. Main text: It’s Tinka Time.
December 4, 2025 at 5:27 PM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
“Not being selected for the Euros was difficult… I came out of that experience hungrier than ever. It definitely gives me extra fire to prove myself.”

My feature with Sweden forward Evelyn Ijeh 🇸🇪🇳🇬

Music, #MilanFemminile 🇮🇹, Nigeria, #TigresFemenil 🇲🇽 & more:

beatsandrhymesfc.com/evelyn-ijeh-...
AC Milan / Evelyn Ijeh goal graphic Evelyn Ijeh has her tie adjusted while wearing an AC Milan club suit
November 27, 2025 at 6:59 PM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
“I’ve loved my Chelsea career so far & my life here in London... It feels like home. We spend every summer away from London, & then I’m like, ‘OK, I’m going home now.’”

My interview with Guro Reiten 🇳🇴 in this month’s @hergoalmagazine.bsky.social

🔑 womensfootballmagazine.com/product/her-... #cfcw
Front cover of Her Goal magazine. Main image: Guro Reiten in Chelsea shirt. Headline: Bluetopia - Guro Reiten & Chelsea’s love supreme. Other text: Remembering Matt Beard. London City Lionesses star Kosovare Asllani. PLUS: Fran Kirby talks transfers. Barça & Dortmund in focus.
November 11, 2025 at 4:01 PM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
ICYMI: October’s issue of the magazine (our last as She Kicks before the switch to @hergoalmagazine.bsky.social).

100 pages of women’s football, including our interview with cover star 💫 Man City & Spain’s Leila Ouahabi.

Get yours! 👇 womensfootballmagazine.com/product/she-... #mcwfc #BarclaysWSL
Front cover of She Kicks magazine (now known as Her Goal magazine) Issue 92, with Leila Ouahabi as the main image. Main text: Let There Be Leila - 1-on-1 with Man City & Spain’s Leila Ouahabi
October 27, 2025 at 3:52 PM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
“I feel more at home in Manchester, with the culture & the people. I think I’ve got a little bit of an accent as well, so I guess I’m becoming more (Manc)…”

My interview with #MUWomen striker Elisabeth Terland 🇳🇴 in October’s @hergoalmagazine.bsky.social

🔑 womensfootballmagazine.com/product/she-...
The top of the page from Elisabeth Terland’s interview in She Kicks magazine (now known as Her Goal magazine). Headline: Your defence is TERIfied (Teri is her nickname).
October 27, 2025 at 3:41 PM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
“I think I can be proud of myself the last five games (of last season); I just want to show I can do it through the whole season.”

My interview with Aston Villa’s Chasity Grant 🇳🇱 in this month’s @hergoalmagazine.bsky.social

Get yours: womensfootballmagazine.com/product/she-... #avwfc #BarclaysWSL
Screenshot from Chasity Grant’s She Kicks magazine interview. Headline: THRILLA FROM THE VILLA.
September 19, 2025 at 4:45 PM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
“I’m really hoping that I can bring more of a leadership role and really step up for Scotland.”

Back at Liverpool on a full deal, Sam Kerr 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 has clear ambitions for club & country.

Our interview in @hergoalmagazine.bsky.social

🔑 womensfootballmagazine.com/product/she-... #LFCW #BarclaysWSL #SWNT
Screenshot from Sam Kerr’s interview in She Kicks magazine. Headline: HELLO STRANGER!
September 19, 2025 at 4:29 PM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
“I’m so far from home, and I feel really at home here at Everton. It’s a great club that provides everything I need…so I wouldn’t leave.”

This month’s @hergoalmagazine.bsky.social, including my interview with #EvertonWomen & #Matildas’ Clare Wheeler 🇦🇺

🔑 womensfootballmagazine.com/product/she-...
Cover of She Kicks magazine with Everton’s Clare Wheeler as the main image. Headline: WHEELS UP FOR THE NEW SEASON! Everton’s Aussie midfielder Clare Wheeler. Other text: Liverpool’s Sam Kerr, Millie Bright gets Game Ready, Villa’s Chasity Grant, EURO 2025 re-lived: England’s Swisstory makers
September 19, 2025 at 4:14 PM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
Marc Skinner also confirms that there isn’t currently a 24-hour option to recall the loan players if #MUWomen had first-teamers become unavailable. #BarclaysWSL
chris-brookes.bsky.social Chris Brookes @chris-brookes.bsky.social · Sep 17
Manchester United boss Marc Skinner when I asked about #MUWomen squad depth and the decision to send players on loan (particularly Emma Watson to Crystal Palace, who’d been cited in the past as a big part of his plans).

