Football legend Frank McAvennie gets behind women's football team in shirt deal
The former St Mirren, Celtic, West Ham and Scotland striker's podcast Let Me Be Frank has backed Hamilton Academical WFC with a season long shirt deal.
Macca, who hosts the Let Me Be Frank podcast alongside journalist pal Simon Houston, said: 'Anything I can do to help the ladies.
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'I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to support the Accies Women's team like this.
"It's no secret that in the past I wasn't the biggest fan of women's football and didn't watch a lot of it, but fair's fair. I have become a convert and I have been massively impressed with some of the games I have watched.'
The Accies Women's team are set to play in the top flight next season alongside other SWPL1 clubs after becoming SWPL2 Champions for 2024/25.
Frank, 65, said: 'Hamilton did incredibly well last season and now they are back in the top flight and I'm thrilled that our logo will be on their shorts as they go for more glory.
'I knew some of the people who work for charities at Hamilton and have known the men's side for years. I've been going to see them for years.
'It gives the podcast a wee lift as well.'
Frank, who was at New Douglas Park this week to meet some of the players and hand over a cheque for £1,000, made a name for himself as a top scorer in both the Scottish top flight and in England.
His reputation for scoring stretched to the ladies, prompting comedian and TV producer to lampoon Frank in the television series Only An Excuse with the catchphrase, 'Where's ra burds?'
Frank said: 'A lot of my mates are poking fun telling me that I was very much a fan of the ladies back in the day, so I'm expecting a bit of a ribbing. But I can take it.
Some of Phil's sketches have been hilarious. It was all good fun.
"But in all seriousness, I'm delighted at the massive increase in profile that the women's game has enjoyed, not just in Scotland but all over the world.
"I've been watching a lot of the Euros which are on at the moment and it's just a pity the Scottish team didn't make it to Switzerland. Let's hope they can be back on the big stage soon.'
Frank, who enjoyed top flight football in the 1980s and 1990s, added: 'It would be great to see some of the Hamilton team showcasing their talents on the world stage.
"We will give our podcast followers regular updates on their scores as the new season progresses."
Frank has also promised to cheer the Accies women's team from the stands when they play upcoming matches against Partick Thistle and Celtic.
He said: 'Women's football has taken off and it has got to a stage where women's games are filling stadiums.
'You have got to be happy with the way they have got the leagues together and the clubs have bought into it. There are some decent players.'
Hamilton Academical WFC manager Robert Watson added: "This is a magnificent boost for the team.
"We are absolutely delighted to have the Let Me Be Frank podcast sponsoring our shorts for the upcoming season.
"This will be one of the biggest seasons in the team's history after returning to the top flight of Scottish women's football.
"We couldn't do what we do without the support of people like Frank. We are not full-time so every penny we receive is really important and extremely helpful."
The Let Me Be Frank podcast regularly boasts top guests. Past shows have included chats with everybody from Rod Stewart to Ray Winstone.
Frank said: 'The podcast is about letting people talk. Every time we have someone in we have a story that we haven't heard. It's great because normally I would ask a question then answer it, but Simon has taught me to keep quiet and let people speak for themselves and it has been a joy to talk to everybody from Scott Brown about his time at Celtic to Rod because you can't get much bigger than that.'
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