When Football Banned Women

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During and just after World War One footballers were women, many of whom played for teams made up of factory workers supporting the war effort.

During and just after World War One, as today, the top footballers mingled with film stars and drew vast crowds to matches, and their every move filled newspapers. These footballers were women, many of whom played for teams made up of factory workers supporting the war effort.

To tie in with the Women’s European Championships starting this week, a justifiably outraged Clare Balding investigates why, in 1921, the Football Association banned the women’s game at the height of its popularity, and looks at the impact of the 50-year ban by talking to today’s female players.

An eye-opening watch, even for non-football fans, about a little-known side of soccer history.