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

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering confirms sale to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms sale to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrates 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrates 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 Jul 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
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

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

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers
Champagne-Jewellery 10 07 25_page-0001.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers

Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

18:00 - 20:30

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast
talentreimaginedbb.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR71PS

08:00 - 10:30

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

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 LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin