First England captain
I started kicking a football around at a very young age – 8 or 9 – and played on the recreation ground near where I lived and was over the moon when I made my first sliding tackle. I remember getting changed behind the stairs door one Saturday after playing in the rain and mud hoping my mother would not see my kit but, yes, she did and wasn’t very happy.
I went to watch Chorley FC every week and picked up one or two points by watching how the players played.
In those days the formation was:
Goal Keeper, Right Back, Left Back, Right Half, Centre Half, Left Half, Right Wing, Inside right, Centre Forward, Inside left + Left Wing.
In 1960 I signed for my first team aged 13 and enjoyed every game I played which wasn’t that many as there were very few teams at that time and some of the grounds and changing facilities were very basic – we managed because we enjoyed playing the game so much. We also had to travel far distances to play because of the lack of ladies football teams.
In 1969 things certainly changed. The WFA was formed and more teams became available to play against and later on Leagues were formed and the International scene came alive, thanks so much to the WFA.
I captained the first ever WFA England side in a 3-2 win over Scotland and as the England team we travelled to several overseas countries which in those days was marvellous as we were all down to earth girls and loved playing Football. In 1981 England toured Japan (playing the hosts, Italy and Denmark) in preparation for the forthcoming UEFA Cup Tournament.
In my eyes the WFA brought the game into being with many different competitions taking place and Leagues being created.
May 2017
History of the Women's Football Association 