A brief history of the regulation of women’s football in the UK. 

“…We want the public to observe our mastery of the game, not to come see us on account of the novelty… my firm opinion is that women can, if they are robust and strong enough physically, acquire a fair proficiency in Association.” — Helen Graham Matthews, The Sketch, 1895 

When the original rules of Association football were set down in 1868 by the Football Association (FA), there was no mention of women players, but before they were banned from playing on FA club pitches in 1922 women played the sport all over the UK. Though there were sometimes variations in the size of the ball and the length of the match, in general women played according to the same rules as the men, and the standardization of these rules in 1868 initially benefited the women’s game, which was promoted by the British Ladies’ Football Club in 1895. Following an introduction by founding member of the Women’s Football Association and legendary White Ribbon player Patricia Gregory, this book includes the original fourteen rules of Association football and traces the extraordinary history of the regulation of the women’s game thereafter. It reveals an inspirational story of determination, bravery, and indomitable spirit both on and off the pitch.