Farsley-based social enterprise to celebrate Women’s FA Cup anniversary with free online event

Featuring BBC sports journalist and author of ‘A History of Women’s FA Cup Final’ Chris Slegg and 1985 Women's FA Cup Winner Lori Hoey, the event will explore some of the moments that have shaped the evolution of the competition.

Supported by funding by Sports England, the event is being organised by Sporting Heritage, a not-for-profit organisation based in Farsley who are dedicated to collecting, preserving and enhancing access to the UK’s sporting heritage.

This exclusive, free event is being hosted by Sporting Heritage's Education Lead, Derek Peaple who will also be joined by Women’s FA co-founder Patricia Gregory to consider where we would be now if the competition had been fully embraced by the authorities half a century ago.

As Chelsea and Arsenal prepare to battle for the FA Cup in the final at Wembley on December 5, Peaple is looking forward to the opportunity to take a look back at the rich history of the competition at Sporting Heritage’s anniversary celebration.

“The WFA competition and women’s football, in general, has really developed since the very first FA Cup final on Sunday 9th May 1971,” Peaple said.

“Southampton Women beat Scottish side Stewarton Thistle on an overgrown pitch inside an athletics track at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre with just a handful of spectators watching and very little, to no media interest.

“Those early pioneers of the sport have really paved the way for the game we see today. They fought prejudice and discrimination to overturn a ban that had been in place on women’s football since 1921.

“This online event is a brilliant opportunity to find out about the heritage of women’s football and hear the first-hand stories of these inspiring sportswomen.”

Fifty Years of the Women's FA Cup Final will take place on Monday November 29 at 1pm. Tickets are free and can be booked online here.

Support the YEP and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news and the latest on Leeds United. With a digital subscription, you see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click HERE to subscribe.