Next Wednesday (5 March) I’ll be doing a talk at Manchester Central Library as part of the events leading up to International Women’s Day. The talk is on the Manchester Corinthians women’s football team that toured the globe between 1948 and 1992 and is based on a decade of research into the team. It’s free to attend but tickets should be booked in advance here:
The talk takes place between 5.30pm and 7pm at Manchester Central Library and will focus on the history of the club, based on the 50+ interviews I have performed with former players, coaches and their families. I’ll also have copies of Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History available at the discounted price of £20 (normally £25) for those who wish to buy the book that evening.
Why not come along and learn all about these remarkable women. In advance why not watch this 18 minute documentary put together by Imprint Films on the Corinthians? It includes brief interviews with a small group of the women I interviewed, plus I help to explain why they are so significant. The free Library talk will of course go into much more detail (as does the book):
If you can’t make it to the talk then watch out for others. You can also find out about the book here:
On Thursday (27 February) evening I’ll be talking at the West Yorkshire branch of the Manchester City Supporters Club (8pm; Morley Cricket Club, Scatcherd Lane Morley, Leeds LS27 0JJ) about the Manchester Corinthians women’s team and, of course, I’ll also discuss Manchester City’s history too. I’ll have copies of the Manchester Corinthians book with me, as well as copies of my Peter Barnes biography if anybody wants one.
You can find out more on the Corinthians book here:
I’m delighted to say that on Wednesday 5 March I’ll be doing a talk/event at Manchester Central Library. It’s free to attend but, the library would like to encourage attendees to book in advance. See the following for details:
Oh and if you need an added incentive… Copies of Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History will be available on the day at a discounted price of £20 (RRP £25).
You can find out more on the Corinthians’ book here:
I’d also encourage people to watch this film to get a feel for the story too. It’s been put together by Imprint Films (Luke, John – Dennis Tueart’s son – and their team put together a wonderful 18 minute film, treating the Corinthians with respect throughout):
A final reminder that I’m doing a free talk on the Manchester Corinthians at Tameside Local Studies and Archive Centre, Cotton Street East, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7BY at 2pm today (12 February). Anyone can attend but, the Tameside archive centre encourage attendees to book in advance by either emailing archives@tameside.gov.uk or calling 0161 342 4242. If people decide to attend on the day, that is absolutely fine of course.
Here’s the blurb about the event:
The pioneering Manchester Corinthians women’s football team was established during 1948-49. They toured the globe promoting the sport, Manchester and female endeavour at a time when women’s football was banned by the Football Association. Many Corinthians were from Tameside and several still live in the borough today.
Experiencing tours to Portugal, Germany, South America, North Africa, Italy, France and Spain during the 1950s to 1970s, the Corinthians also played a significant role in overturning the FA ban, establishing the Women’s FA and creating regular competition domestically and internationally.
Gary James will be discussing their history, talking of the challenges they faced and the club’s achievements during a 40+ year existence. In 2019 Gary established a campaign to erect permanent tributes to the players and his authorised history of the club was published in January 2025. He has been attending and researching women’s football since the 1980s.
Gary has captured the stories of women who played for the Corinthians throughout its history, including three women in their 90s who were there at the start in 1948-49. A couple of the Corinthians are anticipated to be present at the talk.
Copies of Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History will be available on the day at a discounted price of £20 (RRP £25).
You can find out more on the Corinthians’ book here:
Doing anything next Wednesday (12 February)? I’ll be doing a free talk on the Manchester Corinthians at Tameside Local Studies and Archive Centre, Cotton Street East, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7BY at 2pm. Anyone can attend but, the Tameside archive centre encourage attendees to book in advance by either emailing archives@tameside.gov.uk or calling 0161 342 4242. If people decide to attend on the day, that is absolutely fine of course.
Here’s the blurb about the event:
The pioneering Manchester Corinthians women’s football team was established during 1948-49. They toured the globe promoting the sport, Manchester and female endeavour at a time when women’s football was banned by the Football Association. Many Corinthians were from Tameside and several still live in the borough today.
Experiencing tours to Portugal, Germany, South America, North Africa, Italy, France and Spain during the 1950s to 1970s, the Corinthians also played a significant role in overturning the FA ban, establishing the Women’s FA and creating regular competition domestically and internationally.
