As our Club approaches the 40th Anniversary, another significant milestone was the birth of the Lionesses. Today girls’ & ladies’ football is a growing and highly important part of the game. But 10 years ago, the situation was very different. The announcement by Trevor Weller of a new girls team at a Woburn Lions Managers’ meeting was apparently ‘greeted with sniggers’. ‘Girls don’t do football’ was the general view of the time, however thankfully Trevor did not let this put him off. Having placed an advert in the Citizen inviting girls to join a girls football team in Woburn (does anyone have a copy?) , a group of largely Under 10’s was formed. Initial matches were played at Crawley Road with training on a sandy Lord Grey school pitch. Heather…. from the MK Dons trained the team, and also helped forge close links with the ‘re-branded’ club. Mark Bird recalls that there was a degree of resentment from the boys teams, pushing the girls off pitches and generally not being very encouraging. Fortunately the girls were determined to play, and play they certainly have done going on produce the Club’s most successful current team.
Billie Murphy pictured back row.
Like all the Club’s teams, the Lionesses owe so much to all the volunteers, parents & coaches. Along the way they’ve also enjoyed the coaching expertise of Billie Murphy (went on to play for Arsenal & England) and the endorsement of Faye White (England & Arsenal captain) for the end of season presentations in 2010.
Feature picture:- JULY 2011 Lionesses Presentation – How many do you recognise?
