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'Unsuitable for Females': The Rise of the Lionesses and Women's Football in England
Shortlisted for the 2023 Sports Book Awards for Best Football Writing of the Year
Discover the origins of the Lionesses that brought football home.
England's Lionesses are on the front and back pages; their stars feature on prime-time television; they are named in the national honours lists for their contribution to their sport and to society. The names of Lucy Bronze, Steph Houghton and Ellen White are emblazoned across the backs of children’s replica jerseys. These women are top athletes – and top celebrities. But in 1921, the Football Association introduced a ban on women’s football, pronouncing the sport 'quite unsuitable for females'.
That ban would last for half a century - but despite official prohibition the women’s game went underground. From the Dick, Kerr Ladies touring the world to the Lost Lionesses who played at the unsanctioned Women's World Cup in Mexico in 1971, generations of women defied the restrictions and laid the foundations for today's Lionesses - so much so that in 2018 England's Women’s Super League became the first fully professional league in Europe...when just a few decades previously women were forbidden to play the sport in England at all.
This book tells the story of women’s football in England since its 19th-century inception through pen portraits of its trailblazers. The game might have once been banned because of its popularity – find out about the subversive women who kept organising their teams and matches despite the prohibition, who broke barriers and set records – the legends of the game who built the foundations of the stage upon which today’s stars flourish.
'At what feels like a pivotal moment, Carrie’s forensic research and depth of knowledge make her the perfect person to guide us through the constantly changing landscape of women’s football' - Kelly Cates, TV presenter
Discover the origins of the Lionesses that brought football home.
England's Lionesses are on the front and back pages; their stars feature on prime-time television; they are named in the national honours lists for their contribution to their sport and to society. The names of Lucy Bronze, Steph Houghton and Ellen White are emblazoned across the backs of children’s replica jerseys. These women are top athletes – and top celebrities. But in 1921, the Football Association introduced a ban on women’s football, pronouncing the sport 'quite unsuitable for females'.
That ban would last for half a century - but despite official prohibition the women’s game went underground. From the Dick, Kerr Ladies touring the world to the Lost Lionesses who played at the unsanctioned Women's World Cup in Mexico in 1971, generations of women defied the restrictions and laid the foundations for today's Lionesses - so much so that in 2018 England's Women’s Super League became the first fully professional league in Europe...when just a few decades previously women were forbidden to play the sport in England at all.
This book tells the story of women’s football in England since its 19th-century inception through pen portraits of its trailblazers. The game might have once been banned because of its popularity – find out about the subversive women who kept organising their teams and matches despite the prohibition, who broke barriers and set records – the legends of the game who built the foundations of the stage upon which today’s stars flourish.
'At what feels like a pivotal moment, Carrie’s forensic research and depth of knowledge make her the perfect person to guide us through the constantly changing landscape of women’s football' - Kelly Cates, TV presenter
240 pages, Paperback
Published August 2, 2022
22 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 30, 2025
With the 2025 UEFA European Women's Championship* kicking off in just a few days (and me being in full football fever mode), this was the perfect book to read right now. I love the Lionesses just as much as our own Norwegian national team, so I was eager to learn more about their history and origins.
"Unsuitable For Females" is a fascinating insight into the early days of women's fotball in England, highlighting the trailblazing players and teams who laid the foundations for today's Lionesses. It's especially inspiring to read how the players and coaches (and their many male supporters) refused to let the FA ban of 1921 -effectively outlawing women's football for 50 years- stop them from playing the sport they loved. The epilogue was also heartwarming.
There are a lot of names, details and historical information here, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book to everyone. But for those of us who love women's football, this should be essential reading. 4.25 stars!
* GO, LIONESSES! I'm crossing my fingers for a reprise of the 2022 Euros, because let's face it, there's little chance of Norway bringing home any medals this year either...
"Unsuitable For Females" is a fascinating insight into the early days of women's fotball in England, highlighting the trailblazing players and teams who laid the foundations for today's Lionesses. It's especially inspiring to read how the players and coaches (and their many male supporters) refused to let the FA ban of 1921 -effectively outlawing women's football for 50 years- stop them from playing the sport they loved. The epilogue was also heartwarming.
There are a lot of names, details and historical information here, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book to everyone. But for those of us who love women's football, this should be essential reading. 4.25 stars!
* GO, LIONESSES! I'm crossing my fingers for a reprise of the 2022 Euros, because let's face it, there's little chance of Norway bringing home any medals this year either...
May 21, 2024
Carrie Dunn’s beautifully researched account of women’s football in England tells a thorough tale of the original lionesses and players up and down the country who fought to be recognised.
Whilst the tales of struggle again the ban were inspiring, I found myself slightly less interested in the minutiae of each club and player. At times it felt too in depth for my personal level of interest and was incredibly information heavy, making it difficult to remember the story from page to page (my short term memory leaves something to be desired apparently).
The book ends off by bringing us into the 21st century, detailing the emotional wins of the current Lionesses and their tributes to the trailblazers who came before them. I found the ending encompassed what I truly wanted from the book, which was to feel like the unsung heroes of football were finally singing their swan song.
