17th Apr 2024
Portsmouth Ladies FC photograph
During the tumultuous years of the First World War, women’s football in the United Kingdom experienced a remarkable surge in popularity and participation, marking a significant…
Collection
17th Apr 2024
Early women’s football kit, 19th century
The involvement of women in football dates to the late 19th century, with significant milestones marking their journey into the sport. One notable example is the…
11th Apr 2024
The Laws of the Game, 1863
Prior to 1863, football developed organically in different parts of England and Scotland, with no one unified way to play. Various sets of rules (though lost)…
11th Apr 2024
The world’s first international football shirt
This heavy wool shirt was worn during the world’s first official international football match in 1872. Prior to this year, representative fixtures between English and Scottish…
11th Apr 2024
The oldest surviving FA Cup trophy
The original Martin, Hall & Co FA Cup trophy was presented to Alcock in 1872, but by the turn of the 20th century, the silverware was…
11th Apr 2024
The Lily Parr statue
A prolific attacker renowned for her powerful shooting ability, Lily Parr is considered one of the greatest players of her generation. Her exploits have captured the…
11th Apr 2024
The FA minute book, 1921
The first manuscript in our Starting Eleven concerns the creation of the game: this document encouraged its suppression, specifically with regards to women’s football. As a…
11th Apr 2024
The Jules Rimet Trophy replica
How often does a replica have a more interesting story than the real thing? Ahead of the 1966 World Cup in England, the Jules Rimet Trophy…
11th Apr 2024
Sheila Parker’s cap, 1972
This is one of the first caps given to the official England Women side, awarded to the team’s first ever official captain, Sheila Parker. These caps…
11th Apr 2024
The oldest surviving Women’s FA Cup
The original men’s FA Cup is no longer with us – and the same can be said of the first Women’s FA Cup trophy, though its…
11th Apr 2024
Justin Fashanu’s England under-21 shirt
Justin Fashanu was the first professional footballer in England to come out as gay. Coming through at Norwich City’s academy, he first signed professional terms in…
11th Apr 2024
Marcus Rashford bedsheet banner
Sometimes the simple football banners are the best. With football in lockdown in the spring of 2020, this homemade flag appeared on a street rather than…