Player: Miss C.V. Richards

The death of Miss C.V. Richards: A tragedy felt right round the world   England booked their place at the 2015 Women’s World Cup this week, with a 4–0 win in Cardiff. Wales’s mad five minutes just before half-time saw them ship three ridiculous goals and turned the match into a tedious cakewalk. But eventsContinue reading “Player: Miss C.V. Richards”

Ann Chiejine: Nigeria’s Princess of Goalkeepers

Ann Chiejine: Groundbreaking Falcons ‘keeper   We’ve all heard the lazy stereotypes about African goalkeepers (“naïve” “erratic”), and female goalkeepers (“rubbish”). Ann Agumanu-Chiejine is a living, breathing repudiation of both. One of Africa’s finest ever goalkeepers, the Nigerian’s athleticism and breathtaking acrobatic ability earned her five consecutive African Nations Cups with the Super Falcons, asContinue reading “Ann Chiejine: Nigeria’s Princess of Goalkeepers”

Anne O’Brien: Irish soccer legend

Anne O’Brien: Irish soccer star who carved out a glittering career on mainland Europe   The girl from Dublin who dreamed big – overcoming incredible obstacles to make her mark in international soccer. In the course of a long and successful career she won six Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia winner’s medals and etchedContinue reading “Anne O’Brien: Irish soccer legend”

1997: The first UEFA under–18 tournament

England’s first taste of women’s football at youth team level   England’s under-19 team have been in Norway this past week, in UEFA Championship action, while next week the under-20s take centre stage at their World Cup in Canada.   Now a regular part of the football calendar, it is only in recent years thatContinue reading “1997: The first UEFA under–18 tournament”

Portopia ’81 – England women tour Japan

Caught in time: the England women’s football team jet off to Japan in September 1981   In autumn 1981, coach Martin Reagan’s charges made history by becoming the first England national team ever to visit the Land of the Rising Sun.   According to the Japanese FA, the Portpier 81 International Ladies Football Festival tournamentContinue reading “Portopia ’81 – England women tour Japan”

Players: Jane Stanley

Jane Stanley: Raising the Standard   Born: 13 April 1964 Position: Forward Debut: Ireland (H) 27 April 1986 Occupation: Sports Development Assistant (1987), Pro footballer (1989)   A prolific scorer and exquisite ball player who broke new ground in Belgium with Standard Liège, doing much to improve the reputation of England’s footballers on the continent.

Administrator: Flo Bilton

Florence “Flo” Bilton   Born: c.1921, Hull Position: Goalkeeper Debut: N/A Occupation: Factory Worker (1963)   Flo Bilton: Hull’s favourite footballing daughter   An influential player in the formation of the Hull Women’s FA in 1968 and the WFA in 1969, Bilton served as WFA membership secretary for many years and was a plucky andContinue reading “Administrator: Flo Bilton”

Northern Ireland women’s football team: A potted history

Northern Ireland Women’s Football Team – Matches   This is a list of matches played by the Northern Ireland women’s national football team.   It is not yet complete and remains something of a work in progress because records are still very sketchy. For example, there may well have been some more low-key, cross-border matchesContinue reading “Northern Ireland women’s football team: A potted history”

Administrator: June Jaycocks

June Jaycocks: WFA Footsoldier   Born: c.1936, Brighton Position: Debut: N/A Occupation: Telephonist? (1967)   An influential player in the formation of the WFA in 1969. She served as WFA International Officer for many years and was another dedicated volunteer who kept women’s football going despite a chronic lack of funding or official support.

Match: England 0–2 Sweden, 23 May 1989, Wembley

Wembley Stadium 23 May 1989 – England 0–2 Sweden   Old foes Sweden put one over on England AGAIN   Classic match report: The story of England women’s first football match at Wembley Stadium   In May 1989 England lost their first full match at Wembley Stadium to goals from Swedish greats Pia Sundhage (6)Continue reading “Match: England 0–2 Sweden, 23 May 1989, Wembley”