We want city to be proud of us, says Wolves Women boss Cullis

"From the first whistle we're all about attacking, we want to entertain the crowd. A entertaining team means a larger attendance."

Steve Cullis is a man on a mission.

A mission to propel Wolves Women up through the leagues, to increase attendances at Hednesford's Keys Park where they play their matches ("we get 70 or 80 but I'm aiming for 150 and then we'll go from there")and, most importantly, to produce home-grown talent.

The likes of England internationals Emily Westwood and 102-times-capped Rachel Unitt played for Wolves the early stages of their career. But Cullis wants more.

"The national team are full of role models, but I believe we've got our own too, which we want to try to develop.

"People like Rachel Unitt and Emily Westwood have been at Wolves and then later played for England. For me it's been too far long in between.

"At Wolves we've got Jen Anslow, Anna Perks, Claire Hakeman - these are our role models for girls across the city.

"I want to see one of our under-15 or under-18 players play for England one day. Whether I'm here in five or 10 years I want to have set up a legacy and a foundation for Wolves Women."

There are many factors crucial for growth in the women's game.

Chief among them is investment, and Cullis hopes that's where the men's game can help, including at Wolves.

"We do get support from Wolves but in general, nationally as well, the games are quite separate," he said.

"Hopefully with the success of the Lionesses in the World Cup things might move closer together. At the minute it is a bit separate. I think the clubs could maybe merge closer together to help the female game develop in Wolverhampton, but nationally as well. Things are getting there slowly but surely.

"Attendances levels are increasing but the big thing is more participation. For us we need the national team to keep doing well to continue to boost the game.

"I'd still like to see more WSL (Women's Super League) games on TV. But Sky Sports are covering female games, which has a huge impact, BBC are pushing and promoting the game, there is something there, it just needs an idea and a structure for how to develop female football.

"But there's a real interest from grassroots level upwards. Compete with the male game? Maybe not, but there's an opportunity for big growth."

They train twice a week (at Aldersley and Bilston College) and have age groups from nine upwards.

And things are going well this season - they've lost just one of 11 games and are chasing promotion and a run in the FA Cup.

With fans of the men's game increasingly growing disillusioned with ticket prices, or at the death of the traditional working man's game, there is perhaps a gap in the market for the women's game to exploit.

And with attacking football ("there's no point parking the bus and playing for 0-0 when we're trying to catch people's attention") and a couple of successful seasons he hopes to push Wolves Women into the city's limelight.

Cullis said: "Our women aren't professionals, they are relate-able. I'm huge on values and respect.

"There's a misconception that the game's played at a slower pace, or a lesser intensity, or that the females may not be as strong or as physically able to compete.

"There will be slight differences but I wouldn't set up a male team different to how I set Wolves Women up.

"There are more people watching the women's game and at Wolves we want to replicate what's happening nationally.

"It's very much a community philosophy that we've got. Local players being watched by local fans.

"We want to be as successful as we can but it's about doing it the right way.

"We want the city to be proud of us."