91Èȱ¬

The English Ladies Football Association was formed in the 1920sFanny Williams played for Swindon Town Ladies Football team in the 1920s. Fanny was born in 1894 and lived in the St Margaret's Road area of the town. Little is known about her life and interest in football. The boots were donated to Swindon Museum by a family member in 1980. They are size five and are made from brown leather with leather studs.

Ladies football developed during the First World War. Employees of munitions factories formed teams to play against each other. Many of these teams disbanded at the end of the war. However, in some areas, ladies football developed firmer roots and continued into the 1920s. Despite opposition and the Football Association banning ladies football on their grounds, the English Ladies Football Association was formed in 1921. The Ladies Association set up a national Challenge Cup competition in 1922 which was won by Stoke Ladies FC.

The English Ladies Football Association was formed in the 1920s