Not many people know that women's football was big in the 1920's. Bath City Ladies played their first match at Maesteg Rugby Club in 1920. They were one of a number of women's teams who played to raise money for charity during the first world war. The early teams such as Dick Kerrs' Ladies were based around the munitions factories, and at a time when women did not even have the vote, generated much interest. In 1921, Bath City Ladies played infront of 31,000 spectators at Old Trafford. The F.A. growing increasingly concerned, not least by its popularity, banned women's football from being played on league grounds in December 1921, a ban which was to last 50 years. Under pressure from UEFA the ban was eventually lifted in 1972.

Despite having to catch up with other countries, women's football is rapidly developing within the UK with the establishment of junior leagues and Centres of Excellence. There is a national and regional league structure and an equivalent FA Cup. Infact Arsenal Ladies also achieved the double this season!

It is estimated that up to 45,000 women play football in this country. The figure for the USA is 3-4 million registered players!

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