Suffregettes of Womens Football

The Women who wanted to play football, and were not going to let the Old Gentlemen of the FA stop them - Tough Women, with willpower and an overhelming ambition to succeed.


Great day spent in Manchester last Tuesday. The Football museum hosted an event for 'Women in Football', on of all days 'International Womens Day'. Again Shelley Alexander was the force behind the event, and had chosen an amazing venue yet again;

The football museum is a must for anyone who has an interest or love for football. It is located in the centre of Manchester, a short walk from Victoria Station and The Arndale Centre. I have visited before - Advantage of my Nana and Grandad living about 5 miles away. Anyway - It'sgreat. It has floors of fantastic exhibits, and covers all aspects. From the very begining of the game through to the modern game, and everything in between. From Football Kits, to WAGS designer dresses. Some old fashioned funfair games, to modern day skills booths. They have now introduced a great little cafe, where you can have a latte and wander around the signed shirts.

Well, back to the event. - Fantastic inspirational women;

• Patricia Gregory amazingly campaigned for women to be allowed to play football - after they had been banned by the FA in 1921. She wrote to a local newspaper and was inundated with leters from Women wanting to join her team - which by the way, she didn't have - Answer = Create a team !!!
• Kerry Davis - In the 60's she was one of the most prolific goal scorers 
• Carol Thomas - Previously Englands longest serving captain
• Liz Deighan - Footballer and Coach for England - back in the day!!
• Rachel Brown-Finnis - Recently retired Goalkeeper for England

Did you know that there were around 150 womens teams by 1920. The game was flourishing, and especially during the First World War, when Women were working more and more, they also started to get more and more involved in sport. On Christmas Day 1917 there were 10,000 spectators watched a match between two ladies teams at Preston. By 1920, on Boxing Day, a crowd of 53,000 watched Dick Kerrs Ladies play St Helens Ladies at Goodison Park, and more people were outside, that hadn't managed to get a ticket. 

The FA didn't like that - In December 1921 the FA made a statement - 'The game of football is quite unsuitable for Females, and ought not to be encouraged'. The Old Chaps at the FA had been outraged by the popularity of the Womens game. The Womens game effectively stopped there and then. 

All these women are so passionate about the game, and they had to really stand up for their rights to play the game they loved.They didn't give up, and they worked and worked to progress the game and are still working tirelessley. And they were on the receiving end of many horrible comments or suggestions. We make think that we have a battle now, but goodness they battled so much to make things easier for us. 

The presentations were great, amd the discussions interesting. The women all looked amazing, and makes me feel positive for hopefully ageing well !!!!