Her Story: Sylvia Gore and the rebirth of Women's Football

While the popularity of women’s football in England has drastically increased since the Lionesses historic back to back EURO wins, women’s football isn’t a new story.

Women’s football has deeply rooted foundations, with the first ever official womens match in Engalnd being recorded in 1881.

The progression of the sport didn’t end there as just 39 years later, Dick Kerr Ladies attracted a crowd of 53,000 fans to Goodison Park, a stadium which, in modern day women’s football, is making further history for the game.

However, the FA saw the rise of the sport as a threat to the men’s professional leagues which, at the time, were struggling due to the war.

In 1921, women’s football was officially banned.

After years of resilience, the ban was officially lifted in 1971 after 50 years; this marked the start of a new journey for women’s football.

Just a year later, in 1972, the first official England women’s football match was played against Scotland

Who is Sylvia Gore?

Born in Prescot, in 1944, Sylvia Gore was surround by football from a young age due to her Father and Uncle playing for their local team, Prescot Cables FC.

Gore grew up, in the period of time, when women’s football was banned from being played of Football Association (FA) pitches in England.

Despite Gore being encouraged to participate in the game by her family, Gore was prevented from joining the boy’s team, forcing her to look elsewhere to play.

At age 12, Gore joined Manchester Corinthians with her later going on to join the Fodens.

Gore was part of the Fodens team who won the 1974 Women’s FA Cup, in a shocking win over Southampton.

Despite being nicknamed the ‘Dennis Law’ of women’s football due to her 134 goals in one season, Gore is most notable due to her international success.

Gore created history in 1972 when she scored the first goal, of a 3-2 win, for the first official England international women’s match, following the lifting of the ban.

Having previously spent £2,000 just to get through national trials and having scored the comeback goal on a frozen pitch when already 2-0 down against Scotland, Gore quickly cemented her name in English Football History.

Gore Beyond the Pitch:

Gore went on manage the Wales International women’s team and acted as secretary to Liverpool Ladies after retiring at 36.

Furthermore, following Gore’s participation as a member of the FA Women’s Committee and years volunteering for the Liverpool FA, she was awarded an MBE for her services to girls and women’s association football.

Sadly, in 2016, Sylvia Gore passed away.

Despite Gore not being with us today, it is crucial her story is recognised and remembered for the path she paved.

Without past players and women like Gore, women’s football in England would not be in the position it is today.

We hope that Gore’s story lives on and continues to inspire girls across the country.