Gary James will be discussing their history, talking of the challenges they faced and the club’s achievements during a 40+ year existence. In 2019 Gary established a campaign to erect permanent tributes to the players and his authorised history of the club was published in January 2025. He has been attending and researching women’s football since the 1980s.
Gary has captured the stories of women who played for the Corinthians throughout its history, including three women in their 90s who were there at the start in 1948-49. A couple of the Corinthians are anticipated to be present at the talk.
Copies of Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History will be available on the day at a discounted price of £20 (RRP £25).
You can find out more on the Corinthians’ book here:
Also, doing anything on Wednesday afternoon at 2pm? Why not come to Ashton-under-Lyne and see the talk I’m doing on the history of the club? These are the details:
Tameside History Club Events 2025
Please note that the following talk will take place at Tameside Local Studies & Archive Centre, Cotton St East, Ashton OL6 7BY. To book your free place email archives@tameside.gov.uk or call 0161 342 4242 during our opening hours- Tues, Weds & Thurs 10-5pm & Sat 10-1pm
Wednesday 12th February, 2pm
Manchester Corinthians: A Revolutionary Team Discover the incredible story of the Manchester Corinthians, a pioneering women’s football team, as told through the voices of the players themselves. Dr. Gary James will bring their legacy to life, sharing firsthand accounts of the challenges, triumphs, and impact of this iconic team. Don’t miss this fascinating insight into a trailblazing chapter of football history!
I’ll have copies of the book available on the day. More on the book here:
I’m absolutely delighted to say I’ve received messages from three of the founding/original Manchester Corinthians who were there in 1948 (yes, 1948!) when the club was first established. They’ve each got the book and were interviewed and their comments have really pleased me. They – and the hundreds of women who played for this remarkable, pioneering and important club – are the reason I wanted to push and promote this club’s history.
The three I’ve heard from are Dorothy Allcock, Maureen Charlton and Flo Cloake (the names they played under). When I started researching in detail the club I was told frequently I’d never track down a player from the club’s opening season, so it was wonderful when these three came forward to be interviewed.
Their comments now that they’ve seen the book are deeply satisfying and I am so grateful that they – and the other 50+ Corinthians interviewed for the book – allowed me to tell their stories.
Flo lives in the States now and sent this text:
I just thought I would let you know my book arrived today. I haven’t finished reading it yet, but Gary what an amazing job you did, absolutely perfect about the history of the Corinthians… It’s about the whole team over the years and how they progressed. An amazing book… lots of love and hugs Flo.
Maureen’s son sent the following email:
A fantastic job Gary, amazing! Mum is delighted, and especially the picture of her and dad, and poem excerpt, a few tears… Mum is enthralled with the details, many memories coming back… Mum was delighted to see some of her photos, especially the corinthians badge.
Dorothy’s son sent a nice email too and says she’s still watching her football, tennis and snooker, alongside reading the book of course. It was an absolute pleasure meeting Dorothy, Maureen and Flo and it was wonderful to spend time with them talking about events from almost eighty years ago, when they were teenagers and first playing football. Their stories are of course featured in the book and over the coming weeks and months. I’ll be talking at some events about them and the other Corinthians. There will also be articles.
The book consists of 356 pages. It is illustrated throughout and you can order copies signed by me below for £25 (including UK postage and packaging).
If you live outside the UK then please contact for details of additional postage costs. Note: It may be worth checking your national Amazon website as they do claim they can send copies across Europe and North America (for example) at reasonable costs. I cannot vouch for their service but do suggest checking locally.
To order direct from me, you do not need to have a PayPal account – use the ‘Pay with PayPal’ button below and it will give you the option to pay by credit/debit card without creating a PayPal account.
UK ONLY – Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History
The story of a pioneering women’s club as told to Gary James by those who were there. This will be published in late December 2024. This is UK only at £25 (incl UK postage and packaging). Outside UK contact for additional postage costs.
£25.00
If you want a taste of what’s in the book then watch this wonderfully produced video, filmed at the Corinthians reunion in December. A few former players talk and I explain a little about the club too. For details of the video and to watch it see:
If you’ve issues watching the video there (youtube may ask you to sign in) you can also watch it here (click on the ‘Watch on Youtube’, bottom left if your link doesn’t work):
I’d like to thank all at Imprint Films for doing the video. In the spirit of Percy Ashley himself, they have funded the production of this video themselves and have the desire to see the Corinthians story spread widely. This is, of course, something I totally believe in myself. We need to spread this story and let the entire world know about the Corinthians.
