Fa ban on women's football

The historical context of the fa ban on women's football

Prior to the official prohibition, women's football in England enjoyed immense popularity, particularly during and immediately after World War I. With many men away fighting, women stepped into various industrial roles, and football became a vital source of entertainment and community spirit. Teams formed in factories and workplaces, drawing enormous crowds.

One of the most famous examples is Dick, Kerr's Ladies FC, a team from Preston that captivated the nation. On Boxing Day 1920, they played against St. Helen's Ladies at Goodison Park, attracting an astonishing crowd of 53,000 spectators, with thousands more locked outside. This era was a golden age for women's football, demonstrating its potential and public appeal. However, this success was viewed with suspicion and alarm by the male-dominated FA.

On December 5, 1921, the FA delivered a crushing blow: it issued a directive banning women's teams from playing on FA-affiliated grounds. This effectively meant that women's football was outlawed from the mainstream infrastructure, severing its access to proper pitches, referees, and the support network provided by the FA. The declaration stated that "the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged." This marked the beginning of the devastating fa ban on women's football.

Underlying reasons behind the prohibition of women's football

The stated reason for the fa ban on women's football was a supposed concern for women's health. The FA claimed, without robust medical evidence, that football was "injurious" to the female body. This justification, however, is widely regarded as a thinly veiled excuse to control and suppress women's burgeoning participation in sport. Several deeper motivations likely underpinned the decision:

• Medical Misogyny: The prevailing patriarchal attitudes of the era often used pseudoscientific arguments to keep women in traditional roles, asserting that strenuous physical activity would harm their reproductive health or femininity.
• Commercial Threat: Women's matches were drawing massive crowds and raising significant sums for charity, sometimes outperforming men's games in attendance. This success represented a commercial challenge to the FA's monopoly and control over the sport's finances and popular appeal. They were concerned about the integrity of the game and where the money was going, despite the charitable causes.
• Social Control: Women playing a traditionally male sport, often in front of large crowds, challenged established gender norms. The sight of women playing competitive football was seen by some as unfeminine or even scandalous, an affront to societal expectations of female behaviour.
• Loss of Control: The women's game was largely self-organised and independent, operating outside the direct control of the FA. This autonomy likely threatened the FA's desire for singular authority over all football activities in England.

These combined factors led to the implementation of the fa ban on women's football, which would have far-reaching negative consequences for the sport.

The impact and resilience during the fa ban on women's football

The fa ban on women's football did not extinguish the desire of women to play, but it forced the sport underground and severely hampered its development. For five decades, women's football was effectively sidelined from official recognition and resources.

• Forced Underground: Teams continued to play on non-affiliated grounds, in parks, or even abroad where the ban didn't apply. They organized their own leagues and tournaments, often with limited facilities and less publicity. The English Ladies Football Association (ELFA) was formed shortly after the ban, creating an alternative structure, but it lacked the FA's resources and recognition.
• Loss of Talent: A generation of talented female footballers was denied the opportunity to develop their skills, compete at a high level, and gain professional recognition. This stunted the growth of tactical sophistication and coaching expertise within the women's game.
• Reduced Visibility: Without access to major stadiums and media coverage, women's football faded from public consciousness. This made it difficult to attract new players, fans, and crucial funding, creating a vicious cycle of underdevelopment.
• Enduring Spirit: Despite these immense challenges, the passion for the game endured. Players like Lily Parr, a legendary goal scorer for Dick, Kerr's Ladies, continued to play for many years after the ban, demonstrating the unwavering commitment of these pioneers. Their resilience kept the flame of women's football alive, even in the darkest times of the fa ban on women's football.

The perseverance of these women laid the groundwork for the sport's eventual return, even as they faced systemic obstacles.

The lifting of the ban and its immediate aftermath

The fa ban on women's football finally came to an end on July 1, 1971, exactly 50 years after its imposition. This decision was driven by changing societal attitudes, increased calls for gender equality, and crucially, the formation of the Women's Football Association (WFA) in 1969. The WFA actively lobbied the FA and organized women's football independently, proving its viability and demand.

However, the lifting of the ban did not immediately usher in an era of equal support or rapid growth. The FA's initial involvement was minimal, essentially allowing women to play again but offering little in the way of structured support or funding. The task of rebuilding the sport from scratch fell largely to the WFA.

• Slow Integration: It took time for women's football to be properly integrated into the FA's structures. The first FA-approved Women's Cup final was organized by the WFA in 1971, showcasing the immediate impact of the ban's removal, but the wider infrastructure was still severely lacking.
• Resource Deficit: The sport faced a significant deficit in resources - a lack of qualified coaches, referees, established league systems, and dedicated facilities. This meant that while the legal barrier was gone, the practical challenges of developing a professional sport remained immense.
• International Disadvantage: The 50-year fa ban on women's football had left England significantly behind other nations where women's football had been allowed to flourish or had faced less severe restrictions. Countries like Denmark, Sweden, and parts of the United States had a head start in developing their leagues and national teams.

The period immediately following the lifting of the fa ban on women's football was one of cautious optimism, but also of immense effort required to overcome decades of neglect.

The enduring legacy and modern revival of women's football

The fa ban on women's football left an indelible mark on the sport, and its legacy continues to influence the landscape of women's football today. Even with the incredible growth and success seen in recent years, many current challenges can be traced back to this prolonged period of neglect.

• Persistent Disparities: While progress has been immense, disparities in funding, media coverage, facilities, and prize money between men's and women's football often highlight the long-term effects of the ban. The women's game had to catch up from a significantly disadvantaged position.
• The Lionesses' Success: The phenomenal triumph of the England women's national team, the Lionesses, winning the UEFA Women's Euro 2022, was a watershed moment. It brought unprecedented attention and investment to the sport, demonstrating its massive potential when given proper support. This victory was not just a sporting achievement but a cultural milestone, proving that the sport could reclaim its earlier popularity.
• Professionalisation and Growth: The Women's Super League (WSL) in England has become one of the premier women's football leagues globally, attracting top international talent and boasting increasing attendances and broadcast deals. This professionalisation is a direct result of sustained efforts to rebuild the sport since the fa ban on women's football was lifted.
• Historical Recognition: There is a growing recognition and celebration of the pioneers who kept women's football alive during the ban. Their stories are vital in understanding the sport's resilient history and honoring those who fought for its right to exist. The FA itself has acknowledged its historical error and now actively champions the women's game.

The story of the fa ban on women's football is a powerful reminder of how systemic barriers can hinder progress, but also of the incredible determination and passion that can ultimately overcome them, leading to a vibrant and successful future for the sport.