Whilst the tales of struggle again the ban were inspiring, I found myself slightly less interested in the minutiae of each club and player. At times it felt too in depth for my personal level of interest and was incredibly information heavy, making it difficult to remember the story from page to page (my short term memory leaves something to be desired apparently).
The book ends off by bringing us into the 21st century, detailing the emotional wins of the current Lionesses and their tributes to the trailblazers who came before them. I found the ending encompassed what I truly wanted from the book, which was to feel like the unsung heroes of football were finally singing their swan song.
June 29, 2022
This is an excellent guide to the history of women's football in England. From the late-19th century and the women who first started to play, build teams and then a fledging Women's leagues. Then we get to the FA's infamous 1921 ban on women's football, a game they said was..."quite unsuitable for females." But which might have been more based on the worrying popularity of teams like Dick, Kerr Ladies during World War One.
But women didn't stop playing football after 1921. They played in works teams and local teams ignoring the FA's rules that meant they couldn't use the facilities of men's teams. Gradually, despite the continuing sexism and - frankly - pettiness of the FA an amateur women's game began to form, including fledgling international teams. Each decade saw further steps forward until the FA was forced, by UEFA and FIFA, to accept Women's football as official. The story then takes us through the 80s, 90s and into the new millennia and up to the present day and beyond.
Dunn has taken one person or one incident or team as the hook for each chapter that then expands to tell the story of an era more generally. Sometimes information is scarce. Women's sport, like a lot of women's history, suffers from the lack of sources. The invisibility of women in social history in general is even more obvious in the history of women's sports. But Dunn does a good job of explaining those gaps and telling the stories that can be told without that information. Women's football has a more precarious existence than the men's game, certainly at the upper levels.
The increasing popularity of the women's game is also part of this story, although I found it interesting that some of the older players weren't quite as enamoured of this new popularity as you'd expect and it isn't jealousy about money like it often is in the men's game, it seems to be a genuine fondness - nostalgia? - for a more amateur ethos. Money spoils sport. Professionalism comes with a pressures that perhaps weren't there before. You hear it a lot when people talk about sport.
So, I recommend this as an excellent overview of the changing nature of the women's football. There are lots of great stories in here and there is a chance for people - mainly women, obviously - to have their stories told.
But women didn't stop playing football after 1921. They played in works teams and local teams ignoring the FA's rules that meant they couldn't use the facilities of men's teams. Gradually, despite the continuing sexism and - frankly - pettiness of the FA an amateur women's game began to form, including fledgling international teams. Each decade saw further steps forward until the FA was forced, by UEFA and FIFA, to accept Women's football as official. The story then takes us through the 80s, 90s and into the new millennia and up to the present day and beyond.
Dunn has taken one person or one incident or team as the hook for each chapter that then expands to tell the story of an era more generally. Sometimes information is scarce. Women's sport, like a lot of women's history, suffers from the lack of sources. The invisibility of women in social history in general is even more obvious in the history of women's sports. But Dunn does a good job of explaining those gaps and telling the stories that can be told without that information. Women's football has a more precarious existence than the men's game, certainly at the upper levels.
The increasing popularity of the women's game is also part of this story, although I found it interesting that some of the older players weren't quite as enamoured of this new popularity as you'd expect and it isn't jealousy about money like it often is in the men's game, it seems to be a genuine fondness - nostalgia? - for a more amateur ethos. Money spoils sport. Professionalism comes with a pressures that perhaps weren't there before. You hear it a lot when people talk about sport.
So, I recommend this as an excellent overview of the changing nature of the women's football. There are lots of great stories in here and there is a chance for people - mainly women, obviously - to have their stories told.
October 11, 2022
Despite women being banned from playing football for over 50 years, Dunn shines a light on the incredible players and coaches that wouldn't let anything get between them and 90 minutes, despite the challenges. Attitudes towards women's football have changed so much recently - it feels like the public have finally woken up. And when I think about how far along we've moved in the past five years, it's hard and exciting to imagine where we could be in the next five. But womens football wouldn't be here - and I wouldn't have had the amazing opportunities to play myself - without the fearless and passionate players that came before us. However, their achievements are so often forgotten, poorly recorded, and rarely celebrated, that Dunn does a great job at bringing them to life through their own stories. Indebted to those that came before - thank you, the dial is shifting!
June 19, 2022
A fascinating insight into the world of women’s football, with history predating the late 1800’s. The book evolves in time through the chapters, depicting how football was in the early years and inception, before building up to the modern day era. I developed a great understanding of pioneers and figureheads that I did not know previously, but also developed a sense of pride and gratitude to the women who did not back down. Continuing to play for the love of the game
December 15, 2024
Like most nonfic books this had some really interesting parts and some dryer parts. I wouldn’t necessarily consider it a must read for women’s football fans but it’s certainly one worth considering if you’re interested in the history of women’s football in England.
July 9, 2025
An important read and timely read as women’s sport comes under scrutiny more and more, and with the 2025 euros upon us, where england look to defend their title! Don’t be fooled by how long it took me to get through, non fiction takes me a lot longer to get my teeth into but that is not at all an indictment on the quality of the book!
