The history and heritage elements of the cultural programme to be led by jjheritage.com at the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022

• The History and Heritage programme has been funded by The FA, UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 host cities, and The National Lottery #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

• Nine UEFA Women’s EURO host cities will take part during Summer 2022

• Professor Jean Williams is working with host cities to unearth the hidden stories of pioneering women and girl football players, referees, coaches, senior leaders and role models. You can follow Jean @JeanMWilliams

• Jean’s new book A History of Women’s Football (Pen and Sword) summarises what we know so far

The National Lottery Heritage Fund uses money raised by the National Lottery, to Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. You can Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

In 2022, England host the UEFA Women’s EURO, and the England Women’s National Team mark the fiftieth anniversary of their first official match. This took place on 18 November 1972 in Greenock Scotland, with England narrowly defeating Scotland 3-2, and you can read more about that game and our work on the early Lioness Legends here.

In partnership with The FA and led by Rotherham Council and Milton Keynes Council, the National Lottery funded programme aims to challenge the common perception of women’s football being ‘new’. Based on Jean’s ongoing academic and popular research across the host cities, we hope to change perceptions of both what has been called, ‘the English game’ and the ‘People’s Game.’ The project will particularly explore the role of the LGBTQ+ community in developing and leading the women’s game and football culture more broadly. You can read more about our work on Manchester Corinthians, and other teams playing during the fifty year ban on women’s football from 1921 to 1969 here.

Another important first in 2022, will be that information about every England debut; team captain; goal scorer, and match score since 1972 will be researched, recorded and shared alongside the information that already exists about men’s football. That’s a pretty tall order covering fifty years worth of research! After 2022, the record will continue to be updated, ensuring future female players are part of the England football story.

Having researched the history, migration patterns, and movement of women leaders in the football industry for over twenty years Jean is excited to partner with others to uncover items currently residing in lofts, back rooms, scrapbooks and private collections to help these stories reach a wider public. Having been the first academic in the world to receive funding from both FIFA, and UEFA to look at the global status of women’s football, Jean is excited to be working on home soil at the Women’s Euros, having led a number of events back in 2005, when England last hosted. Please get in touch.

The nine UEFA Women’s EURO host cities (Brighton & Hove, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Rotherham, Sheffield, Southampton, Trafford and Wigan & Leigh) will take part in a summer of exhibitions, memory films, oral histories and community activities. In each city the activities will be led by:

• Brighton & Hove – Royal Pavilion and Museums Trust

• London – London Boroughs of Brent and Hounslow, Gunnersbury Park Museum, Wembley Park, and the GLA

• Manchester – National Football Museum

• Milton Keynes – Milton Keynes Council

• Rotherham – Rotherham Council

• Sheffield – Sheffield City Council

• Southampton – Southampton City Council

• Trafford – Trafford Council

• Wigan & Leigh – Wigan Council

Professor Jean Williams, who will be leading the historical research to support the programme, said: ‘Please do get in touch of you have memorabilia or stories!

Eilish McGuinness, CEO of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, the hidden history and unheard voices of women’s football will be shared for the first time, capturing the full story of the beloved sport. We’re delighted to support this project which will give fans and players the chance to celebrate the history of women’s football and communities to discover their connections to the game.”