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Plaque planned to mark first England international
TL;DR
A heritage blue plaque will be unveiled to commemorate the first home match of the England women's football team, which took place in 1973 when they defeated Scotland 8-0. This event coincides with the Lionesses' upcoming 500th international match against Iceland.
Pat Mitchell-Firth scored the team's first ever hat-trick during the match in Nuneaton in 1973 [BBC]
A heritage blue plaque is set to be unveiled, marking the site of the first home match involving the England women's football team.
The team beat Scotland 8-0 at Nuneaton's Manor Park pitch in 1973.
The event is part of celebrations marking a "landmark milestone" when the Lionesses play their 500th international match against Iceland on Saturday, said the Football Association.
Members of the squad who played in the 1973 match, including goalscorer Pat Mitchell-Firth, will be in attendance, it said.
Aged 16, she scored England Women's first ever hat-trick in front of a crowd of 1,308 at the Warwickshire game.
The player went on to represent England in 11 matches, scoring nine goals, but was forced to retire from the game aged 21 after a cartilage injury.
Ms Mitchell-Firth, then 16, wore the number 9 shirt during her England debut against Scotland [Pat Michell-Firth]
The meeting with Scotland on 23 June was one of the "cornerstone moments" in the team's history, said the FA.
The team were given home-made caps but were finally recognised as original Lionesses in 2023 when the FA issued official caps to all past and present players.
The two sides had already met in the reverse fixture in Greenock in November 1972, England winning 3-2 at Ravenscraig Park.
Preston team, Dick, Kerr Ladies, regularly played in front of crowds of thousands before the FA banned women's football [Getty Images]
The FA banned women's football in 1921 - a time when the women's game was attracting crowds of 53,000 - saying "the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged".
It was nearly 50 years later when the FA rescinded that ban, in 1971, following the formation of the Women's Football Association (WFA) a couple of years earlier.
The England team will play their 500th game [Football Association]
A week of celebrations will begin at game 499, the World Cup qualifier with Spain at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday.
More than 50 former Lionesses from across the decades will be in attendance and will form a guard of honour as both teams walk out onto the pitch, said the FA.
England captain Leah Williamson said: "As we reach the 500th game it feels more important than ever to honour every former Lioness and those who had to play in the shadows prior.
"We are the lucky ones, we get to play with opportunities they could only dream of," she added.
"The trailblazers who played with passion and determination broke boundaries and built the foundations we stand on today."
Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
- One of 'original Lionesses' gets final recognition
- Official cap a women's game milestone - ex-Lioness
- First England team 'no longer being ignored'
- 'Unique piece of women's football history' restored
Related internet links
Q&A
What was the score of the first England women's football match?
The first England women's football match ended with a score of 8-0 in favor of England against Scotland.
When and where did the first home match of the England women's team occur?
The first home match of the England women's team took place in 1973 at Manor Park in Nuneaton.
What is the significance of the heritage blue plaque being unveiled?
The heritage blue plaque marks the site of the first home match of the England women's football team, celebrating a key moment in women's sports history.
When will the England women's football team play their 500th international match?
The England women's football team will play their 500th international match against Iceland on Saturday.
