Today, The National Lottery has released a series of recreated images from the first match of the British Ladies Football Club in 1895, to celebrate the upcoming 2022 UEFA Women’s EURO 2022.
Chelcee Grimes
Featuring footballer and singer-songwriter Chelcee Grimes, flanked alongside a squad of community female players from around the UK, the team photo pays homage to the trailblazers of the women’s game.
The original image features one of the first known women’s teams, The British Ladies’ FC, which was formed by captain Nettie Honeyball, who is widely considered a pioneer of women’s football and the early feminist movement. Their first game was played in Crouch End, North London, in front of a crowd of 10,000 people. In the original match, the players wore buttoned-up blouses and billowing bloomers, in line with the Radical Dress Movement for reforming the dress standards of women. Players would have only owned one pair of boots, which had to be heeled to ensure they weren’t considered to be breaking the Victorian standards of decency.
Fast forward over 125 years and the women’s game couldn’t look more different. Over the last ten years alone, National Lottery players have helped invest over £50 million into football in ways which benefit the women and girls’ game. This investment includes funding specific programmes as part of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 legacy, as well as supporting the sport’s return after Covid-19 and other initiatives to inspire females to play the game.
In all, across the last 25 years, more than £5.7 billion of National Lottery funding has been invested into grassroots sports.
Chelcee Grimes, who has played for Liverpool, Fulham and Merseyside Ladies spoke to Female First about the images, the future of women's sport and the importance of football after the pandemic.
At what point in your life did football become a passion for you?
I started to play football when I was the nine and I signed for Liverpool {at the same age} which is my childhood club. It's funny to see how far the women's game has progressed because back then we were wearing men’s kits, and we were lucky If we had two matching socks! But now I have a 13-year-old sister who plays football and to see the growth of the game is just amazing. Women now have kits that are specifically designed for a female body and it's now cool for girls to play football!
Please tell us about The National Lottery's involvement in supporting grassroots women's football.
National Lottery players have been crucial in supporting good causes. Over the past 10 years, The National Lottery has helped invest over £50 million into grassroots football, in ways which benefits the women’s game. This investment includes funding specific programmes as part of the Women’s Euros legacy to inspire females to play the game. The funding also covers things like training sessions, new kit, transport, right through to upgrading facilities.
Why has it been so important over the last two years during the pandemic?
Before the pandemic, the women’s game was flying, but during the various lockdowns everything had to stop and this really hit women’s football on every level of the game. Over the past two years, funding from The National Lottery was keeping local community clubs afloat and that’s why I’m so happy to be involved in this campaign to support the next generation of players. Sport really has the power to bring people together and grassroots clubs and organisations play such a vital role in giving young people the time and space to realise their full potential.
Please tell us about your involvement with Soccer Aid.
Soccer Aid was amazing! We were all there to raise vital funds to keep children around the world happy, healthy and safe to play. It was interesting as all the musicians wanted to be footballers and all the footballers wanted to be musicians! For me it was a double win as my team won again on the night – so I’m three for three!
What are your thoughts on the women who played in the 1895 match?
I wouldn’t be here at all if it wasn’t for this photograph and these women. I can’t imagine what it was like playing football back then in the 1890’s. When I started playing age 9 it was hard enough, as I felt like an outcast, but that’s nothing compared to what these women went through. They were true trailblazers, and I have so much love and gratitude for all the women in this photo.
What was it like to recreate the heritage image?
I was recreating the team captain of the first British Ladies Football Club, Nettie Honeyball who is widely considered a pioneer of women’s football. I’m just hoping I do her justice! It’s a lot of pressure! I’ve never recreated a photo before and there’s a lot of minor adjustment turning your foot this way or that. It’s a significant thing though, and I’m hoping it’s something we can all be proud of.
What is your view on the current state of women's sport? Are there any changes that need to take place?
Obviously football is my passion but there’s been amazing progress across lots of areas. Seeing the growth from when I started playing has been huge, who knows where the game can go. I’m hoping that when I’m 60 or 70, you never know, people might be recreating our picture one day!
Which female sportsperson has been inspired you the most over the years?
So many – not just in sport, there are so many amazing women out there, those who aren’t afraid to go against the grain that’s what I’m a big fan of. I’m close with lots of players and people in sport, and they are all inspirational to me in different ways. The women in the photo we are recreating are the same – trailblazers who aren’t afraid to do their own thing.
Who are the most important women in your life right now?
Outside of sport, growing up as a musician I love Lady Gaga because she was absolutely wild, everyone thought she was crazy. But she does what she wants, and I respect that so much, no matter if you love or hate what they do you can’t help but respect anyone who does what they love.
What is next for you?
I’m back to football. Pre-season is starting already so I’ve signed a new deal and I’m back into it. A lot more music, a lot more football and until my legs give up on me, I’ll continue doing both as much as I can!
