What they did next: Millwall Lionesses 1991 Women’s FA Cup winners

Spotlight on Millwall Lionesses 1991 – Women’s FA Cup winners     In an iconic final, Millwall Lionesses’ class of ’91 beat Doncaster Belles, the holders, 1–0 at Prenton Park to lift their first Women’s FA Cup. In the Greater London League they saw off Friends of Fulham and Arsenal to qualify for the firstContinue reading “What they did next: Millwall Lionesses 1991 Women’s FA Cup winners”

Match: Lowestoft 2–0 Cleveland, 1 May 1982, Loftus Road

Loftus Road 1 May 1982 – Lowestoft Ladies 2–0 Cleveland Ladies   Woe for Cleveland as Lowestoft’s Linda Curl and Angie Poppy put a new name on the Women’s FA Cup   Classic match report: Spartans dashed by Waves who secure 1982 WFA Cup     In May 1982 goals from Linda Curl (26) andContinue reading “Match: Lowestoft 2–0 Cleveland, 1 May 1982, Loftus Road”

Players: Pat Davies

Pat “Thunder” Davies     Born: c.1955, Netley Position: Striker Debut: Scotland (A) 18 November 1972 Occupation: Valuations clerk (1972)   Nicknamed “Thunder” for her booming shot, England’s original centre-forward was small in stature but big in goals.   A deadly striker whose aerial prowess belied her lack of inches, Davies burst on the sceneContinue reading “Players: Pat Davies”

Players: Janet Bagguley

Janet Bagguley     Born: c.1955, Buxton Position: Defensive midfield Debut: Scotland (A) 18 November 1972 Occupation: TBC   Midfield enforcer Bagguley, 17, made it through the trials into Eric Worthington’s original England squad in 1972. She also played netball to a high standard.  

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”

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”

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

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”