It promises to be another exciting chapter in our Club’s story, but the city of Manchester already has a long history of women’s football.
Prominent games were played in the region from the 1800s with both our old Hyde Road ground and United’s Old Trafford staging prominent games during the 1910s & 1920s.
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There was a women’s league established in the city which applied to join the FA in 1917 and there were numerous factory teams dotted around the region. Our great former player Billy Meredith coached a women’s team too.
During the 1940s two clubs that brought real honour to our city were founded. First came Manchester Ladies and then in 1949 the Manchester Corinthian Ladies Football Club was established.
Both teams promoted women’s football extensively and by 1960 the Corinthians were competing in tournaments around the world, bringing numerous trophies back to Manchester.
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Manchester Football Historian Dr Gary James has been researching the Corinthians’ story for many years and this year he will be publishing Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History.
Well-known to local football fans for his dedication to promoting the achievements of these remarkable pioneering women, Gary explains why they matter so much: ‘“Most of the women and girls who joined simply wanted to play football.
“At the time society and rules in place tried to stop women from playing football but these pioneers did it anyway. They had a spirit and desire that was truly impressive and Manchester sport became richer for it.
‘I’ve known some Corinthians for almost forty years and their stories are incredible. Playing in tournaments in Africa, Europe, South America and Central America and delivering great success.
“Sometimes they played in front of family and friends in Fog Lane Park, Didsbury and then the next week they’d be off playing in national stadia in Portugal or further afield, in front of 60,000. They took it all in their stride. Nothing fazed them.
‘“I feel so honoured they’ve decided to let me write their authorised history. It means a lot.”
The Manchester Corinthians were brought together under the management of Percy Ashley but they were more than simply a football team.
They had a real camaraderie and they encouraged others to play the game.
Gary: “They played on for over forty years and saw the development of women’s football go from banned activity through to the establishment of leagues and major competition.
“By the time the club finished both City and United possessed their own teams and several former Corinthians went on to play for those clubs.’
The Corinthian connections with City and United were always strong, as Gary explains: “Facilities such as City’s Platt Lane and United’s Cliff were used for training sessions, while several prominent Manchester male footballing personalities became involved with the club at times, including Matt Busby, Bert Trautmann, Johnny Carey and Dave Ewing.
“Today, many of the Corinthians still attend games played by Manchester’s women’s and men’s teams.
“In fact Jan Lyons, who was a trophy winner with the Corinthians and had a couple of years with Juventus in the 1970s, was at Istanbul cheering City’s men on in the Champions League final last year.”
In recent years Gary instigated a campaign to erect a blue plaque and other tributes to the Corinthians: “We had terrific support from the Football Association’s Rachel Pavlou.
“When I discussed the idea she immediately offered funds and other support to ensure the Corinthians were recognised. Working with the Friends of Fog Lane Park – who put in tremendous effort – we managed to get a plaque and murals erected last year.”
The plaque unveiling appeared extensively on national TV with many of the former players interviewed and this has led to a great deal of interest in their story from others.
Gary: “The aim was to ensure the wider world knew something of this incredible team, so that’s hugely satisfying.
“But more needs to be done to ensure future generations remember and know the experiences and facts.”
This summer Gary’s book will tell the story of the Corinthians from its birth to its final days and on to the present.
It’s a story that has never been told in its entirety. It will be another important addition to the vast library of Manchester football books researched by him.
There are plenty of myths out there about the formation of the Corinthians and the club’s wider story which Gary aims to correct.
He’s spent considerable time, effort and money in his quest to ensure the Corinthian story is recorded properly for ever.
To do that he’s been researching long forgotten archives and interviewing dozens of the women who played. It’s a phenomenal achievement and Gary’s book will be a must read for anyone interested in women’s football or Manchester.
Already Gary has identified over 300 women who played for the club but he still wants to hear about others: “I’ve been asking people to ask their “Mam” or “Nan” if she played because, quite often, the players haven’t really talked about what they achieved.
“Asking your older female relatives whether they played football could uncover another story or angle.”
You can find out more on that appeal by clicking here.
Most of the Corinthians are now in their sixties to nineties and the plaque unveiling last year was a wonderful gathering. In 2019 several members of the team were invited to City to attend a WSL game, where they met England international Karen Bardsley.
That same year Gary wrote numerous articles, telling the world their story as he pushed for their achievements to be recognised. Some of these were published by City and the club is immensely proud of those who played for the Corinthians, representing our city.
The quest to ensure the club’s full history is known is close to fruition. Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History can be ordered now pre-publication direct from Gary. Everyone ordering before publication will get their name published in the book.
So while we have the latest Manchester derby in the WSL at the Etihad spare a thought for those pioneering women who played in front of huge crowds in the forties to nineties. They are part of this incredible journey for the sport.
There is a direct line from the formation of the Corinthians in 1949 through to the latest Manchester clash in the WSL.
Dr Gary James’ new book “Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History” is available to order pre-publication by clicking here.
For more details follow Gary on twitter: @garyjameswriter or facebook.com/garyjames4