United named 5 out of 9 available subs v Leicester recently. #BarclaysWSL
That one’s pretty simple for me. Emma missed the first year for an ACL that she got on a Scotland camp, so we didn’t have her for the first year. She then wanted to play football, because the only way she’s going to get better is by playing football. This year, I think that’s pretty selfish of us as a club, if we want to see her talent grow, to sit her on a bench and bring her in for moments of games, rather than actually let her have the opportunity. So, if you think about Emma, and by the way, this is Emma’s choice as well, Emma wants to go out and play because she wants to play for Manchester United. It’s a pretty simple one for me. I think – and I’m with the fans when I echo their sentiment – that I think in the winter window, we need to do work, because I think we need to add to this already-super-talented squad, but we need more depth, in high quality… in certain areas. So, I’m with that. And I must stress, on the other side of that, though, I can’t do anything until January, so now, my sole focus is on getting the very best of these players and giving them the right rest, recovery, so we don’t risk injury, while also trying to get the rotation right. So, forgive me if I don’t talk about it any more, because I understand it, but I can’t do anything about it, apart from behind the scenes try and recruit the players ready for winter window, and that’s what I’m doing; I haven’t stopped. So, just to be clear, Emma Watson wanted to go out, it’s the right decision for her. Even Jess Simpson, so on, it’s right for them, and hopefully, we can get through to that window without too many injuries. That’s going to be key, I’ve no doubt about it.”
September 17, 2025 at 9:21 AM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
Also asked Marc Skinner how close #MUWomen youngsters are to properly breaking through.

And if he’d see it as a failure if he doesn’t bring homegrown players through.

“We have this fantasy that because they’re homegrown they can come straight in and play.” #BarclaysWSL
“The reality is, and I think I’m pretty good at this, is knowing when they’re ready. We have this fantasy that because they’re homegrown they can come straight in and play. Well, ask the other teams exactly the same question. They have to be ready, because the thing is – and this is what people don’t understand – if you don’t get that timing right, you damage a player. It’s not about the team, it’s about damaging the player’s psychology, so they don’t feel they’re ready then. I know, by the conversations I have with the psychology team, we have a team that looks after our loanee players, that call them every month to make sure they’re checking in, ‘Do they need anything?’ So, we have absolute care for our… players, but if they’re not ready, and that is the job of me to understand whether they’re ready. They also have to be better than the players that are in the team, because otherwise, I’m replacing a homegrown player with a player that’s already better than them. So, we have to be very careful in the way that we discuss that, a player’s future, but let me be clear, when they are ready, they will play, and that is the final answer on that.”
September 17, 2025 at 9:17 AM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
Manchester United boss Marc Skinner when I asked about #MUWomen squad depth and the decision to send players on loan (particularly Emma Watson to Crystal Palace, who’d been cited in the past as a big part of his plans).

United named 5 out of 9 available subs v Leicester recently. #BarclaysWSL
That one’s pretty simple for me. Emma missed the first year for an ACL that she got on a Scotland camp, so we didn’t have her for the first year. She then wanted to play football, because the only way she’s going to get better is by playing football. This year, I think that’s pretty selfish of us as a club, if we want to see her talent grow, to sit her on a bench and bring her in for moments of games, rather than actually let her have the opportunity. So, if you think about Emma, and by the way, this is Emma’s choice as well, Emma wants to go out and play because she wants to play for Manchester United. It’s a pretty simple one for me. I think – and I’m with the fans when I echo their sentiment – that I think in the winter window, we need to do work, because I think we need to add to this already-super-talented squad, but we need more depth, in high quality… in certain areas. So, I’m with that. And I must stress, on the other side of that, though, I can’t do anything until January, so now, my sole focus is on getting the very best of these players and giving them the right rest, recovery, so we don’t risk injury, while also trying to get the rotation right. So, forgive me if I don’t talk about it any more, because I understand it, but I can’t do anything about it, apart from behind the scenes try and recruit the players ready for winter window, and that’s what I’m doing; I haven’t stopped. So, just to be clear, Emma Watson wanted to go out, it’s the right decision for her. Even Jess Simpson, so on, it’s right for them, and hopefully, we can get through to that window without too many injuries. That’s going to be key, I’ve no doubt about it.”
September 17, 2025 at 9:12 AM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
Asked new #SpursWomen boss Martin Ho how they become enjoyable to watch this season.

Could it come from Matilda Vinberg/Araya Dennis playing bigger roles?

“You have to allow players to take risks & be brave… We will risk the ball at times, we’ll be more aggressive on the front foot.”

#BarclaysWSL
Martin Ho holding a Spurs shirt I want the team to look exciting. I want to be able to stand and watch my own team and feel the energy and feel the passion, and kick and head every ball with them. Yes, the team’s going to be exciting. I think what you have to do is you have to allow players to take risks and be brave, and we have to support that, which we will. I want the team to be exciting and we will be. We will risk the ball at times, we’ll be more aggressive on the front foot in terms of how we press the game, but some of the players you’ve mentioned there, I’ve seen a big shift in their confidence and belief, more importantly. The likes of Matilda Vinberg has looked brilliant for us in pre-season and she’s done exceptionally well… Araya Dennis has trained really well all week, she’s trained well in pre-season, she’s been patient. She’s had the opportunities when they’ve come, and Araya just needs a little bit of guidance and a little bit more coaching.
September 6, 2025 at 6:13 PM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
Liverpool have signed left-back Alejandra Bernabé 🇪🇸 on a full deal following her loan from Chelsea.

