The Legends Before the Lionesses

Almost a century to the day after England fielded its first official men's national football team, versus Scotland in November 1872, England women played at Ravenscraig stadium against a women's team unratified by the Scots FA. Why did it take 100 years for official women's national sides to appear in football? This book examines how the legends who pioneered women's internationals from 1972 onwards inspired successive generations until a glorious July day in 2022 when England women won the Euros before a capacity Wembley crowd and a proud nation. Reaching the finals of the Women's World Cup in Australia in 2023, England played in one of the most globally mediated sporting events that year. As the Lionesses prepare to defend their Euros crown in 2025, this fascinating book details for the first time how England women have become not only the pride of a nation but agents of social change, as well as ambassadors for fashion and lifestyle brands. One of the trendiest squads in the world are changing how football for women and girls is viewed, but also using their individual platforms for wider social good.