With thanks to Lottery Players through the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we will be running events and programmes across the summer in all our Host Cities to celebrate the fascinating 140-year history of women’s football in England. Through a series of outdoor displays, films, online and museum exhibitions, talks, workshops and events, you will have the chance to meet some of the key people and events that have shaped the game we know and love today. There is a chance for you to join in through a photographic competition run with Getty Images, and through a free training programme for fans and clubs that want to start or better manage their own collections.
Coming soon!
Log in on 1 July to get an overview of the women’s game through the decades. Working with football historians, former and current players, Getty Images and with museum and heritage partners in Host Cities we will reveal the history of the women’s game in England, with a special emphasis on local stories from our nine Host Cities - complete with 36 new memory films from former players from the 1950s through to the recently retired and still playing.
UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Exhibition
Opening on 6 July, and running throughout the tournament, in city centres and parks, a specially commissioned free outdoor exhibition will be displayed in: Wembley Park, Gunnersbury Park, Southampton Above Bar Street, Milton Keynes Station Square, Trafford, Sheffield, Leigh Civic Square, and Clifton Park, charting the hidden history of women’s football and the UEFA Women’s EURO Championships. Discover stories of the Dick, Kerr Ladies, Manchester Corinthians, Mutionettes, the first England Women’s Team, inspiring pioneers and gamechangers, changing fashions, official and unofficial World Cups, and most of all, resilience and staying power.
Each Host City will be telling unique local stories as part of the programme – visit all eight cities to get the full story!
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London | Gunnersbury Park - 2 locations | W3 8LQ
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London | Wembley Way | HA9 6JJ
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Milton Keynes | Station Square | MK9 1LA
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Rotherham | Clifton Park | S65 2BH
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Sheffield | Sheaf Square | S1 2BP | Town Hall | S1 2HH | Sheffield Cathedral | S1 1HA
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Southampton | Above Bar Street | SO14 7DZ
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Trafford | Trafford Wharf Road | M17 1AB | Sir Alex Ferguson Way | M17 1WS | Alongside the Canal
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Leigh | Civic Square | WN7 1EB
Can you help us preserve football history?
If you are part of a club or a fan group and have a women’s football collection, or would like to start one, you can join one of two free online training courses in September to help you better preserve and care for your objects.
Collecting, sorting, storing and sharing your stories
For fans and collectors who may have a collection or are looking to start collecting their sporting heritage. The 10-hour course will provide an understanding why it is so important to collect and safeguard you sporting heritage. It will provide guidance and support to all participants so they can start collecting and caring for their football heritage. Participants will gain confidence in how to collect, record and store material in line with heritage best practice. The course will also provide ideas to help them share their stories with a wider community.
Information and tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/collecting-sorting-storing-sharing-your-football-heritage-tickets-358367856907
Managing collections to support effective audience engagement
This 10-hour course is for non-heritage professional collection holders who are wanting to improve their collection management skills and use their collections to engage with their audiences. It will provide holders of football collections with an understanding why it is so important to collect and safeguard their sporting heritage. How, in doing this, their collections can be used more effectively and creatively to engage audiences. This course will provide guidance and support to all participants so they can ensure that their collection management is in line with heritage best practice. It will also explore different models of collection-based audience engagement using examples from across the Sporting Heritage network.
Information and tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-manage-your-collections-engage-your-audiences-tickets-358382691277
UK Web Archive
We’re working in partnership with the UK Web Archive, collecting websites about the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022.
Nominate a website for us to archive – it’s free and easy to do webarchive.org.uk/en/ukwa/info/nominate
Photographic Competition
We will be launching the competition very soon!
Host City heritage exhibitions and events
Brent (Wembley)
Women of the Match: Portraits of Brent’s Female Football Stars
Brent Civic Centre
18 June – 6 November 2022
Women of the Match celebrates the achievements of women involved in football in the London Borough of Brent. The exhibition features photographic portraits of stars both on and off the pitch and showcases memorabilia. Including portraits of former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur star, Eartha Pond, and Assistant Head of Coaching at QPR, Manisha Tailor. The exhibition shows Brent’s diversity, and highlights the growth and development of football in the female community in the borough. You can get more involved by donating their Brent women’s football memorabilia - look out for events at libraries across the borough!
Catch football fever and be inspired by the women of Brent influencing the beautiful game!
One two, one two: Inspirational Stories from Brent’s Women of Football
Olympic Way, Wembley Park
And Bobby Moore Bridge, Wembley Park
6-30 July
Take a walk through Bobby Moore Bridge or sit on historic seats from Wembley Stadium and listen to local football stars speak about their experiences in the sport. Taking a seat on Olympic Way, you can absorb the iconic view of Wembley Stadium, home of English football. You can also share your stories on social media using the #Wembleyseats
More information: www.brent.gov.uk/libraries-arts-and-heritage/brent-museum-and-archives
Brighton
Goal Power! Women’s Football, 1894-2022
18 June – 25 Sept 2022
Brighton Museum & Art Gallery
This exhibition gives you Brighton Museum’s dream squad, women who have dedicated their lives to the ‘beautiful game’. Share in their stories of resistance, perseverance, but above all a love for football that means they have trailblazed the way for women and girls today. From the feminist players of 1894 and the war worker footballers of the First World War to those who defied the ban and those who have changed game from within.
Be inspired by real life stories of courage and determination.
See incredible personal objects, such as football boots from 1921, the tea set given to German footballer Petra Landers by the German FA for winning the European Championship in 1989, the shirt belonging to founder of the Afghanistan women’s football team, Khalida Popal.
From the end of July, there will be the chance to play on newly commissioned special female football table, featuring local teams, Brighton & Hove Albion and Lewes FC.
More information: www.brightonmuseums.org.uk
Hounslow – Gunnersbury Park
Offside: Women’s Football in West London & Beyond
Gunnersbury Park Museum
5 July – 9 October 2022
Discover the history and evolution of the women’s game throughout the capital with a focus on stories from Hounslow and Ealing.
Celebrate the diversity and inclusivity seen across local and national teams – from the ground-breaking Black and Asian players of the 1990s, West London’s first football club for Afghan and Muslim girls, Abresham FC, to the first out lesbian team. Explore the significance of Brentford Football Club’s Griffin Park in women’s football history and the West London origins of ‘Bend It Like Beckham’.
The exhibition will be supported by never-before-seen photographs and material from club and personal archives. It will feature kits from England legend Kerry Davis, Abresham FC, and Martine Rose’s ‘Lost Lionesses’ shirt as well as interviews with women’s football pioneers including Patricia Gregory and Brentford Football Club’s Rebekah Wiltshire.
More information: www.visitgunnersbury.org
Manchester
Crossing the Line: The Story of Women’s Football
National Football Museum
6 July – 31 December
The National Football Museum has launched a new exhibition dedicated to the history of the women’s game – and wants you to be part of it!
The new exhibition, Crossing the Line: the story of women’s football, chronicles the game’s early growth, the effects of The FA’s de facto 1921 ban, its survival and its resurgence in recent decades.
The exhibition is split into two halves. The first half tells the story of the women’s game up until the ban, from its nineteenth-century origins to the all-conquering Dick, Kerr Ladies.
The second half kicks off later in the summer, focusing on the present state of play within women’s football, from the grassroots up to the professional game.
The museum will be collecting stories and objects from players, supporters and communities, answering important questions and celebrating its perseverance, growth and increasing popularity.
Over the course of the Score Gallery exhibition, the museum is asking visitors to #CrossTheLine, contributing their thoughts and sharing their stories within the exhibition itself and via social media.
More information: https://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/whatson/crossing-the-line/
Complementing the exhibition, the museum will also be hosting a series of talks, events and activities, including:
Euro Heroes: England Celebration Day
National Football Museum
25 June & 31 August 2022
A series of one-day festivals at the National Football Museum! They’ll be honouring the Lionesses with a host of activities, including:
● A brand-new gallery trail launch – featuring a prize giveaway!
● Face painting.
● Live music from their favourite brass band, playing England and football fan classics
● Make Your Own Tournament Armband Activity
● Design your own football stickers!
Plus, footy interactives, oral history events, storytelling with famous authors and loads more!
Free upon entry to the museum, i.e. free to Manchester residents and existing ticket-holders.
