On 23 March 1895, the first ever women’s club football match took place within the shadow of the Palace. It was run by the British Ladies Football Club and saw ‘the north’ team beating ‘the south’ 7-1. Over 11,000 people are reported to have attended.
To celebrate this landmark moment, on Sunday 26 March Alexandra Park Women’s Football Team will be hosting a re-enactment match that will celebrate women’s football across the ages.
The game is the brainchild of Crouch End resident, Jacquie Head, who explains more…
I have always loved football, but never had the chance to play growing up. When I was younger there was still the attitude that ‘women didn’t play football’. I’m pleased that is changing, hopefully for good now. That is down to all those who have pioneered the women’s game, from 1895 all the way to the present day.
I have lived in Crouch End for 30 years, but it was only when the Lionesses won the Euros last year that I heard about the 1895 match. To discover that this happened in my neighbourhood, but that so few people know about it, is amazing.
I put out the idea of re-enacting the game and got a slightly bigger response than I expected! It is great to join forces with Alexandra Park Women’s Team, who have such passion for the game. The match will kick off at 2pm on the 26th and we will have a junior tournament with local primary schools beforehand. There will also be historical display in the clubhouse and a BBQ for all. It’s the more the merrier – come out and have a good time, celebrate a globally important moment, plus local history and the excellent players.
We are planning to get each of the players in a costume, thanks to a group of good friends who are producing them. There will be three matches covering different eras: the 1895 game; a tribute to the 1914 team called the Dick, Kerr Ladies, who were unbelievable, travelling all over the world to play matches; then we will finish it off with the modern-day kits.
There is still an element of mystery around the precise location of the 1895 game. We know there was a huge crowd and, thanks to drawings from the time, that Alexandra Palace was looming closely in the background, but whether it was on the exact locations of today’s pitches, in the Park or just over the road is something historians continue to debate.
Nettie Honeyball was the founder of the British Ladies Football Club and is a true inspiration. She lived on the same road as I do now, so her life story really caught my imagination. It has been incredible to explore the personal and local stories behind this first game. To understand the context in which it took place and how it links to the game and society now, is fascinating.
I didn’t always realise that the FA banned women using men’s football facilities for 50 years between 1921-71. It seems crazy now. But I’m delighted that the women’s game is so popular and really going from strength to strength.
For full information about the match on Sunday 26 March visit the event page.
