womensfootballarchive

Players: Jane Stanley

A smiling woman with curly brown hair in a red, white and blue T-shirt

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 smiling outside Rediffusion's building, shaking hands with and accepting a cheque from the company's manager

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

Two women footballers challenge for the ball in the bottom right of the picture

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”

Players: Paddy McGroarty

A smiling woman with short dark hair sitting down and holding a trophy shield

Margaret “Paddy” McGroarty Born: c.1948, Scotland? Position: Midfield Debut: Scotland (A) 18 November 1972 Occupation: Booking clerk (1972) A small and skilful but tough attacking midfielder or playmaker in England’s first national team. Like Kim Little 40 years later, she was an archetypal “tanner ba’ player” in the classic Scottish traditions.

Players: Jackie Sherrard

Head and shoulders shot of a smiling young woman with short curly brown hair in a white t shirt with red and blue stripes

Jackie Sherrard: “The best pure footballer at the Belles” Born: 9 June 1966, Belper Position: Centre-half, midfielder Debut: Sweden (H) 30 October 1983 Occupation: Production clerk (1987), Clerical supervisor (1991), Materials and systems manager (1994) A gifted all-round sportswoman who reportedly played field hockey for England at under 21 level. Turning her attentionsContinue reading “Players: Jackie Sherrard”

The Deal International Tournament

Fact: The Deal Tournament (later known as the Deal International Tournament) was a women’s football competition first organised in 1967 by Arthur Hobbs, a carpenter with Deal Town Council. Hobbs had been a decent amateur footballer in his youth and he settled in Kent after being posted there with the army in theContinue reading “The Deal International Tournament”

Players: Linda Curl

Smiling woman with brown shoulder-length hair in a white t-shirt with blue and red stripes

Linda Curl Born: c.1962, Norwich Position: Striker Debut: Switzerland (H) 28 April 1977 Occupation: Policewoman (1988) The Lioness of Arco: a long-serving striking legend with an insatiable appetite for goals. Norwich police officer who was a player for the big occasion—with the medals to prove it—and a loyal servant to the EnglishContinue reading “Players: Linda Curl”

Martin Reagan: women’s football boss was D-Day hero

Martin Reagan, manager of the England women’s football team between October 1979 and December 1990, is a World War Two hero. Tyneside-born Reagan turned 90 last month and has led a life straight from the pages of Boy’s Own. While today’s feckless teens spend their time sniffing “meow meow” or filming “happy slappings” on theirContinue reading “Martin Reagan: women’s football boss was D-Day hero”