More information on: www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/whats-on-nfm/
Milton Keynes
‘Show and Tell’ Collection Roadshow
Milton Keynes Museum
Saturday 11 June 2022,
To celebrate the UEFA European Women’s Championship 2022 coming to Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes Museum and Living Archive MK are collecting memories, photos and objects related to local women’s football past and present.
Come and inspire us with your items, stories and memories!
A team of museum staff and volunteers will be conducting short interviews with anyone who has a story they’d like to tell, helping us to build a picture of women’s football history. From playing with friends after school to joining a grassroots team later in life, having a stint as a professional player, or simply being a fan of local women’s football, we are interested in YOUR story and invite you to share your memorabilia, personal objects and photographs with us.
There is no obligation to donate anything to the museum – these are ‘show and tell’ events where you are invited to bring anything you’d like to share along and there will be a chance to meet like-minded fans with other items.
More info: www.miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk
Celebrating Community Women’s Football in Milton Keynes
Newly commissioned portraits of players along with their experience of playing recreational football as part of a touring Library exhibition
Central Library | 16 June – 2 July
Bletchley Library | 4 July – 8 August
Kingston Library | 9 August – 3 September
Stony Stratford Library | 6 September – 1 October
Rotherham
Grass Roots to Glory – Our Story So Far
Clifton Park Museum
18 June – 9 October 2022
This free exhibition charts the powerful and personal story of women’s football across Rotherham. Discover where it all began, from the grassroots of Rotherham playing fields to the international pitches of European Championships. Hear the voices of our local lionesses recounting their achievements as well as women who have strived to give the game the centre stage it deserves. Discover the stories of passionate football fans and the female coaches and commentators who have turned their passion into a profession. Come along and be inspired as we celebrate Rotherham’s status as a host city of UEFA European Women’s Championship 2022!
PLUS!
• Free family activities on the opening day. Meet the women who have given their stories and objects to create the exhibition.
• Step into our comms box and commentate a local game to your family.
• Hold up the trophy and take a selfie to share with us on social media.
• Share you hopes and memories about the UEFA European Women’s Championship games taking place in Rotherham in July.
• Create your own unofficial personalised merchandise
Little Kicks
Clifton Park Museum
22 June, 5 July, 6 July, 20 July
Suitable for ages 1-4, FREE (no need to book)
Join Little Nelson for a super sporty session of outdoor games! Practice throwing and catching, then have a go at scoring into our own mini-goal. Every child receives a medal for taking part.
‘Make your own Footy Shirt’ with Alistair Flindall
Clifton Park Museum
Wednesday 24 & 31 August
Got an old footy shirt or t-shirt you no longer wear? Are you a fashionista keen to make your mark? Come along to upcycle and revamp your merch with simple alterations, a personalised logo, lettering and numbers assisted by our graphic artist, Alastair and his heat press!
Suitable for families with children 6+. Free to enter.
More information: www.Cliftonpark.org.uk
Southampton
SeaCity Museum
25 June – 30 November 2022
Visit SeaCity Museum this summer to discover the pioneering world of women’s football! For the first time in Southampton, photographs, objects, and oral history about the women’s game will be on display. Learn about the origins of the First World War factory teams in 1917, and later why women were stopped from playing. Discover how Southampton Common was the birthplace of Southampton Women’s FC – the most successful Southampton team ever - (winning 8 WFA Cup Finals). And find out about Southampton’s connection to the earliest national England teams, both official and unofficial!
You can get involved too!
On the Ball: The Trailblazers of Southampton
Southampton Art Gallery Lecture Theatre
8 July 2022
Most Sotonians knows when the Saints won The FA cup, right? But what about the Southampton’s Women's team? Join some of the ex-Southampton Women’s FC and England players from 1970s and 1980s for a special one-off Q&A event and discover the story of the most successful side (with eight FA cups wins) Southampton has ever seen!
Hear their astonishing stories of muddy pitches, international travel, lack of equipment, sexism, but above all their desire and passion for the beautiful game.
All monies made from this event will be donated to Hampshire FA to help fund their soccercise classes for women in Swathling, any amount you can give will be gratefully received. Tickets available late-June.
Knitting Drop-In Session: Make A Football Scarf
SeaCity Museum
2 July & 6 August 2022
Join artist Jilly Evans to make a football scarf and discover over 100 years of women’s football in Southampton. Wool, needles and patterns are provided at every session. Please book in advance.
Finished scarfs will be displayed at The Hidden Wardrobe, Northam, later in 2022.
More information - https://seacitymuseum.co.uk and tickets: http://https//www.wegottickets.com/event/549371/
Sheffield
Onside: A Celebration of Women’s Football
Community Conference with a difference…
The Howard Building, Sheffield Hallam University
2 July 2020
Onside: A celebration of women’s football will be an exciting series of questions and answers about all aspect of the wonderful game of football. Free event - just turn up at the Howard Building, Sheffield Hallam University and you’ll be directed to the right venue
Trafford
Women’s Football in Trafford
Trafford Local Studies Centre
10 June – 10 July
In the weeks leading up to the opening match, Trafford will be exploring the local history of women’s football. The Trafford borough may cover little more than forty square miles, but significant games, teams, and tournaments have taken place across the region, and have played their part in the development of the sport.
There are records of women’s football games in the area going back to the late-nineteenth century. In 1921, a game between Dick, Kerr Ladies and Bath Ladies at Old Trafford was watched by over 30,000 visitors, and throughout the twenty-first century significant games were staged at White City, Stretford, Timperley, and other venues across the borough. Over the last fifty years many prominent teams have been established in the area: such as Sale Hotel, Trafford, and Redstar (to name a few), while Trafford women have played for prominent teams outside of our borough.
A new virtual exhibition aims to capture not only the voices of women from Trafford who played football, but also those who played for women’s football teams based in Trafford. Trafford Local Studies is uncovering these stories through an oral history programme, virtual and on-site exhibitions, and a contemporary collecting programme. They are keen to hear the memories of women who have contributed to this rich history of women’s football in the area. They are also keen to locate objects – such as match programmes and other memorabilia – which helps us tell this story.
More information: https://exploringtraffordsheritage.omeka.net/exhibits
History of Women's Football
National Football Museum
1 July 2022
Join Dr Gary James for a celebration of women's football. This talk and panel discussion will uncover the history of women’s football, focusing on the Trafford borough starting in the 1890s; then covering the sport's growth in the early twentieth century; the 1921 FA ban and its local impact; the pioneering teams and individuals of the interwar and post war years; then the game's rise and development throughout to the modern day. With particular emphasis on players, games and teams from Trafford this promises to be an entertaining talk.
The second half takes on a different tone as former players from local teams take to the stage to provide their experiences. Former players from the pioneering Manchester Corinthians, Manchester City and the original Manchester United women's teams will be interviewed about their careers. Their experiences and enthusiasm for the sport provide a valuable insight into over sixty years of football history. Trafford has a proud history of women's football and this event will explain how the women ensured the game developed despite a near fifty year ban and other obstacles placed in their way.
Free (though the National Football Museum usual charges apply) - https://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/whats-on-nfm/ .
Wigan & Leigh
A Place At The Table
Library venues Mon-Saturday 10-2pm
Leigh Town Hall Tue-Saturday 10-4pm
Leigh Leisure Centre 9-7pm
Leigh Indoor Market & Spinning gate 9-5pm
8 July – 31 July 2022
An opportunity for everyone to get involved, with publicly sited interactive table football games, that follow the journey of the women’s game in the borough. With locations across the borough, each table depicts local matches that have taken place across the last century, highlighting the place of women in football, with parallels of developing rights for women and wider society at that time. Players can enter a prize draw to win some unique sporting memorabilia.
Details of the project and how to get involved are available via www.thefirewithin.org.uk
The project is open to everyone to get involved; play the game with family and friends.
UEFA Women’s EURO Exhibition
Archives: Wigan & Leigh (Leigh Town Hall)
8 July-30 September
A new free temporary exhibition on display as part of the family-friendly exhibition at the Archives, showcasing the astonishing stories that make up the local history of the borough. Including loans from former England Women football players.
Around the Match Window Exhibition
Archives: Wigan & Leigh (Leigh Town Hall)
8 July - 30 September 2022
A new temporary window exhibition that offers fresh insight into the women of football in and ‘around the match' - the voices that make the game on and off the pitch. The exhibition forms part of the Around the Match project by We Are Willow – full details of the project available Around the Match // UEFA Women's Euro England 2022 - 11 Women of diverse ages and backgrounds
More information: www.wigan.gov.uk/archives
