Page 19 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.17 2021-22

Heritage programme for women’s football

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded £500,000 to a programme which will record the
hidden history of women’s football and launch a celebration of the game, its players, and
communities, alongside the UEFA Women’s EURO this summer.
It’s an important year for women’s football, as England hosts the UEFA Women’s EURO
and England Women mark their 50th anniversary. However, the history of the game goes back a
lot further than many might think. This year also marks 141 years since women’s football was first
played professionally.
In partnership with the FA and led by Rotherham Council and Milton Keynes Council, the
National Lottery funded programme aims to challenge the common perception of women’s
football being ‘new’ and change the nation’s understanding of ‘the English game’. In addition to
the National Lottery funding, the FA and host cities have contributed nearly £600,000 to the
project, making a total of £1,060,580.
For the very first time, information about every England player, captain, goalscorer and
match score since 1972 will be researched, recorded and shared alongside the information that
already exists about men’s football. Hosted on England Football’s website, the record will
continue to be updated, ensuring future female players are part of the footballing story. The
project will particularly explore the role of the LGBTQ+ community.
The nine UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 host cities (Brighton & Hove, London, Manchester,
Milton Keynes, Rotherham, Sheffield, Southampton, Trafford and Wigan & Leigh) will take part
in a summer of exhibitions, memory films, oral histories and community activities.
Professor Jean Williams, who will be leading the historical research to support the
programme, said: 'This National Lottery funded programme is of enormous significance as the
first nationally coordinated project of its kind to, firstly collect the history of women’s football in
England, and secondly to share that unique heritage with the widest possible public audience. We
are finding new artefacts and stories all the time, and are excited to share how women, and girls
have historically pioneered football.”
Eilish McGuinness, CEO of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Thanks to money
raised by National Lottery players, the hidden history and unheard voices of women’s football will
be shared for the first time, capturing the full story of the beloved sport. We’re delighted to
support this project which will give fans and players the chance to celebrate the history of women’s
football and communities to discover their connections to the game.”
Baroness Sue Campbell, UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Board Member and Director of
Women’s Football, The FA, said: “We are thrilled to be working with our UEFA Women’s EURO
Host City partners and The National Lottery Heritage Fund on this unique programme. Together
we will bring to the fore incredible stories of the pioneers of women’s football who have helped
shape the women’s game we have today.
“The programme will also capture and tell, for generations to come, the profiles and stories
of current and future England players, ensuring fans are better informed than ever before. With
the UEFA Women’s EURO coming to England this summer, this really is the time to celebrate our
past and look forward to a very exciting future.”
The organisations involved in UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 host city Heritage Programme
activations are:
● Brighton & Hove – Royal Pavilion and Museums Trust
● London – LBs of Brent and Hounslow, Gunnersbury Park Museum, Wembley Park, GLA
● Manchester – National Football Museum
● Milton Keynes – Milton Keynes Council
● Rotherham – Rotherham Council
● Sheffield – Sheffield City Council
● Southampton – Southampton City Council
● Trafford – Trafford Council
● Wigan & Leigh – Wigan Council
Issue no. 17 - 13 January 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk