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Chris Williams
1 Posted 11/12/2020 at 09:01:21
Thanks Rob,

What an interesting article. A brilliant piece of research.

The patronising tone of the humour of the time would lead to widespread condemnation and trolling on social media these days, as would the notion that ‘the ladies’ were not up to the physical demands of the game.

Great stuff!

Derek Thomas
2 Posted 11/12/2020 at 09:29:04
More good stuff, Rob. It's taken some time but the Women's game is here to stay.
Danny O’Neill
3 Posted 11/12/2020 at 18:08:46
Fascinating article and as always Rob, meticulous research.

A few thoughts and observations.

1. I will shamefully expose my ignorance to having no idea the history of the female game stretches back that far. Thank you for educating me in that respect.

2. The article reinforces the historical link between the beautiful game and the workplace.

3. I appreciate it was a different era and people lived under different values, but I wonder where the women's game would be now had it not been restricted and constrained for decades as it was.

4. There is some consistency. Namely the FA. The men in suits clearly have always bowed to politicians, influential businesses and the media of the day.

Lastly, Dixie; ahead of his time in supporting and promoting the female game.

Thank you, Rob.

Paul Birmingham
4 Posted 11/12/2020 at 19:29:51
Another fantastic read, thanks Rob.

Superb and it’s very humbling, comparing the bygone times to the present! But what fantastic spirit and belief, and determination.

Let’s hope tomorrow the EFC first team, is up for the game.

Chris Williams
5 Posted 11/12/2020 at 19:36:25
I don’t even remember the women’s team in the 90s!
Stephen Bolton
6 Posted 14/12/2020 at 19:41:15
Fab article. The two captains are my granny Lizzy Ashcroft and the legendary Carmen Pomies. This was granny's third-to-last game before retiring after 13 years with the Dick, Kerr Ladies. She had taken over the Captaincy from her great mate Lily Parr.

Check out British Pathe "Women's Football and Cadet Ceremony" (dated incorrectly at 1938). Some fab clips of my granny blocking Carmen and then Carmen diddling her for a goal. That game was played on Thursday 1 August 1935 at West Ham Greyhound/Speedway Stadium.

Hugo Kondratiuk
7 Posted 15/12/2020 at 17:53:37
My grandad was at that match in 1920 and often used to talk about it. He said (no doubt with a bit of poetic licence) that there were 80,000 in the ground when it kicked off. But once the pubs had opened during the game the lure of a pint proved too strong, and by the final whistle there were barely a couple of thousand left inside. It certainly left a lifelong impression though, as well as raising a good sum for the veterans of whom he was one.
Danny O’Neill
8 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:08:27
I appreciate this one maybe slightly unfollowed now, but notice the BBC playing catch up on Rob's article today with a post on the same topic! You should claim copyrights Rob!

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