Introduction
There has never previously been a full history of the official FA England women’s national football team before. This book, combines academically rigorous resources, with innovative oral history techniques. The book details key aspects the careers of around 250 women who have appeared for England since their first game against Scotland in 1972. So, what is the structure?
Book Structure: chapter by chapter
Introduction England Women in a Newly ‘official’ Era, the 1960s
Topics include: before there was an ‘official’ FA England team, who were the pioneers from 1881 to 1960s? How the WFA was formed in 1969, and who were the key personalities? What were the FIFA, UEFA, FA policy changes towards women’s football?
Chapter One The First England Women Captains 1972-1991
Topics include: Sheila Parker first captain 1972; Carol Thomas first woman to 50 caps leading the team to the Portopia tournament in Japan 1981 and coming runner up to Sweden in the first women’s Euros 1982-4; Debbie Bampton takes over for the remainder of the 1980s. Gill Coultard then swaps captaincy with Bampton. The controversy over the television programme, I Lost My Heart to the Belles, means that Coultard gains, then loses, then regains the captaincy. Career overview of each woman and how the number of internationals gradually grows from one game versus Scotland in 1972, to the first Women’s World Cup in China in 1991.
Chapter Two Lionesses: Economics, Marketing and the Women’s International Game 1991-1999
Topics include: Gill Coultard’s captaincy, and her successors Mo Marley, Tara Procter, Kaz Walker and Mary Phillip. The rise of TV interest, and England’s first appearance at the Women’s World Cup in Sweden 1995. Key changes in coaching and management, with Ted Copeland influential in the 1990s as a long-serving coach. The FA take over women’s football from the WFA, which disbands in 1993, and the new economic model under FA control. How Women’s World Cups and, from 1996, an Olympic women’s football tournament in the US, help to provide a platform for new marketing and sponsorship deals for clubs, players, and international women’s teams. The appointment in 1998 of ex-international player Hope Powell who became England’s first black head coach, first openly gay head coach, and first woman head coach. She was also England’s youngest ever head coach.
Chapter Three An Economic Drain, or An Economic Asset? FIFA and the FA’s Equivocation Over Women’s Football
Topics include: England’s problematic journey to the expanded European Championships, under Hope Powell, and, more promisingly qualification for the 2007 World Cup in China. England reach the quarter finals. Under Powell’s leadership, a limited number of central contracts were issued in 2009, changing the old guard. In 2009 England reach the finals of the European championship for the first time in 25 years, and qualify for the 2011 World Championship in Germany. Growing professionalization in England is highlighted by accelerated advances in other women’s national teams. After the highs of Team GB’s women’s performances in London 2012, Powell is fired after a disappointing 2013 European Championship campaign.
Chapter Four The Kelly Smith Effect: globalisation, professionalisation and migration
Topics include: a detailed look at the career of Kelly Smith, and her England team mates, such a Sue Smith, examining who chose to go the US on sports scholarships, and those who did not. The more widespread use of women pundits, officials, and the nodes of migration, to which England players might move. Also looks at the establishment of the Women’s Super League, and the overseas players who have signed to play in English teams.
Chapter Five Eni Aluko, England Centurion, and the Sampson Era 2013-2017
Topics include: An overview of Eni Aluko’s career and life, and her 100th cap for England. Mark Sampson’s career to the date of his England appointment. The Eni Aluko ‘whistleblowing’ case and resulting dismissal of Sampson. The players, like Anita Asante and Lianne Sanderson, who supported Aluko and the effect on their careers. The resulting profile of the England team after Sampson’s dismissal, and the relative ‘whiteness’ of the England women’s team compared with the contemporary men’s national team.
Conclusion Future Challenges
Topics include: the appointment of Phil Neville, the first male professional player to coach the women’s national team, and the growth of the elite support team around him at the FA from 2018, including links with age-group national teams and with Gareth Southgate, England’s men’s national team coach. The professional careers open to captain Steph Houghton, Jill Scott and Nikita Parris. The hosting of the Women’s Euros finals, with previous editions including 1984, and 2005. What will the legacy of this competition be for women’s football nationally? The conclusion also asks questions about the future. Given the FA bitterness over the 2010, 2018 and 2022 men’s World Cup bidding process, will England host a Women’s World Cup in the twenty first century?
Conclusion
If you know any player who has been selected for her country, or you have any memorabilia yourself regarding the England women’s national football team, then please get in touch. Jean will be writing the book over the next few months, so any input is appreciated.
