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In celebration of #WomensFootballWeekend, we take you through the Berkshire women’s football history journey right here in this thread.
In 1895, the British Ladies Football Club play a match at @ReadingFC home-ground, Caversham Cricket Ground, drawing a crowd higher than the men’s previous record attendance.
#WomensFootballWeekend
#WomensFootballWeekend
Women’s football received mixed reviews.
“Ladies football may never be sufficiently exciting to men to become a paying proposition as a spectacle for public exhibition but Saturday’s game certainly demonstrates as an exercise it is quite harmless”.
“Ladies football may never be sufficiently exciting to men to become a paying proposition as a spectacle for public exhibition but Saturday’s game certainly demonstrates as an exercise it is quite harmless”.
“I cannot believe that [men] would show any greater knowledge of the game or skill. I don’t think the lady footballer is to be snuffed out by a number of leading articles written by old men out of sympathy both with football as a game and the aspirations of the young new women.”
In 1921, women’s football is banned on any grounds affiliated with the @FA on the premise that “…the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged.”
#WomensFootballWeekend
#WomensFootballWeekend
The ban did little to mellow the enthusiasm many women had developed for the game of football and many games played were often done with charitable intentions.
#WomensFootballWeekend
#WomensFootballWeekend
In 1922, Reading Ladies played Ediswan Ladies in Reading in front of a crowd of 2,000 spectators in aid of Royal Berkshire Hospital. Reading Ladies won the game 2-1.
#WomensFootballWeekend
#WomensFootballWeekend
Women’s football took a considerable decline in both participation and spectatorship during the ban. Many women’s teams found it difficult to find alternative grounds and were disbanded. By 1939, the outbreak of WW2, numbers had dwindled significantly.
#WomensFootballWeekend
#WomensFootballWeekend
The success of the men’s international team in the World Cup of 1966, saw participation surge once again and women’s teams begin to spring up.
#WomensFootballWeekend
#WomensFootballWeekend
In 1971, @FA formally lift the ban on women playing football at affiliated grounds.
#WomensFootballWeekend
#WomensFootballWeekend
In 1973, the first international game to be played on a football league ground takes place at Elm Park, Reading between @Lionesses and @oranjevrouwen on the 9th November. 2,013 fans watch England win 1-0, the largest crowd ever for a women’s international fixture.
In 1988, @ReadingFC becomes affiliated with Reading Royals LFC (known previously as Twyford Comets).
In 1993, the Women’s Football Committee is set up to run the women’s game in the UK.
#WomensFootballWeekend
#WomensFootballWeekend
In 1997, @FA outline a strategy to establish the women’s game from grassroots to elite status.
#WomensFootballWeekend
#WomensFootballWeekend
In 1997, Reading Royals LFC top the table having played 18 games, winning 15 games and losing just 3 for a total of 45 points.
#WomensFootballWeekend
#WomensFootballWeekend
In 2002, football is confirmed as the top participation sport for girls and women in England.
#WomensFootballWeekend
#WomensFootballWeekend
In 2006, @ReadingFC end their affiliation with Reading Royals and establish their own team @ReadingFCWomen.
#WomensFootballWeekend
#WomensFootballWeekend
In 2008, @Maidenhead_WFC are established, starting initially in Division 1 of the @SthRgnWFL.
#WomensFootballWeekend
#WomensFootballWeekend
