In truth, it wasn't our idea. We were approached by a dad whose daughter was keen on the game, but couldn't find anywhere nearby to play. That year we were very pleased with ourselves when we managed to recruit half a dozen other girls to join our young pioneer and form a seven-a-side team.
Back in June, I went to watch the club's annual five-a-side competition. And I was astonished by what I saw. Across the park where it was being staged were 20 small pitches, each occupied by girls teams, dozens of them, representing clubs from across the county.
Speaking to the organiser, I was told that female football has grown exponentially. My old club now has 15 girls' and two women's teams. On a Saturday and Sunday during the season as many girls as boys turn out in the club's colours. This is a game that in 15 years has gone from an adjunct to the mainstream.
And what has rocket-fuelled the growth was England's victory in the Euros last summer. When Leah Williamson lifted the trophy inside an ecstatic Wembley, it irrevocably changed our attitude to women's football.
Esta historia es de la edición August 16, 2023 de The Independent.
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