Proud of the Lionesses

What an exciting World Cup Final, decided by a single spectacular goal from Spain, who were a slightly better team on the day. England hit the post and saved a Spanish penalty and both teams had shots saved. Spain had rebuilt their team recently with a lot of young players coming out of huge investment in their youth teams. England showed huge resilience throughout. It’s worth remembering than since their Euros win on 31st July 2022, two players retired, the captain and top goal scorer and another key player are out injured, I think two others had knee surgery but recovered, one player was injured early in the World Cup and 1 was sent off and banned for 2 games (quite rightly) - they still found a way through to the final by being a strong team led by a brilliant coach. I think the World Cup has been amazing. 

It’s incredible to think that women’s football in England, which had been more popular than men’s football after WWI, was banned by the FA from using league pitches and facilities in Dec 1921, with part of the resolution saying:
 “Complaints having been made as to football being played by women. Council feel impelled to express their strong opinion that the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and should not be encouraged.” 
Unbelievably this ban wasn’t lifted until 1971, causing catastrophic damage to the sport. England did not have a fully professional football league until 2018. Even for the World Cup, Nike who are the manufacturer of the England kit, refused to make and sell replicas of Mary Earps’ goalkeeper shirt (she went on to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup Golden Glove).  Also the FA did not agree tournament bonuses and commercial structures ahead of the World Cup. There’s huge talent out there in the women’s game, if only discrimination stopped getting in the way of it becoming as successful a sport as men’s football. Well done Lionesses!