October 13, 2022
My husband snuck a Luton Town teddy bear into our daughter’s crib whilst still in hospital so she didn’t get much of a choice in having an interest in football. She has played and watched football since she was diddy and at school when asked to write about her hero she chose Lucy Bronze. My own interest in Women’s Football only came during the World Cup in 2015 and even more so during and since this year’s Euros.
In Dunn’s follow up to The Pride of the Lionesses she looks at some of the unsung players of the past, the obstacles in the way of the clubs and the players. A fascinating look into the history of the game from the perspectives of the players and coaches involved. The sacrifices women made just to play football, not for the high salaries or celebrity status, some taking or staying in jobs just so they could be near to their clubs or be able to take time off for international matches.
I found myself brought to tears by Julie Chipchase, a woman who devoted her life to the game and the players in her team who when she knew she was dying ‘’’’’. Made me even angrier when I see the misogyny on social media whenever there is an article about Women’s football. The comments of you can only fill grounds because of the cheap tickets or only full of women and kids…….which I think is absolutely brilliant!
A book full of food for thought because as much as I celebrate and enjoy the success of the Lionesses I also have sorrow for the women and girls who came before them and worry that do we really want women’s football to become like the men’s game?
In Dunn’s follow up to The Pride of the Lionesses she looks at some of the unsung players of the past, the obstacles in the way of the clubs and the players. A fascinating look into the history of the game from the perspectives of the players and coaches involved. The sacrifices women made just to play football, not for the high salaries or celebrity status, some taking or staying in jobs just so they could be near to their clubs or be able to take time off for international matches.
I found myself brought to tears by Julie Chipchase, a woman who devoted her life to the game and the players in her team who when she knew she was dying ‘’’’’. Made me even angrier when I see the misogyny on social media whenever there is an article about Women’s football. The comments of you can only fill grounds because of the cheap tickets or only full of women and kids…….which I think is absolutely brilliant!
A book full of food for thought because as much as I celebrate and enjoy the success of the Lionesses I also have sorrow for the women and girls who came before them and worry that do we really want women’s football to become like the men’s game?
September 25, 2022
As Sir Isaac Newton said: "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants" and so to, the female footballers of today, including those who bought football home earlier this year. This book details the rise and rise of womens' football in England from the early 20th century through battling against a ban to fully professionalising of the game and the development of the WSL. If you are a long-term fan of the womens' game, like me or recently found it thanks to the Euros win, this is a book for you. These women are trully inspirational for young girls dreaming of a life in football but also women and girls in general.
August 16, 2024
This history of women’s football is written in a similar manner to Carrie Dunn’s ‘Lionesses’ books - following key individuals (& interviewing many of these) to explore the history of the game. It is a fascinating insight into women’s football, written in an accessible manner, however early on the book suffered a little from speculation necessitated by patchy historical records. At times it was hard to remember who the key players were as it jumped between stories, leading to lots of flicking backwards and forwards to check facts. Generally though, a really interesting read.
March 25, 2023
A timely reminder that women's football didn't start with the WSL. Starting from the early days of Nettie Honeyball, it runs through society's distaste of women doing anything unladylike, the FA effectively banning women's football - but they persisted nevertheless, and the unofficial world cup through to the Doncaster Belles and the early days of professionalism. A book to make you angry and hopeful and proud.
October 17, 2023
3.75*
An interesting look at the first Lionesses, the 1921 ban on women’s football by the FA, the pseudonyms used (which made the research into the original team sound fascinating…but also difficult), and the views of those women on how the game has changed for the current Lionesses.
Looking forward to reading Dunn’s next book, which focuses more on the ‘shrink it and pink it’ approach to women in sports
An interesting look at the first Lionesses, the 1921 ban on women’s football by the FA, the pseudonyms used (which made the research into the original team sound fascinating…but also difficult), and the views of those women on how the game has changed for the current Lionesses.
Looking forward to reading Dunn’s next book, which focuses more on the ‘shrink it and pink it’ approach to women in sports
April 19, 2024
Very informative read for those who want to know more about the trailblazing women of football in England back when it was still “banned”. The Champions chapter about Arsenal with lots of quotes from Vic Akers was the highlight of the book for me, for personal reasons. #COYG!
September 25, 2024
Fantastic narrative reporting. It's a little dense to the American reader, even if you are a WoSo fan, but is an interesting look at the development of the women's sport in the UK mainly during the 20th century.
September 12, 2025
Best book I have read in a year. An incredible story of loyalty and friendship. I loved how this author infused the novel with the culture and recent history of Iran. Especially loved her connections with food.
June 27, 2023
Excellent history of women’s football in England
August 24, 2023
super interesting history, def want to start watching the WSL
October 16, 2023
Definitive study of football in the amateur and semi-pro era, with an astonishing array of interviews. Very good on the early years after the ban was lifted.
November 1, 2023
Interesting topic but felt the way it was written, the way quotes were written so verbatim to be quite annoying.
January 10, 2024
I forget how poorly notts’ plan was. Great insight to the game, recommend!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews