Historian's Detective Work Uncovers First Ever Film of Women's Football Match from 1917
In a remarkable historical discovery, the first known film footage of an official women's football match has been confirmed by dedicated historian Steve Bolton. The extraordinary clip, captured on September 1, 1917, during World War One, represents a significant milestone in sporting history that had remained hidden for over a century.
The Sterling Ladies: Football's Forgotten Pioneers
Through meticulous research and what Bolton describes as 'a fair bit of detective work', the historian has authenticated the 29-second film showing the Sterling Ladies FC in action. This team, based in Dagenham, east London, were such formidable players that they earned the nickname 'the Invincibles' during their heyday.
'This does have real historic significance,' Bolton told the Mirror. 'We knew that film footage existed but, finally, after years of research I've managed to establish which games are which and can categorically confirm that the September 1 1917 footage is the oldest known to exist.'
The Sterling Ladies are now recognised as the forerunners to today's celebrated England Lionesses, though their pioneering role had been largely forgotten until now. Bolton describes them as 'the first team of female sports media superstars' who shone brightly a full century before the Lionesses captured the nation's imagination.
Historical Match Details Revealed
Bolton's research has uncovered fascinating details about that historic match. The Sterling Ladies defeated Burton Vowles (shirtmakers) 6-1 on the 'Gordon Fields of Ilford FC' as part of a fundraising event for the Cowlin Memorial Fund, which honoured local hero Horace Cowlin who died at the Somme.
The film begins with the two captains - Edie Mullet of the Sterlings and Ms Williams of Burton Vowles - tossing the coin with referee George Shalders. The footage then shows Mr E. T. Shalders, assistant honorary treasurer of the Sterling Amateur Athletics and Social Club, kicking off the game.
'There then follows footage of general play with Burton Vowles, who were playing their first game, trying hard in white tops and black skirts,' Bolton explained. 'The final shot is of the Sterling team relaxing after the game with George Shalders.'
Match Analysis and Historical Context
The Sterling Ladies led 2-1 at half-time thanks to goals from Ada Fairman, with F. Parish replying for Burton Vowles. After the break, Violet Foster added a third goal before the Dagenham team's 'dashing centre forward' Maud Smith scored twice. Captain Edie Mullet completed the scoring with what contemporary reports described as a 'ripping shot'.
This groundbreaking footage was filmed by British Pathe and was actually shown in cinemas across the country, making the Sterling Ladies genuine media stars of their era. The match formed part of a much larger fete that included:
- An athletics competition featuring the 'Canadians' and the famous Surrey Athletic Club
- Musical entertainment from the 1st Essex Volunteer Regiment and 3rd Cadet Battalion bands
- Professional artistes arranged by the management of the Hippodrome
- Local MP Sir Peter Griggs and his wife Lady Griggs distributing prizes
Additional Discoveries and Historical Significance
Bolton has confirmed the existence of footage from four matches played by the Sterling Ladies. The second game filmed was Sterling Ladies FC versus Vickers Crayford Athletic Club, which ended in a 2-2 draw at Southend on April 20, 1918. The third showed an 11-0 victory over London General Omnibus Co Ladies at Ilford on May 4, 1918, while the fourth captured a 2-0 win against Handley Page Ladies at Ilford on April 12, 1919.
'Because the Sterlings were the most filmed team, any documentaries about women's football that used generic footage often used this and it is often misidentified,' Bolton explained. Remarkably, some of this footage was recently discovered stored in a tin can in Norway's national library, where it had remained unnoticed for decades.
The historian added an intriguing possibility: 'It's entirely possible that there is more footage hidden in a loft somewhere.' This discovery not only preserves the legacy of these pioneering sportswomen but also provides a unique snapshot of life during World War One and the vital role women played in maintaining national morale through sport.
