That was the message from Stephen Bolton, a full time teacher and football historian, who has set up an exhibition about the Dagenham Invincibles women’s football team at Valence House.
The exhibition showcases the journey of women’s football and starts with Stephen’s grandmother, an international footballer herself.
It then focuses on the “legendary” team of the Dagenham Invincibles, who played during the First World War, before touching on the modern day game.
“I came across this amazing team called The Dagenham Invincibles, also known as The Sterling Ladies of Dagenham – the famous women’s team of World War One,” said Stephen.
“This is about the fourth time now that I’ve done a really intense look into them and why they became the greatest team of that era.
“If you see any documentaries about women’s football around World War One they will definitely show clips of The Sterling Ladies.”
Stephen’s exhibition is open at Valence House until March 31 (Image: Stephen Bolton) Stephen described Dagenham’s significance for women’s football as “incredible”.
He explained: “There was women’s football before World War One but it was regarded as just a pastime for middle class women.
“Then, when working class women were needed in the factories, exercise like football was seen to be a good idea and it got allowed during the war.
“It then led to over 1,000 games being played by over 250 teams across the breadth of the country.
“The superstars of that movement were The Sterling Ladies of Dagenham who worked at the Sterling factory making communication technology.”
The Dagenham Invincibles played for two consecutive seasons without being beaten – they won 34 games and drew two across the 1917-18 and 1918-19 seasons.
Stephen said that he is delighted with how the exhibition has turned out.
“It looks like a professional museum exhibit.”
Stephen’s intentions were to cover the basis of women’s football because he feels “the history of women’s football isn’t widely known”.
“I didn’t want to do some exhibit that says ‘look at these magnificent local women from 100 years ago’.
“I wanted to bring it up to date with all the initiatives and cultural diversity happening now.”
The exhibit includes two glass cabinets depicting different eras in the sport.
One contains modern memorabilia from the last Euros and World Cup competition whilst the other cabinet holds old balls, boots and studs.
“You wouldn’t even be allowed to pick up those studs nowadays let alone nail them into your boots,” Stephen said.
There are also eight display boards that Stephen designed and his son Shea helped with.
One board tells the story of Stephen’s grandmother, Lizzy Ashcroft, who made her debut in front of 30,000 fans for St Helen’s in 1921.
Stephen explained that finding out more about her involvement in football is what set him on the path of becoming a football historian.
“Women’s football is now a global sport and industry,” he said.
“In my view, with the legendary Sterling Ladies, The Dagenham Invincibles of World War One, Dagenham has a serious claim to be the spiritual home of the global game.”
When asked why people should visit the exhibit, Stephen said: “I think people need to come and see this and to reflect on the sacrifices that were made by these women in World War One.
“They would work a 12 hour shift and then go and play football – gender didn’t matter – men and women were coming together in a time of crisis.
“I truly believe that if you don’t know your history, you can’t plan your future.”
The exhibit is open to the public until March 31.
