100 years on: a home win for the women’s game

By Lancashire Business View

19 Jul 2017

The most successful women’s football team in history has been recognised for its pioneering play on the pitch 100 years ago.

The Preston factory team Dick, Kerr Ladies FC, was featured in a documentary about the women’s game on Channel 4.

Earlier this year the first blue plaque dedicated to women’s football was officially unveiled in Preston to celebrate the centenary of the creation of Dick, Kerr Ladies FC.

The team of Lancashire female munitions factory workers went on to play in front of enthusiastic crowds of more than 50,000.

Their success was only stopped by a ban from the FA in 1921 which stopped the women’s game from being played on football grounds and lasted half a century.

The Dick, Kerr and Co factory on Strand Road in Preston is now home to multinational rail company Alstom. And it’s where the plaque now has pride of place.

The grandson of founding player Grace Sibbert, David Coulton, and Valerie Conn, the granddaughter of the team’s first ever captain, Alice Kell, officially unveiled it.

They were joined by former players Sheila Parker, who started her playing career in Preston and went on to become the first captain of the England team in 1972, and June Gregson who played for the ladies in the 1940s and 50s.

The ceremony and the TV documentary come at a time when women’s football is gaining a new audience through the BBC’s televising of the Women’s Super League.

Attendances are also starting to grow with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea among the big teams in the emerging English domestic game.

David said: “The part my grandmother played in getting the team started in 1917 always fills me with pride whenever I see photos of the teams or read about their exploits as pioneering ladies footballers.

“The unveiling is a fitting tribute to the girls of Dick Kerr and the memories they have left to us and the future of women’s football.”

Gail Newsham is the author of a book about the exploits of the team and has worked hard to preserve its legacy.

She said: “I have been championing the Dick, Kerr Ladies for 25 years. No other town or city in the world can boast the proud history of this pioneering team.

“I have always believed in them and been in awe of their success. They certainly deserve this long overdue honour. This blue plaque is the first in the world for the best in the world. Words cannot express how thrilled I am for them.”

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has been involved in getting recognition for the team and helped organise the plaque.

Pro-Chancellor David Taylor said: “The Dick, Kerr Ladies all came from very traditional working class backgrounds and became the most successful women’s football team in history.”

Formed at the munitions factory during the First World War, the Dick, Kerr Ladies played their first game at Preston North End’s Deepdale ground on Christmas Day 1917

A crowd of 10,000 spectators came to watch them notch up the first of many famous victories and £600 was raised for wounded soldiers. That sum today would be worth more than £38,000.

The team soon became established as the best in the country and played in front of their biggest crowd in 1920 when 53,000 spectators came to Everton’s Goodison Park to see them play St Helens.

Such was the popularity of the game that between 10,000-14,000 people were locked out unable to gain admission to the match.

Rachel Brown-Finnis, who made 82 appearances for the England women’s team between 1997 and 2013, praised the women of Dick, Kerrs.

She said: “I think it is important that girls who play the game understand where it all started.

“These women were a shining light and even now we are aspiring to be like them.

“We wouldn’t be where we are and I wouldn’t have reached the heights in my career without Dick, Kerr Ladies.” As part of the 100th anniversary year, UCLan has hosted a conference to highlight discrimination against women in sport and its Law School, along with Gail, has created a museum display documenting the history of the team that will be exhibited across Lancashire in schools and public places. A centenary dinner is also planned.

Latest news

1

Inspired plc acquired by HGGC Inspired logo

Inspired plc acquired by HGGC

19 Aug 2025

2

Lancashire uniform provider acquired in £12.5m deal Trutex images

Lancashire uniform provider acquired in £12.5m deal

19 Aug 2025

3

Burnley aircraft firm sees profits soar Safran Nacelles

Burnley aircraft firm sees profits soar

19 Aug 2025

4

Lancashire marina bought by Aquavista Fettlers Wharf Marina

Lancashire marina bought by Aquavista

18 Aug 2025

5

Work starts on new business units at Enterprise Zone Danny Pinkus Cllr Mark Smith and Robert Pinkus at Phase Two Of Enterprise Court

Work starts on new business units at Enterprise Zone

15 Aug 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
Linkedin Cover.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
03 Sep 2025 - 03 Sep 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Harewood House , Leeds, LS17 9LG

09:30 - 16:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!
Preston Tech Connection Sept 25.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Sep 2025 - 16 Sep 2025

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:00

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin