Chris Duffy, Celtic’s Company Secretary and Head of Legal appointed to SWPL Board

The Celtic Star

·27 May 2022

Chris Duffy, Celtic’s Company Secretary and Head of Legal appointed to SWPL Board

Chris Duffy, Celtic’s Company Secretary and Head of Legal*, will represent the club on the SWPL board next season after being elected as a director at yesterday’s AGM.

In February, following discussions involving Scottish Women’s football, the SFA, the SPFL and clubs themselves, it was agreed from next season that two divisions of Scottish Women’s football would now come under the SPFL. It’s a big shake up of women’s football and one that will hopefully help increase the exposure of women’s football, alongside opening up greater marketing opportunities alongside improved media coverage of Scottish Women’s football.

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Now, as of season 22/23, the SWPL1 will be competed for by – Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee United, Glasgow City, Glasgow Women, Hamilton, Hearts, Hibernian, Motherwell, Partick Thistle, theRangers and Spartans.

SWPL2 meanwhile will be contested by – Boroughmuir Thistle, East Fife, Gartcairn, Kilmarnock, Montrose, Queen’s Park, St Johnstone and Stirling University.

Chris Duffy

Joining Chris Duffy as being elected to the SWPL board are Andrew McKinlay (Hearts), Amy McDonald (theRangers), Laura Montgomery (Glasgow City) and Zola McGoldrick (Boroughmuir Thistle).

Speaking yesterday, Fiona McIntyre, Interim Managing Director of the SWPL explained this was a significant moment for the women’s game in Scotland.

Image taken during the Scottish Women’s Premier League Cup Final match between Glasgow City and Celtic Women at Firhill Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland on 17 October 2021.

“This is a historic day for Scottish women’s football. I am delighted to welcome the first 20 clubs to the new league and to congratulate the first club-appointed directors on their election to the board of the SWPL. “It is important to recognise all the hard work that has taken place to get us to this place. Scottish women’s football can now look forward with confidence as a result of that hard work, and the commitment of so many people over so many years.”

Clarissa Larisey during the League Cup Final match between Glasgow City and Celtic Women at Firhill.

Having a position of influence on the SWPL board is good news for Celtic and will ensure we can be front and centre in the key decisions made surrounding women’s football in the years to come.

Around the world women’s game is growing at an incredible speed, but in truth Scottish football is somewhat behind the curve. This announcement however should hopefully help rectify the situation and see women’s football head in the upward direction it is more than capable of particularly with the draw of Celtic and theRangers as professional sides and with Glasgow City already an established name in both domestic and European football.

Celtic of course may well have plans afoot for next season, but for now Fran Alonso and his side are focusing on the chance to lift their first ever Scottish Cup and with it a domestic cup double following December’s League Cup win over Glasgow City.

Captain Kelly Clark and goalscorer Caitlin Hayes with the League Cup

The same opponent stands in the way of Celtic’s dream double at Tynecastle on Sunday, and although inconsistent league form left Celtic in a disappointing third place in the SWPL1 this season, Celtic’s form in one-off games against the best teams will see Alonso and his players head into this one full of confidence that another piece of history can be created for the club.

Tickets for Sunday’s Scottish Cup Final are priced at £5 for adults and Under13’s go free, making it the ideal family day out and one that won’t break the budget. You can still buy tickets by following this link https://www.eticketing.co.uk/heartofmidlothian/EDP/Event/Index/1734

And for those who can’t get to the game the match will be on Pass to Paradise for season ticket holders, Celtic TV for those outside of the UK and Ireland, and on BBC Alba, with Sunday Cup Final kicking off at 4.10pm.

COYGIG!

* FYI At Celtic Chris Duffy essentially does current Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson’s old job.

Niall J

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Chris Duffy, Celtic’s Company Secretary and Head of Legal appointed to SWPL Board | OneFootball