Category Archives: Women’s Football

Corinthians Book Praise

I’m absolutely delighted with this from Matt Williams, a longlist judge for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2025 award. He has posted the following video about the Manchester Corinthians book as his ‘What are we reading this week?’ post on social media. It really does please me and demonstrates why I’ve been so keen to get the Corinthians story out there.

My new book, Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History, is a must for anyone interested in Manchester or women’s football and consists of 356 pages.

It is illustrated throughout and you can order it now for £25 (including UK postage and packaging). I’ll sign all copies ordered direct from me below.

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

William Hill Sports Book of the Year Comments

I’m really pleased with these comments from the William Hill Sports Book of the Year people about my research and book on the Manchester Corinthians:

Thanks to all those involved. Let’s keep spreading the word about the Manchester Corinthians. If you’re interested in reading about the club there are plenty of articles on here, plus here are details about the book:

Manchester Corinthians

Manchester City Women to take part in World Sevens

  • Manchester City Women will compete in the inaugural World Sevens Football tournament in Portugal this month.
  • City are the latest top-flight team announced to take part, completing the line-up alongside FC Rosengard (Sweden), Paris Saint Germain (France), Roma (Italy), Benfica (Portugal), Bayern Munich (Germany), Manchester United (England) and Ajax (Netherlands).
  • The tournament will take place from May 21 to 23 at the Estádio António Coimbra da Mota in Estoril.

Manchester City Women will travel to Portugal this month to compete in the first-ever World Sevens Football (W7F) tournament.

Taking place at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra in Estoril, Portugal from 21 May to 23 May, City join seven other top-flight teams in the seven-a-side competition.

Beginning with a two-day group phase, a knockout stage and final will then determine the first-ever W7F champion on the third day of competition.

It means City could play up to five 30-minute games depending on progress, with the full line-up of eight teams confirmed as FC Rosengard, Paris Saint Germain, Roma, Ajax, Bayern Munich, Benfica and Manchester United.

Interim head coach Nick Cushing will lead a side made up from the first team playing squad, giving a blend of international experience and youth talent a chance to shine on a new stage.

Manchester City Women Director of Football, Therese Sjogran, said: “The tournament is an exciting new competition for the women’s game, and, as a Club that continually looks to blaze the trail, we are proud to be part of this milestone moment from the beginning.

“We look forward to bringing our players to Portugal.”

Adrian Jacob, Head of Football, W7F, added: “With these final four teams, we’ve assembled a line-up that reflects some of the very best of women’s football clubs renowned for their ambition, skill, and global fanbases.

“The W7F tournament will deliver a new kind of football: fast, fearless, and packed with world-class talent. Fans can expect every match to be a showcase of innovation and intensity. We can’t wait to see these teams light up Estoril and inspire the next generation of players and supporters.”

Kelley O’Hara, W7F Player Advisory Council member, continued: “It is so exciting to finally announce the final four teams joining our inaugural World Sevens Football tournament, kicking off in just a few short weeks.

“These top-tier clubs are setting the tone for what’s to come, and I can’t wait to see their players take the pitch for what promises to be really supercharged and competitive football. Having them on board is a huge statement and the best part is we’re just getting started!”

Corinthians in Lisbon 1957

On this day (5 May) in 1957 the Manchester Corinthians and their sister team the Nomads played out a 3-3 draw at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, before a crowd reported as 60,000 by some. This photo shows action from that game with Veronica Bailey on the ball, watched by Mary Bee and under pressure from Barbara Tooth. Two of the three women mentioned have been interviewed for my new book. Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History. It is a must for anyone interested in Manchester or women’s football and consists of 356 pages.

It is illustrated throughout and you can order it now for £25 (including UK postage and packaging). I’ll sign all copies ordered direct from me below.

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

Photos From The Corinthians at United-City

A small group of Manchester Corinthians were invited to attend the WSL Manchester Derby today at Old Trafford. They were taken pitchside and also had seats in the Directors Box. Players from the 50s to 90s were there, such as Margaret Whitworth, who participated in major trophy winning successes for the club in Venezuela and France. Others, like Wendy Crossland, had been significant players during the club’s first league successes – back when the Corinthians became champions of the highest league available to them. Here are a few photos from the day, plus images of the match programme article:

You can discover more on the Corinthians’ history (the facts not the fiction!) in my new book. Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History. It is a must for anyone interested in Manchester or women’s football and consists of 356 pages.

It is illustrated throughout and you can order it now for £25 (including UK postage and packaging). I’ll sign all copies ordered direct from me below.

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

Some photos from when a group of Corinthians visited LFC’s Melwood a few days ago:

The Corinthians at United

If you’re attending the WSL Manchester Derby today at Old Trafford watch out for a few representatives of the Manchester Corinthians. United will be taking them pitchside for a few photographs nears the dugout about 10.50 so watch out for them and give them a cheer if you can. In addition, the match programme will contain a five page feature on the team, explaining their significance and experiences. This really is appreciated. Thanks United! Some photographs from the visit will appear here over the coming days.

