In A League Of Their Own! - Gail Newsham J

In a League Their Own! is the true story of the Dick, Kerr Ladies FC. Formed at a munitions factory in Preston, their unique history lay buried for far too long as they became football's best kept secret. They set the football world alight during the First World War and went on to become the best in the world. On Boxing Day 1920, 53,000 spectators packed Goodison Park, Everton to watch them play, and by 1921 their popularity was at its height. However, the FA saw things in a very different light and changed the course of the women's game forever. On 5 December 1921, they banned women from playing on League grounds, and the ban remained in force for almost fifty years. Against all the odds, the Dick, Kerr Ladies continued playing until 1965 and raised in excess of £10 million for charity. This 2021 edition reveals yet more amazing stories of these incredible women, and documents an accurate playing history from 1917-1965.

My grandmother Alice Kell, never really spoke about her time playing football, other than to blame her severe arthritis on it. I always knew she had been captain of a women's football team in her youth, but never realised just what an enormous contribution she had made to the history of the Dick, Kerr Ladies. It wasn't until I returned to Preston and read Gail's book that I learned just what an amazing group of women they were. I am immensely proud of my grandmother and everything she achieved. Val Conn

My family and I are delighted that my cousin, Lily Parr, has been acknowledged and portrayed with such accuracy in this book. Thanks to the dedicated and thorough research undertaken by Gail, we feel that people can now get to know the real Lily who was always a very special part of our lives. June Patten 

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Gail Newsham's book about the Dick, Kerr Ladies. The late Florrie Redford, was my auntie and how proud she would have been to know that the team would be part of the history of Preston. Mrs J Shaw, Blackpool