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.
Denne historien er fra August 16, 2023-utgaven av The Independent.
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Denne historien er fra August 16, 2023-utgaven av The Independent.
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Murray to coach Djokovic for Australian Open title
Andy Murray will coach his longtime rival Novak Djokovic before and during the Australian Open in January.
Jones's complex legacy adds intrigue to must-win clash
It was with not inconsiderable disappointment that news came through on Friday afternoon that illness had laid Eddie Jones low and the Japan head coach would be unable to conduct a planned press conference.
Mighty Springboks ensure Wales end year without win
Wales slumped to a 12th successive Test match defeat and head coach Warren Gatland saw the pressure ramped up on him as world champions South Africa won 45-12 at the Principality Stadium.
Jackson profits as Chelsea put the chaos behind them
In typically unconvincing fashion, Chelsea march on, thanks to the striker who is now, nestled nicely in Erling Haaland’s slipstream, perhaps the Premier League’s second-most-effective marksman.
Arsenal's heartbeat returns to restore missing quality
The Emirates rose to its feet as soon as it became clear Martin Odegaard would be departing.
City slump to fifth straight defeat after Spurs mauling
Five in a row has taken on a different meaning for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola.
‘No zero-risk flight paths remain over Middle East’
Aviation group warns of dangers ranging from attacks by Houthi rebels to overloads of air traffic control systems
Satellites spy North Korea’s huge imports of Russian oil
North Korea has allegedly imported more than a million barrels of oil from Russia this year, flouting United Nations sanctions, according to satellite analysis.
Cop29 secures last-minute $300bn climate finance deal
Delegates finally agree after a dramatic day of prolonged negotiations and loud protests echoing through corridors
Rabbits with missing eyes and ears had deadly virus
Dozens of rabbits found dead with missing eyes and ears had a \"dangerous\" and \"highly contagious\" form of hepatitis, according to the RSPCA.