If you’re wondering why the Corinthians are so important to football’s history watch this free 18 minute film (including interviews with some of those at United today) now. You won’t be disappointed:

You can discover more on the Corinthians’ history (the facts not the fiction!) in my new book. Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History. It is a must for anyone interested in Manchester or women’s football and consists of 356 pages.

It is illustrated throughout and you can order it now for £25 (including UK postage and packaging). I’ll sign all copies ordered direct from me below.

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

Some photos from when a group of Corinthians visited LFC’s Melwood a few days ago:

The Corinthians at Liverpool

Today was a wonderful day when Liverpool FC welcomed myself & several Manchester Corinthians to their women’s training facility at Melwood. The women who played for the Corinthians during the 50s-80s met the current first team WSL squad of Liverpool; had a tour of the facilities; signed autographs (LFC wanted the Corinthians’ autographs and vice versa); and were given a wonderful lunch. I cannot stress highly enough how incredible the welcome was from LFC – all at LFC, not simply one or two people but everybody from security though to every area of the club.

The oldest Corinthian able to attend was 90 year old Centre-forward Mary Bee. Mary, along with Margaret Whitworth and Gill Holland who were also there today, participated in a major international tournament in Venezuela in 1960 which the Corinthians won. She also played in the 1957 European Cup victory over Germany in Berlin (the Corinthians played as an unofficial England team). Others present today included players who had defeated Juventus in a major final in France in 1970.

Thank you Liverpool! It really was appreciated. Some photographs from the visit appear at the end of this article.

If you’re wondering why the Corinthians are so important to football’s history watch this free 18 minute film (including interviews with some of those at LFC today) now. You won’t be disappointed:

You can discover more on the Corinthians’ history (the facts not the fiction!) in my new book. Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History. It is a must for anyone interested in Manchester or women’s football and consists of 356 pages.

It is illustrated throughout and you can order it now for £25 (including UK postage and packaging). I’ll sign all copies ordered direct from me below.

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

Some photos from today’s visit:

The Corinthians v Nomads First Time?

On this day (29 April) in 1952 the earliest known use of the name Nomads for the Manchester Corinthians’ second team occurred. Years later founding manager Percy Ashley would say the Nomads was founded in 1957 (and many repeat this) but he had established a second team way back in 1949. They originally went under a different name (you can find out all about this in my new book) but occasionally he used the name Nomads during the early 1950s too! You can find out more on the clubs’ various second teams and names, plus the rest of the Corinthians’ history (the facts not the fiction!) in my new book. Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History. It is a must for anyone interested in Manchester or women’s football and consists of 356 pages.

It is illustrated throughout and you can order it now for £25 (including UK postage and packaging). I’ll sign all copies ordered direct from me below.

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

A Women’s Football First!

On this day (16 April) in 1949 the earliest known win over a rival club by the pioneering Manchester Corinthians team was recorded. It was also recorded as ‘the best women’s football match ever seen’ according to one report! The game ended in a 4-3 victory over Ashbourne (at Ashbourne), in front of 2,000 spectators. The winning goal was a penalty. You can find out more on this game and read the facts (not the fiction!) about this incredible team in my new book. Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History is a must for anyone interested in Manchester or women’s football and consists of 356 pages.

It is illustrated throughout and you can order it now for £25 (including UK postage and packaging). I’ll sign all copies ordered direct from me below.

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

Sold Out – Manchester City Women: An Oral History

This week I distributed the last new copy of Manchester City Women: An Oral History. The book told the first 30 years or so of the City Women (formerly City Ladies) team with interviews with women from the first season of 1988-89 through to the 2018-19 season included. Amazon still claim to have a couple of copies, but other than that if you want it look out for ‘pre-loved’ copies. Here’s the Amazon link:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Manchester-City-Women-Oral-History/dp/0955812798/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2W79N46LOQGXO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PQNoqhPqqfTH0pBO8WGK4jtZ-_1JIOefiYiDyO7C-KTTa4ay-DSh8RjyCMV0F7uS.kbsV-81_ugXKld0SUXGY2sQtWmGHzBwPdNzSEv6r5P0&dib_tag=se&keywords=manchester+city+women%3A+an+oral+history&qid=1744732848&sprefix=manchester+city+women+an+oral+history%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1

Thanks to everyone who bought this and supported such a groundbreaking book (and project).

My designer tried quite a few different designs but you can see there was one constant image… My father-in-law’s photo from 1989 of the team at Maine Road.

You can still find lots of interesting stuff on women’s football on my website of course. For example:

https://gjfootballarchive.com/category/womens-football-2/page/16/