Football’s forgotten pioneers: Why the Corinthians story matters now
- Greater Manchester For Women 2028
- Apr 3
- 3 min read
Do you know the powerful story of the Corinthians Ladies Football Club? Have you seen the growing momentum around the documentary The Corinthians: We Were The Champions? What began as a film directed by Helen Tither at Films Not Words has quickly become something more: a movement.
A story that refuses to stay in the past
By way of backstory, the Corinthians were trailblazers. At a time when women were banned from playing on Football Association (FA) affiliated pitches, they built their own path – competing internationally, drawing huge crowds and achieving extraordinary success.
Their story sits within the wider context of the FA ban on women's football 1921–1971 – a 50-year exclusion that denied generations of women the right to play the game on equal terms.
Despite everything, the Corinthians thrived. They travelled the world, won major competitions and inspired future generations. And yet, for decades, their achievements were largely written out of football’s mainstream history.
From film to campaign
The release of The Corinthians: We Were The Champions has reignited public awareness – and with it, a call for accountability.
A campaign, initiated by the Manchester Evening News, called on the FA to formally apologise for the ban and its lasting impact on women’s football. At the same time, Andy Burnham voiced his support, describing the Corinthians as “football’s Suffragettes” and committing to advocate for recognition, including a lasting tribute to the team. This has resulted in the FA issuing a landmark apology.
There are now calls for a broader legacy – including the idea of a “Corinthians Charter” to support equal access for women and girls across football facilities.
Why this matters for gender equality today
For those involved in GM4Women2028, this campaign will feel familiar. First, it’s been driven tirelessly by our charity’s convenor, Helen Pankhurst CBE, who’s performed a pivotal role in securing acknowledgement of the Corinthians by drawing on her longstanding commitment to women’s rights. The photo above captures a moment from our Dialogue, Deeds & Determination event at the University of Salford in July 2024, where members of the Corinthians were brought on stage.
Second, it speaks directly to the thematic areas we continue to explore through our work:
Active Lives – who gets to take part and who is excluded.
Culture – whose stories are remembered and whose are overlooked.
Equity – how past injustices continue to shape present-day opportunities.
The Corinthians’ story is not just about football. It’s about systemic inequality, resilience and the long road to recognition. It reminds us that progress doesn’t always happen automatically – it happens because people push for it.
How to get involved
Experience the story first-hand by watching The Corinthians: We Were The Champions.
Screenings are taking place at HOME cinema in Manchester, and The Light cinemas in Stockport and Bolton throughout April and May, offering a chance to hear and understand the full scale of what they achieved and what they were up against.
A moment to act
Many within the GM4Women2028 community have already supported the film and are working to improve opportunities for women and girls in sport.
This is an opportunity to build on that work.
By watching, sharing and talking about this story, we can help ensure that the legacy of the Corinthians is properly recognised – and that the wider fight for gender equality in sport continues to move forward.
Because history doesn’t just belong in the past. It shapes what comes next.
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