Please share the video and, while you’re at it, spread the news about the book too. Both are self funded and we need help to spread the word.
Doing anything next Wednesday (12 February)? I’ll be doing a free talk on the Manchester Corinthians at Tameside Local Studies and Archive Centre, Cotton Street East, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7BY at 2pm. Anyone can attend but, the Tameside archive centre encourage attendees to book in advance by either emailing archives@tameside.gov.uk or calling 0161 342 4242. If people decide to attend on the day, that is absolutely fine of course.
Here’s the blurb about the event:
The pioneering Manchester Corinthians women’s football team was established during 1948-49. They toured the globe promoting the sport, Manchester and female endeavour at a time when women’s football was banned by the Football Association. Many Corinthians were from Tameside and several still live in the borough today.
Experiencing tours to Portugal, Germany, South America, North Africa, Italy, France and Spain during the 1950s to 1970s, the Corinthians also played a significant role in overturning the FA ban, establishing the Women’s FA and creating regular competition domestically and internationally.
Gary James will be discussing their history, talking of the challenges they faced and the club’s achievements during a 40+ year existence. In 2019 Gary established a campaign to erect permanent tributes to the players and his authorised history of the club was published in January 2025. He has been attending and researching women’s football since the 1980s.
Gary has captured the stories of women who played for the Corinthians throughout its history, including three women in their 90s who were there at the start in 1948-49. A couple of the Corinthians are anticipated to be present at the talk.
Copies of Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History will be available on the day at a discounted price of £20 (RRP £25).
You can find out more on the Corinthians’ book here:
There are a few events lined up where I’ll be talking about the Corinthians. These are free to attend (details below) and tonight (31 January) I’ll be on Lewis Connell’s sport show on Tameside Radio too. That’s on at 7pm (link below). Thanks to Lewis for the invite. He’s been a key supporter of the Corinthians project over the last few years.
Wednesday 12 February 2pm at Tameside Library, Ashton under Lyne
Thursday 27 February (evening) at the West Yorkshire branch of the MCFC Supporters Club
Wednesday 5 March – 5.30pm (general) at Manchester Central Library
Watch this space for further details soon.
There will also be talks with schools and other groups soon. If you’d like me to talk at your library, group or school then please get in touch.
The book is now beginning to appear at bookshops. Amazon now say they have copies if you want to buy it from them. You can also buy copies direct from me.
The book consists of 356 pages. It is illustrated throughout and you can order it below for £25 (including UK postage and packaging).
If you live outside the UK then please contact for details of additional postage costs.
You do not need to have a PayPal account to order – use the ‘Pay with PayPal’ button above and it will give you the option to pay by credit/debit card without creating a PayPal account
UK ONLY – Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History
The story of a pioneering women’s club as told to Gary James by those who were there. This will be published in late December 2024. This is UK only at £25 (incl UK postage and packaging). Outside UK contact for additional postage costs.
£25.00
To get a feel for the Corinthians’ story and the book you can watch an 18 minute video put together by Imprint Films here:
If you’ve issues watching the video there (youtube may ask you to sign in) you can also watch it here (click on the ‘Watch on Youtube’, bottom left if your link doesn’t work):
I’d like to say my heartfelt thanks to Manchester City for their help and for inviting the Corinthians. I’s also like to thank all at Imprint Films for doing the video. In the spirit of Percy Ashley himself, they have funded the production of this video themselves and have the desire to see the Corinthians story spread widely. This is, of course, something I totally believe in myself. We need to spread this story and let the entire world know about the Corinthians.
Please share the video and, while you’re at it, spread the news about the book too. Both are self funded and we need help to spread the word.
A reminder that I’ll be at the Reddish branch of the Manchester City Supporters Club tonight talking about the Manchester Corinthians and, no doubt, a bit about City too. It’s open to non members and the address and details are here:
It’s always a good gathering at Reddish and I’m looking forward to talking about my latest book and the research/stories connected with that. It’ll be great to chat.
Gary James' Football Archive 