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Some ideas change the course of history. Even simple gestures can alter the path of society and its established norms for the better. In 1894, a young woman using the pseudonym Nettie J. Honeyball placed an advertisement in The Daily Graphic calling for women who wanted to play football — and do so within a club. Young Nettie could never have imagined what would follow. Thirty women answered that advert. At a time when football was played exclusively by men, Honeyball's idea aimed to elevate the role of women in football to something beyond mere social ritual.
Nettie's path began to take shape. She was a woman of strong convictions and it didn't take long for her to approach John William Julian — the first player to have turned out for both Arsenal and Tottenham — to persuade him to become the team's coach. He accepted with pleasure. He became the manager, and twice a week the team gathered in a park to train. With the coaching appointment made, the remaining task was to build the leadership structure for the club that was about to be created. A chairman was needed — in this case, a chairwoman.
The role fell to Lady Florence Dixie, a journalist deeply committed to feminism who always fought for the spirit of the game with heart and soul. What became the club's motto was the first condition she imposed when she took on the role. One of her core ideals and ambitions was to make women's football truly popular.
The club played its first match on 23rd March 1895 in London, specifically in Crouch End. The two sides faced each other representing the north and south of the city — there were no opponents, so the team simply divided itself. The blue team captained by Nettie won 7–1.
While the reception from the FA was positive, society's response was rather slower in coming. Spectators commented on everything from the kit to what they described as the players' "lack of skill". Despite the poorly grounded criticism, 10,000 people attended the match. As for the press — barely a word of praise; their reports were almost exclusively destructive, with some outlets even hoping it would be British Ladies FC's last ever game. The rampant sexism in the press did nothing to dampen the club's ambitions, and they went on to complete a tour of England, several matches raising funds for charity. When the tour ended the players returned to their lives — not before witnessing the FA, in a deeply shameful act, ban women's football.
Fortunately, even though there is still a long road ahead, women's football is now part of our lives and we can enjoy the talent of athletes who bring joy to the entire sporting world with their passion, quality and greatness. Thank you to all of them for elevating the game every single day and for contributing to a more equal world.
