1/5
Today we salute these genuine pioneering women of football:-

SUE BUCKETT
SHEILA PARKER
WENDY OWEN
MORAG KIRKLAND
JEANNIE ALLOTT
JANET BAGGULEY
PAT DAVIS
EILEEN FOREMAN
SANDRA GRAHAM
LYNDA HALE
JULIE MANNING
MARGARET (Paddy) MCGROARTY
SLYVIA GORE
SUE WHYATT
JEAN WILSON

2/5
This was the England squad for their 1st ever international played 48 years ago today (18-11-72)

They beat Scotland 3-2

Whilst the great Sylvia (Gore) is remembered with fondness for her goal & work, during & beyond her playing days, the other 14 hardly ever get a mention

3/5
The squad was picked by England Manager, ERIC WORTHINGTON, from a wider squad of 25, selected through a system of meritocracy based on area, regional & national trials across the whole of England from over 200 women

They were the best & the 1st to don the 3 Lionesses Shirt

4/5
This was the climax of years of work by many unsung/unpaid/overworked volunteers, the WFA, eg. PAT GREGORY, FLO BILTON, DAVID HUNT, etc

They fought many battles & the reluctant men of the smoke filled corridors of Lancaster Gate, the FA, to get recogntion

We thank you

5/5
1972, I was considered not ready to join these great players

2 yrs later I was playing alongside 7 of them & in 1976 I was honoured to captain 3 of them

Morag & Sheila, went on to play in the 84 Euro finals with me

I am so lucky

So, to all aspiring girls #DreamsDoHappen