With the latest edition of Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History now at the designer, it feels like the perfect moment to reflect on an 11-year project into the history of women’s football in Greater Manchester.
When I began this project in 2015, there was no comprehensive, documented history of Manchester City’s early women’s team, nor of the pioneering Manchester Corinthians—two important teams that won leagues and competitions long before the establishment of the WSL. For years, many of the women who played for these teams felt excluded. Every time historians or the media repeated inaccurate assumptions, it felt as though those who played their part in building the foundations of the game were being deliberately erased from memory.
Over the past decade, this project has worked to change that by capturing the vital stories of players from the Corinthians, Nomads, All Stars, Dynamos, City, United, and beyond. The scale of this research includes:
• Over 50 personal interviews with Manchester Corinthians players alone.
• Approximately 90 interviews and chats with female players, spanning from the 1940s to recent icons like Jill Scott.
• Uncovering multiple founding Corinthians from the original 1948 squad.
• Unearthing a vibrant 1950s community of women’s football clubs spanning the north, south, west and east of the conurbation (complemented by Steve Bolton’s valuable research into Manchester Ladies).
I am incredibly proud that this research has brought these narratives into the public consciousness. The history of women’s football in Manchester is vastly better known today than it was eleven years ago.
However, there is still work to be done. Despite a decade of progress, historical misconceptions and origin myths continue to be repeated. As a passionate advocate for the Corinthians and their sister clubs, my goal is always to protect their legacy by focusing strictly on facts.
The biggest misconception is the claim that no other women’s teams existed in Manchester when the Corinthians were established. The facts tell a different story: the Corinthians were not the first post-WWII women’s team in the city, nor were they the only local side to tour abroad in the 1950s. Similarly, the role of these clubs in challenging the FA ban and establishing international, national, and regional competitions is still too often overlooked in mainstream spaces.
Correcting these narratives remains a priority through my ongoing books, talks, and lectures. Recently, this has continued down exciting avenues, including filming with UEFA, discussing theatrical projects for the stage, and holding serious developmental conversations with Manchester’s leading men’s clubs.
Looking back on the last eleven years, the journey has been profoundly rewarding. From creating the Corinthians’ blue plaque appeal and organising player reunions, to preserving the heritage of the early City Ladies, it has been an honour. Most of all, it has been a distinct pleasure to meet and engage with pioneering women across Europe, North America, and Australia who proudly played football in Manchester.
We have come a long way, but the storytelling continues. Watch this space!
