Men banned the women's game because they were too scared it was getting more popular then the men's. Before the FA ban in 1921, women's football in England was gaining significant popularity, attracting crowds of over 50,000.
A Boxing Day match in 1920 at Goodison Park attracted nearly 70,000 spectators. The ban was enacted despite the sport's popularity and was justified by the FA's assertion that the game was "quite unsuitable for females".
In 1921, a variety of men's football matches saw diverse attendance figures. The FA Charity Shield match between Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley had 18,000 attendees at White Hart Lane. Manchester United's home games in the First Division ranged from 30,000 to 70,504, with the highest attendance for a match against Aston Villa. One Second Division match at Old Trafford between Stockport County and Leicester City had a surprisingly low official attendance of just 13, though this was due to many spectators remaining from a prior game. Additionally, a Norwegian national team match against England in Oslo drew 15,000 spectators
Since the last time England men's won a trophy women's football was banned disbanded restarted from grassroots built up to have a national team and won two trophies before the men's could again
To understand the current rise of women’s football in England, we must look at the journey that led us here.
The first women’s international match took place in 1881 between England and Scotland. During WWI, women played while working in factories, but in 1921, the FA banned women’s football from its pitches, calling it “unsuitable for females” — a ban that lasted 50 years.
Progress came slowly. The Women’s Football Association formed in 1969, and the ban was lifted in 1971. That same year, the unofficial FIEFF World Cup final in Mexico drew 110,000 fans. The record stood until 1999, when 90,185watched the USA win the World Cup against China.
In 1998, Hope Powell became the first woman to manage England’s women’s team — paving the way for Sarina Wiegman to eventually lift major silverware.
The game changed again with the launch of the Women’s Super League in 2011, now one of the most competitive leagues globally. In 2014, Wembley hosted its first Women’s FA Cup Final.
By 2019, England vs. Germany at Wembley drew 77,768 fans, and the North London derby packed 38,262 into Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The 2019 World Cup final had a global viewership of 82 million.
By 2020, 3.4 million women and girls in England were playing football. The success of the Lionesses had a ripple effect, supporting jobs, infrastructure, and visibility.
🇪🇺 The 2022 UEFA Women’s EURO
The EUROs 2022, hosted in England, were game-changing. Premier League stadiums like Old Trafford and Brighton's Amex were sold out. Over 500,000 tickets were sold — doubling previous records.
The final at Wembley broke attendance records with 87,192 fans, as England beat Germany. The tournament reached 365 million viewers worldwide and generated £81 million in economic activity. Social media exploded with 453 million interactions.
Alex Scott revealed Premier League clubs had initially refused to host matches in 2018. But by 2022, the world was watching — and England delivered.
Debbie Hewitt MBE also became the first female FA chair in its 157-year history, helping push representation off the pitch too.
📈 The 2023–2025 Boom
The WSL 2022/23 season drew 680,000 fans, up 172% from the previous year. Arsenal and Chelsea began regularly selling out Emirates and Stamford Bridge. Chelsea’s semi-final vs. Barcelona in 2024 marked their first women’s sell-out at Stamford Bridge.
Still, there’s work to do. Manchester United didn’t sell out their final league game vs Chelsea, and teams like Crystal Palace and Newcastle made landmark appearances at Selhurst Park and St James’ Park respectively, despite mixed results.
The FA recorded a 140% increase in participation among girls and a 53% increase among women 16+. That’s 2.3 million more women and girls playing the season after the tournament.
🩺 Injuries & Inequality
However, concerns persist. ACL injuries continue to plague top players — from Beth Mead to Sam Kerr. FIFPRO and UEFA have called for more research, as only 8% of sports science currently focuses on women.
Investment in goal-line technology and VAR is also lacking. A controversial goal in Chelsea vs Spurs (Oct 2024)reignited the debate.
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor, ex-Spurs coach Robert Vilahamn, and pundit Fara Williams all called for parity with the men’s game. “If we want to look professional,” Bompastor said, “we need the same tools.”
🏆 EURO 2025: History Repeats
In 2025, England made more history — winning back-to-back UEFA Women’s EUROs.
The story of Chloe Kelly, nearly left off the squad after limited minutes at Man City, summed it up. She forced a loan to Arsenal, regained form, and delivered:
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2 assists vs Sweden in the quarter-final
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A rebound goal vs Italy in the semi
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The winning penalty vs Spain in the final — clocked at 110km/h, faster than any men’s Premier League shot last season
Kelly became the first player to score the winning goal in two consecutive Euros.
“Tough times don’t last. But tough people do,” she said post-match.
England’s victory capped a tournament full of drama, packed stadiums, and global attention — proving women’s football in England isn’t just growing, it’s thriving.
🚀 What Comes Next?
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The WSL must remain fully professional, with investment in research, fair contracts, maternity protections, and better officiating tools.
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Collaboration between WSL and Premier League clubs is key — women’s teams must have equal access to stadiums and resources.
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Journalists, broadcasters, and leaders must reflect the sport's diversity and continue telling stories like Chloe Kelly’s, Ella Toone’s, and Leah Williamson’s.
Women’s football in England in 2025 is powerful, visible, and meaningful. The journey isn’t over — but the game is finally where it belongs: at the heart of the nation.
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