The Original Rules of Women's Football

Publication: 13 May 2027

This book traces the inspirational story of determination, bravery and indomitable spirit both on and off the pitch of the pioneering women footballers.

'We want the public to observe our mastery of the game, not to come see us on account of the novelty … my firm opinion is that women can, if they are robust and strong enough physically, acquire a fair proficiency in Association.’ Helen Graham Matthews, The Sketch, 9 October 1895

In the original rules of Association football, set down in 1863, there was no mention of women players, but before they were banned from playing on FA club pitches in 1921 women played Association football all over the UK. Though there were sometimes variations in the size of the ball and the length of the match, in general women played to the same rules as the men, and the standardization of these rules in 1863 initially benefited the women’s game, which was promoted by the British Ladies’ Football Club in 1895.

Following an introduction by founding member of the Women’s Football Association and legendary White Ribbon player Patricia Gregory, this book includes the original thirteen laws and traces the extraordinary history of the regulation of the women’s game thereafter. It reveals an inspirational story of determination, bravery and indomitable spirit
both on and off the pitch.

PATRICIA GREGORY MBE was a founder member of the Women’s FA in 1968 and a member of the UEFA Women’s Football Committee from 1980–94. She is the author of Breaking the Grass Ceiling: The History of the Women’s Football Association, 2025

ELLEN WHITE MBE is a former professional footballer and current top goal-scorer for England Women’s team

• Hardback
• ISBN: 9781851246946
• Extent: 64 pages
• Size: 148 x 100 mm
• Illustrations: 9 Halftones, black & white

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