The Lionesses

Recognising the Lionesses with this award today wasn’t just about the fantastic players in the current triumphant squad and the team behind them, but about all the pioneers and champions through the ages who have made their success possible, whose determination and dedication brought the game from the shadows to the spotlight. The journey from a 50- year ban to sold out crowds at Wembley has required heroic levels of persistence and resilience. Along the way these wonder women have inspired millions of girls to play and shown that football is something that everyone can enjoy and succeed in.

A squad attended the ceremony to receive the honour, representing different generations of the women’s game. These trailblazers included:

Patricia Gregory MBE – Co-founded the WFA and helped overturn the FA’s ban on women’s football.
Morag Pearce – Defender in England’s first women’s international and mentor to new players.
Lynda Hale – Scored in England’s first women’s international and won seven FA Cups.
Carol Thomas BEM – England’s first female to 50 caps and long-time national team captain.
Gill Coultard MBE – England’s first 100-cap player and a legend of Doncaster Belles.
Hope Powell CBE – England’s first full-time women’s coach and a trailblazer in leadership.
Sue Hough MBE – The FA’s first Women’s Football Coordinator and represented women’s football on the FA Council for over 25 years.
Baroness Sue Campbell CBE – FA leader who transformed women’s football nationwide.
Kelly Simmons OBE – Architect of the Women’s Super League and modern women’s game.
Rachel Pavlou – Led grassroots growth and recognition for generations of Lionesses.

Clip with thanks to ITN