In March 1895, the first ever public British Women’s football club game was played at the base of Alexandra Palace.

Almost exactly 128 years after that historic moment, on Sunday 26 March 2023 Alexandra Park Women’s Football Club staged a re-enactment, with a series of games played in Ally Pally Park.

With a crowd of over 300 people looking on, the day took a theatrical tour through the history of women’s football. In total, 66 different costumes were worn by the local teams taking part across the afternoon. The 1895 re-enactment squads sported bloomers and neckties; the 1920s Dick Kerr Ladies had iconic collared shirts and hats; and we also saw where football is today, with teams wearing their modern Adidas and Nike kits.

In 1895, the Manchester Guardian typified reporting of the time when it predicted: “When the novelty has worn off, I do not think women’s football will attract the crowds”.  Now, over a century later, those words could not be more wrong.

Alexandra Park Women’s Football Club captain, Kate Gerrand, says: “I feel incredibly privileged to be part of a generation that can stand on the shoulders of the people who built women’s football for the last 100 years.

“Sexism and misogyny in women’s football hasn’t gone away, but the women’s Euros win and the support we’ve received in organising this event makes it feel like we’re reaching a turning point. There is lots to be positive about.”

Alexandra Park Women’s Football Club is open to new members of any background, including people new to football.

Photos by Nick Matthews