Lost Lionesses - by Gail Emms (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A captivating and moving account of the injustice faced by the first England women's World Cup team that was banned by the F.A and mocked by the media. Told by the team themselves and written by the celebrity daughter of the main striker.

A captivating and moving account of the first England women's football team that took part in the 1971 World Cup - detailing the injustice faced by those who took part and its effect on the women's game as a whole. Told by the team themselves and written by the celebrity daughter of the main striker.

"Don't laugh, one day there may be a female Arsenal", one headline read amidst the ridicule following the First Women's World Cup in 1971.

The spotlight was on the original lionesses, a diverse group of schoolgirls, bank clerks, and switchboard operators, primarily hailing from Chiltern Valley football club, run by a 60-year-old, multilingual bus driver called Harry. These amateur girls emerged as England's first women's football team at the 1971 World Cup in Mexico, only to face scorn once returned home. They were mocked by the press and their achievements were undermined. Players were banned for three months to two years if they tried to play with another team. The heroes had been punished.

But the time has come to tell their truth.

Narrated by the daughter of one of the team members, Janice Barton, with unprecedented access to the secrets and insights of the first ever woman's team, this is a multi-generational story celebrating the power of a group of women who refused to accept the status quo - revealing how the events of 1971 shaped mother and daughter's lives both personally and professionally.

50 years later, Gail, her mother, and the rest of the team are ready to tell their story and share the legacy of the lost lionesses.

About the Author

Gail Emms MBE is a retired English badminton player who has achieved international success in doubles tournaments. First chosen to represent England in 1995, Gail went on to become a world champion - winning a silver medal at the Athens Olympic Games with mixed badminton doubles partner Nathan Robertson. She retired from the sport in 2008. Since then, Gail has forged a successful media career, becoming a recurring presence on esteemed platforms such as Fighting Talk (5Live) and Question of Sport. She also focuses on PR and event management with her own successful company.