(📸 LFC) #lfcw #cfcw #BarclaysWSL
Alejandra Bernabé in a Liverpool shirt with pen and paper
September 4, 2025 at 6:15 PM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
Newcastle United have signed Chelsea goalkeeper Femke Liefting 🇳🇱 on a season-long loan.

Liefting, 20, has been with Chelsea since January, having joined from Dutch side AZ.

#nuwfc #cfcw #BarclaysWSL #BarclaysWSL2
September 4, 2025 at 5:30 PM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
Asked West Ham manager Rehanne Skinner about assurances from the club that last season’s top scorer Shekiera Martínez wouldn’t be sold this summer.

#BarclaysWSL #westhamwomen
Shekiera Martínez with the Young Hammer of the Year and club’s Goal of the Year awards “I think it’s really straightforward. We’re building the club, and so obviously these players are so important to us in order to keep that consistency, and that’s something that the club was always on board with. Shekiera’s a key part of everything that we’ve done… she’s a key part of our plans moving forward and everyone within the club is in agreement with that.”
September 4, 2025 at 2:13 PM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
Birmingham have signed Brighton midfielder Libby Bance on loan for the season.

(📸 BCFC) #bcfcwomen #bhafcwomen #BarclaysWSL #BarclaysWSL2
Libby Bance in a Birmingham shirt at St. Andrew’s
September 4, 2025 at 2:01 PM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
Liverpool have signed forward Beata Olsson 🇸🇪 from Kristianstad.

The 24-year-old former Florida State 🇺🇸 star, a national champion in 2021 and 2023, has been back in Sweden since the end of her collegiate career.

(📸 Nick Taylor/LFC) #BarclaysWSL #LFCW
Beata Olsson in a Liverpool shirt
September 4, 2025 at 1:00 PM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
Manchester City midfielder Yui Hasegawa has signed a new four-year contract.

The 28-year-old Japan international had extended her contract last January to 2027.

(📸 Declan Lloyd/MCFC) #BarclaysWSL #mcwfc
Yui Hasegawa holding a Man City shirt with ‘Hasegawa 25’ on
September 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
Asked Everton manager Brian Sørensen if he sees Ruby Mace as a midfielder or defender long term:

“I see her 100% as a midfielder.”

Adds that they also signed her to ‘mix the game up’ with their passing range, an area where they are ‘a bit lacking.’ #evertonwomen #BarclaysWSL
chris-brookes.bsky.social Chris Brookes @chris-brookes.bsky.social · Sep 3
Everton have signed Ruby Mace from Leicester City for ‘a club-record fee.’

The defender/midfielder, who turns 22 later this week, signs a three-year contract.

(📸 EFC) #BarclaysWSL #evertonwomen
Ruby Mace in an Everton shirt with pen and paper
September 4, 2025 at 9:52 AM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
Exact quotes from Brian Sørensen on Inma Gabarro are that Everton are ‘looking into if we can loan her back to Sevilla, just for a season, so we’re going to extend her contract.’ The move is for the 22-year-old to ‘get home, close to family.’

#BarclaysWSL #evertonwomen #LigaF
chris-brookes.bsky.social Chris Brookes @chris-brookes.bsky.social · Sep 4
Everton boss Brian Sørensen when I asked if fans can rest easy knowing that nobody will be sold before the #BarclaysWSL deadline (he’d already said Inma Gabarro is rejoining Sevilla on loan):

“We’re working maybe on one loan for the youngsters but let’s see how that plays out.” #evertonwomen
September 4, 2025 at 9:26 AM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
Everton boss Brian Sørensen when I asked if fans can rest easy knowing that nobody will be sold before the #BarclaysWSL deadline (he’d already said Inma Gabarro is rejoining Sevilla on loan):

“We’re working maybe on one loan for the youngsters but let’s see how that plays out.” #evertonwomen
September 4, 2025 at 9:18 AM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
Brighton have signed 20-year-old Japanese midfielder Fuka Tsunoda ‘on undisclosed terms.’

Tsunoda joins from Urawa Reds.

(📸 BHAFC) #BarclaysWSL #bhafcwomen
Fuka Tsunoda holds a Brighton shirt
September 4, 2025 at 8:01 AM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
Leicester have also described Ruby Mace’s transfer as ‘a record sale for LCFC Women.’

#BarclaysWSL
chris-brookes.bsky.social Chris Brookes @chris-brookes.bsky.social · Sep 3
Everton have signed Ruby Mace from Leicester City for ‘a club-record fee.’

The defender/midfielder, who turns 22 later this week, signs a three-year contract.

(📸 EFC) #BarclaysWSL #evertonwomen
Ruby Mace in an Everton shirt with pen and paper
September 3, 2025 at 1:32 PM
chris-brookes.bsky.social
Everton have signed Ruby Mace from Leicester City for ‘a club-record fee.’

The defender/midfielder, who turns 22 later this week, signs a three-year contract.

(📸 EFC) #BarclaysWSL #evertonwomen
Ruby Mace in an Everton shirt with pen and paper
September 3, 2025 at 1:30 PM