FA Apology Guide: Historic Women's Football Ban Explained

The English Football Association (FA) has issued a historic apology for its 50-year ban on women's football that lasted from 1921 to 1971, marking a watershed moment in sports history. This groundbreaking apology comes in response to a documentary about the Manchester Corinthians women's team, who defied the prohibition and became pioneers of the women's game during a period when the FA declared football 'quite unsuitable for females.' The apology represents a significant step toward acknowledging decades of institutional discrimination against women in football.

What is the FA Women's Football Ban?

The FA women's football ban was a 50-year prohibition implemented by the English Football Association on December 5, 1921, that prevented women from playing football on FA-affiliated grounds. The resolution stated that 'the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged.' This decision came just one year after the record-breaking Dick, Kerr Ladies match at Goodison Park attracted 53,000 spectators and raised significant funds for charity. The ban effectively crippled women's football development in England for half a century, forcing generations of female players to become pioneers in rebuilding the sport.

Historical Context of the 1921 Ban

Women's football experienced a golden age during World War I when women filled industrial roles and organized charity matches to support war efforts. Teams like the famous Dick, Kerr Ladies from Preston drew massive crowds, with their 1920 Boxing Day match raising over £3,000 for charity (equivalent to £140,000 today). However, the post-war period saw a backlash against women's gains, including the Restoration of Pre-War Practices Act 1919 that pushed women out of industrial jobs. The FA's 1921 ban reflected this broader societal regression, with historians suggesting the real motivation was jealousy over the women's game's popularity and its fundraising for working-class causes outside FA control.

The Manchester Corinthians: Defying the Ban

Despite the FA prohibition, the Manchester Corinthians women's football team was formed in 1949 by Percy Ashley so his deaf daughter Doris could play. Operating from Fog Lane Park in Didsbury with minimal facilities, the team became globe-trotting rebels who achieved remarkable success. They won unofficial European Cups in 1957 and 1970, toured South America in 1960, defeated Juventus in 1970, and played in major stadiums like Sporting Lisbon's Alvalade Stadium before 45,000 spectators. The women's sports discrimination they faced was profound, yet they laid the foundation for modern women's football.

Why the FA Issued Its 2026 Apology

The FA's historic apology in 2026 was prompted by the documentary 'The Corinthians: We Were The Champions' by filmmaker Helen Tither, which features interviews with ten surviving players aged 70-90. In their statement, the FA wrote: 'We are sorry that a ban on women's football was introduced in 1921 and that it took until 1971 to lift it. We recognize now the courage of teams and individuals who continued to play during this period.' The apology specifically acknowledges the Manchester Corinthians as 'pioneers of women's football' who 'blazed a trail' for the sport globally.

Surviving Players' Reactions

Eighty-year-old Monica Curran, who features in the documentary, expressed the significance of the apology: 'It lies in the past, but is still important. You have to face it when something wrong has been done - you can't just erase history.' Another player, Anne Grimes, recalled the stark contrast between their humble training ground and international stadiums: 'My best memory is coming out of the tunnel at Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon. We were used to a handful of people in the park, and here there were 45,000.' These women played on 'billiard table' pitches in Italy while training on muddy park fields in Manchester.

Impact and Legacy of the 50-Year Ban

The FA's 50-year ban had devastating consequences for women's football development in England and globally. Key impacts include:

Lost Generations: Multiple generations of female football talent were denied opportunities to develop professionally
International Lag: England fell behind other nations in women's football development, affecting international competitiveness
Infrastructure Deficit: The ban prevented investment in women's football facilities and coaching structures
Cultural Stigma: The FA's declaration that football was 'unsuitable for females' created lasting cultural barriers

The gender equality in sports movement has gained momentum in recent decades, with the current success of England's Lionesses and record attendance at women's matches highlighting how far the sport has come since the ban was lifted in 1971.

Current State of Women's Football in England

Today, women's football in England has experienced unprecedented growth, with the Women's Super League attracting record crowds and significant media coverage. The success of the England women's national team, including their Euro 2022 victory, demonstrates the remarkable progress made since the ban's lifting. However, challenges remain in achieving true equality, including pay disparities, media coverage imbalances, and access to facilities. The FA continues to invest in women's and girls' football through initiatives like the Football Association development programs, but the historical ban's legacy continues to influence the sport's development trajectory.

FAQs: FA Women's Football Ban Apology

When was the FA women's football ban implemented?

The FA implemented the women's football ban on December 5, 1921, prohibiting women from playing on FA-affiliated grounds.

How long did the FA ban on women's football last?

The ban lasted 50 years, from 1921 until it was finally lifted in 1971.

Why did the FA ban women's football?

The FA claimed football was 'quite unsuitable for females,' but historians suggest the real reasons included jealousy over the women's game's popularity and control over charitable fundraising.

What prompted the FA's 2026 apology?

The apology was prompted by the documentary 'The Corinthians: We Were The Champions' about the Manchester Corinthians women's team who defied the ban.

How has women's football recovered since the ban?

Women's football has experienced remarkable growth since the 1970s, with professional leagues, record attendance, and England's national team success, though challenges remain in achieving full equality.

Sources

The Guardian: How the FA banned women's football in 1921
BBC: FA apology to Manchester Corinthians
Manchester Evening News: FA apology coverage
Observer: The Corinthians story