The profile of women's football is rising constantly at present, and with the upcoming edition of the Women's World Cup in France next summer, we take a look at how a good performance by Phil Neville's Lionesses, could see an astronomic impact for the Women's professional game in England.
TV deals, record attendances and increased participation from young girls were all huge benefits from the Lionesses' Bronze-winning effort in the last World Cup in Canada in 2015, and their semi-final finish at the European Championships two later in 2017.
England Women have continued to dazzle fans and competitors alike, managing to secure qualification for the World Cup next summer by beating Wales 3-0 in August; a match that generated a peak viewership of 1.7 million in the UK, 100,000 more than their previous qualifier. This just demonstrates the trend of an improved TV audience that the England Women's national team have been generating, in the years since their last tournament triumph.
Boss Phil Neville is well aware of the growing enthusiasm behind his team, as they enter next summer's tournament as one of the favourites for the crown, for the first time in living memory. And in this same vein, Neville and the rest of the football association are hoping that a strong performance in the tournament will help the women's game within England to "explode".
---------- How progress in the Netherlands spiked interest----------
The Lionesses semi-final defeat was the most viewed women's game ever on television in the UK, with an average of 3.4 million viewers, and a peak of 4 million viewers on 'Channel 4'.
The FA's Kelly Simmons hopes that these such figures bode well for next summer, as every Lionesses game will be broadcasted live on the 'BBC', giving people as much opportunity as possible to be able to view the games.
Simmons is hoping that this wide viewing availability will encourage an increase in viewers and subsequently regular followers of the women's game: "We want to be encouraging as many fans at home, who aren't travelling to France, to watch the games. It's hard to get a sense of what the audience numbers will be. It is on the BBC and the kick-off times are much better. I expect we will smash anything we have seen previously in terms of audience figures."
--------- Average attendances on the rise---------
England only conceded once throughout their eight qualifiers to finish unbeaten at the top of their group. They are also currently ranked fourth in the World, behind hosts France, Germany and the USA.
And so, with preparations for the Women's World Cup next summer well underway for the Lionesses and their manager Phil Neville; any person involved in the game will be willing them on to glory in France, in a hope that it will boost domestic women's football in England.
And in turn, success could ensure that the women's game in England is a more attractive proposition; for both potential English starlets of the future watching on, as well as foreign stars who will be fighting for the chance to see what all the fuss is about.