Footballing pioneers get their recognition

Local football historian Dr Gary James has recently published his latest book, titled ‘Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History’. 

The book takes readers through the remarkable journey of a football club which broke down barriers and helped to put women’s football on the map. 

Manchester Corinthian Ladies FC was an English football club founded during 1948-49.  

The pioneering team went on to tour the globe- promoting football, Manchester & female endeavour in the process. 

The driving force behind the club was manager Percy Ashley, who wanted to give his daughter Doris the opportunity to play. 

As well as women’s football being generally frowned upon at this time, there was also an FA ban on women’s football using FA affiliated grounds dating back to 1921, before this was lifted in 1970. 

During the inaugural seasons the Corinthians played friendlies and in small scale competitions in the UK, but during the mid to late 1950s they embarked on a series of European tours. 

Their fame grew and they received invites to play across Europe, in Africa and in South America.  

Occasionally, the club played as an unofficial England side in tournaments, in the days before an official England team existed. 

They found success often, becoming the most successful women’s team by some distance. 

Under the management of Percy Ashley, followed by Gladys Aikin and then George Aikin, the Corinthians were important representatives of women’s football, both internationally and domestically, always contributing to the game’s growth and development. 

The club spawned sister clubs, including Dynamo Ladies and the Nomads, who were also successful and often accompanied the Corinthians on tour and in competition.  

Later, both the Corinthians and Nomads became founder members of the Women’s Football Association. 

Women from across Greater Manchester and beyond have featured for the Corinthians over the years, but Tameside in particular has a profound link to the club. 

This is outlined by the book’s author, Dr Gary James: 

“Although the Corinthians were based in Didsbury for much of the club’s history, Tameside is significant.  

“Lots of players came from Tameside and many still live here.  

“As someone born and raised in Hattersley it pleases me that the borough played a significant role in the development of women’s football. 

“In the book you can read all about the importance of some remarkable players and what they had to face.  

“It has been wonderful capturing their stories and getting this published.  

“Everyone reading the book will be struck by their achievements and the development of the sport. 

“They will also see how the impact of women who played for the club is still being felt today.” 

‘Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History’ is a heavily illustrated, 356-page book, which includes interviews with players from every era. 

From the founding players back in 1948-49 through to those playing in the club’s final days 40 years later, every period of this important football club is covered. 

It tells the Corinthians' story via the voices of the women who played. 

The book is another step forward in author Gary James’ quest to raise awareness of women’s football in Manchester. 

A decade ago, he established a project to document the history of female involvement & participation in football within the Manchester region.  

This led to the publication of Manchester City Women: An Oral History in 2019 and numerous articles, in addition to talks, presentations, lectures, radio and TV appearances on the Manchester Corinthians and other teams. 

He was also a member of the Unlocking the Hidden History of Women’s Football steering committee at the National Football Museum.  

He has worked tirelessly to widen knowledge of women’s football in Manchester, instigating campaigns to erect permanent tributes to the Manchester Corinthians. 

Back in 2023, a blue plaque was unveiled at Fog Lane Park in Didsbury (where Corinthians used to play their home matches) to commemorate the great side- a development which James was at the heart of. 

The Honorary Research Fellow at De Montfort University is also the founder of the international Football History Conference, and has written over twenty books on Manchester’s football history. 

For more information on the book and details on how to purchase, visit the following link: 

https://gjfootballarchive.com/order-manchester-corinthians-book/