For anyone truly interested in the history of the women’s participation in ‘the beautiful game’ of Association Football, this book is a MUST READ. How books help you imagine a limitless future: Dapo Adeola on representation, reading and his favourite picture books Detailed look at the development and history of the Women's game and I found it very interesting with modern players discussing their experiences with FA and the gradual professionalism from part time. NetGalley, Stephen Hutchison

Beginning with the early success of games played in the late 19th century, through the doldrums of the post WWI period, to the rising popularity and profile of the modern day game, this is a pretty comprehensive history of women's football in England. Other nations, including Wales and Scotland, feature mostly to the extent to which they interacted with English teams of each period. I went into this having just watched a BBC series on football, men’s and women’s, which I found very revealing and informative. So having watched this I thought I would probably be well up on what would be found in this book, but far from it, this book was very informed, detailed and a very good read. As a football fan, I was staggered by how much I didn’t know and how if football had been better supported at the beginning of the century there is a good chance women’s football would be on a par with the men’s game now... this was a very interesting read and I would happily recommend this book to fellow football fans. I was also glad that the book while dealing with 19th century football didn't focus overly on England, although I did feel the book latterly slipped into that. Despite that, I enjoyed reading the experiences of the women during the more 'modern' era, as I hadn't realised just how young a lot of girls were when they made the steps into football. Even then I'm not sure 'enjoyed' is the most appropriate word - the discrimination faced by the likes of Pat Dunn was awful to read! I will 100% admit I’m not a big football fan, but women’s history I love and knowing bits of the history of the sport for women being barred etc I was eager to know more. I thought this was really well presented, I found it so interesting and despite not really liking football it didn’t lose my interest for one moment. Really impressive read, that I highly recommend to everyone. NetGalley, Tara Keating

The extraordinary true story of my family’s escape from Nazi Germany that haunts my debut children’s book There is something incredibly special about a polar bear": The Last Bear author Hannah Gold on the incredible beasts that inspired her book oday, the Women's game is now going from strength to strength. Women can now be paid to play for their teams and can represent their teams at the highest level. However, it has still faced battles along the way. Female players are still fighting for equal pay and recognition.

However, it's vital that these historical points are not forgotten. We must remember and discuss the challenges that women have faced throughout the years and continue to push for equality and fairness in today's sporting world. He lights up the world with his words and his love': Top authors and illustrators on John Agard's Lifetime Achievement Award winWhat fascinated me the most in this book were the similarities between men and women's football with regards to the fostering of community spirit, along with the changing transport infrastructure which let more people enjoy the spectacles of matches and gave players the chances to see new locations. A useful and informative book for anyone studying the rise of women's football in the UK. It contains a wide overview of the development of the women's game at a club, regional and national level. Useful for BTEC or A-Level PE/Sports studies students and anyone with an interest in women's football or sports of the period. NetGalley, Andrea Grist A great example of this is England's Lionesses. They have qualified for the FIFA world cup four times, reached the quarter final three times and finished 3rd in 2015 The History of Women's Football by unarguably this half of the game's pre-eminent historian, Jean Williams. With England as hosts and pre-tournament favourites Euro 2022 could be just the spur for an avalanche of new writing on the women's game. Yes please. When shared with young football fans, the history of the women's game often starts interesting discussions and create awareness about the prejudices and inequality that women have faced in sport and help us to appreciate the stronger position we are in now.