THE GRANDSON of one of the 1920s St Helens Ladies AFC team shed tears today as his ‘granny’s’ team were given the credit “they deserve” 100 years later with a commemorative plaque.

During the First World War, women’s football gained popularity and the St Helens Ladies grew from local munition and glass worker teams such as Sutton Bond and Rainhill Munitions, becoming a formidable force in a golden era of women’s football.

The plaque was unveiled at the leisure centre

The St Helens Ladies were captained by inspirational goalkeeper Edith Waine, and featured remarkable players such as Lydia Ackers, Susie Chorley, Lizzie Ashcroft, and Alice Woods.

However, in December 1921, the Football Association banned women from playing on their grounds “football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not be encouraged”.

However, despite this, the fighting spirit of could not be diminished and teams continued to play on local parks and open ground.

(Image: St Helens AFC team in 1923)

On Saturday, March 31, 1923, St Helens Ladies Amateur Football Club reportedly bowed out in style by thrashing the world’s greatest women’s football team, the Dick Kerr’s Ladies 5-1, on Queens Park in St Helens, though many players went on to play in teams after that.

The Dick Kerr’s Ladies team included footballing trailblazer Lily Parr, from St Helens.

She was the first woman inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame and has a statue at The National Football Museum.

The blue plaque at the park entrance acknowledge sthe St Helens Ladies squad from 1919 to 1923 and celebrates "the women of this pioneering football team played on during the Football Association's 1921 ban".

Lizzie Ashcroft later in life

The blue plaque at the park entrance acknowledges the St Helens ladies squad from 1919 to 1923 and celebrates "the women of this pioneering football team played on during the Football Association's 1921 ban".

Steve Bolton, grandson of Lizzie Ashcroft, who played for St Helens, was at the unveiling and said: “I’m completely overwhelmed today. My granny was looked down on because of her humble origins even within the family but she had a journey in life and was a superstar athlete.

“The beginning and end of her life may not have been brilliant but there was a huge part of the middle where she was a star invited with the team to the Lord Mayor’s office in London and Houses of Parliament and recognised.

“It’s a shame it’s taken 100 years, but how lovely it is now that people will remember what these women did and what they did for women’s and Northern sport because they deserve that recognition.”

Steve Bolton spoke at today's honoured. His grandmother was part of the team (Credit: Bernard Platt)

Steve who is a huge collector of football memorabilia from the past, has also donated six original 1920s football postcards which will be available to purchase at auction with all funds going to St Helens Mobile Food Pantry in memory of his granny Lizzie and his brother who died in January.

He added: “I recently found a letter from my granny’s brother who lived in Preston asking for money to buy food for their mum as they were so hard up.

Steve with football cards at the unveiling (Credit: Bernard Platt)

“We live in a society where not unlike the 1920s people still need help to feed themselves in tough times today.

“So with that in mind I have donated these postcards to be auctioned off which should gather at least £400 for the food pantry to help feed those in need during the current crisis.”

The plaque was unveiled by Mayor of St Helens Jeanette Banks and council leader Cllr Anthony Burns.

Guests in attendance included current members of St Helens Town AFC and former LFC players.

The plaque was unveiled at Queens Park by Mayor of St Helens Jeanette banks and Councillor Anthony Burns (Credit: Bernard Platt)

One of those was Natasha Dowie who said: “It’s been absolutely brilliant being here today. The history of women’s football is inspiring for me and it’s good to praise these women who made way for players like me and others to do what we love.

“These women by this plaque alone, should inspire the next generation of footballers.”

St Helens Ladies FC become the second recipient of the council’s blue plaque scheme, following heroine school mistress Hannah Rosbotham who saved children’s lives after a fire and was recognised in July at Sutton Family Hub, with future plaques open to public nominations.

Football memorabilia was brought along to the event (Credit Bernard Platt)

The St Helens blue plaque scheme is made possible with support from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

To nominate a future blue plaque recipient, please visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/archives