One of England’s greatest ever women’s football teams is finally being recognised – 100 years after they played their last game.
The final whistle blew for St Helens Ladies in the 1920s after the FA controversially banned women from playing organised football.
It will be a proud day for football historian Steve Bolton, 60, whose granny Lizzy Ashcroft was a member of the last St Helens side.
Steve said: “These women were amazing. They were pioneers who were forced to stop playing organised matches because of the dreadful decision-making of the FA at the time.”
(Image: STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY)
(Image: STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY)
From the 1900s, women’s football was hugely popular in England. Teams played friendlies and raised money for charities, often in front of large crowds, but the FA banned matches at its members’ grounds in 1921 as “unsuitable for females”. The ban lasted 50 years, until 1971.
Having defied the order for two years, St Helens played their last match in 1923 against Lizzy’s former club Dick, Kerr Ladies – who had won all 18 of their previous encounters.
Steve said: “But in this final game they won 5-1 – a brilliant way to finish up.” Steve will be joined at the ceremony tomorrow in Queens Park, St Helens, Merseyside, by local MP Marie Rimmer.
(Image: STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY)
He was just a child when Lizzy died, aged 68, in 1973. He said: “I remember visiting a grizzled old lady in poor health. I would not have recognised the stunning young woman in her photos.
“They show a joie de vivre, emancipation and friendship across class divides which few working class girls were fortunate to experience and even fewer people appreciate existed.”