Ladies Football in Coventry

That article covers the emergence of the factory teams during and after WW1 which led to the prohibition of women's teams playing on League grounds. However, it is by no means a comprehensive history of women's football in Coventry. During the 1970s we saw the era of Coventry's most successful team in competitive terms, Coventry Bantams. They were in the Heart of England League as there were no national leagues for women then, and played their home matches at Coventry Sporting in Kirby Corner Road. They were certainly the strongest team in the Midlands for several years and reached the semi-final of the Women's FA Cup on one occasion. They had international players in their line-up too, and regularly beat the teams from Aston Villa, Birmingham City etc. Although I was involved with the team at that time, it would seem that there may not be much archive material if nobody kept records. I suspect that the best source may be the Coventry Evening Telegraphs of the time. Or of course from the players themselves. Certainly no account would be complete without it. I am aware that Bantams were not the only women's team in Coventry at that time but they were the most successful.

Hello Mister D-Di The article was never intended to be a comprehensive history of women's football in Coventry.

I realise that. What I am saying is that the team of the 70s had considerable success and was certainly in the top 10 teams in the country. I have some great memories of being involved back in the day, and I'm sure the players did too. They will all be in their 50s/60s now. Despite the success, it seems that nobody has kept any records of even the basics such as fixtures, results and scorers which is a great pity. The leagues and even the WFA are long defunct too so it would seem that the records are lost forever. Even the CET was reluctant to publish much in the way of match reports as I recall. I fear the chances of a comprehensive history ever being established are very remote.

I would be amazed if the Telegraph kept any sort of records. Due to your involvement in the 1970's you may consider contributing to a documentary which is being prepared by Metal Dog Media of Far Gosford Street. This will cover the emergence of the WW1 munition workers teams, formation of Coventry City Ladies F.C. in 1921, and women's football played in Coventry thereafter. If you are interested then please contact: Fran Porter email: franporter@me.com Please mention my name. This would be a great opportunity for you to record the knowledge you have for posterity as I believe very little would have been recorded in our local newspaper.

Thanks for that. I will drop them an email in the next few days.

Can anyone help? I am researching the formation of Coventry City Ladies Football Club in 1921. The club was formed by a gentleman named P. Johnson. I have no other information on him. I know its not much to go on but I have to try. I have checked the Coventry Directories for 1919/1920 and 1920/1921 at the Herbert History Centre. The following P. Johnson's were listed: Percy Harold Johnson born 12/5/1906, married Rose Ellen Johnson in 1930 Southwark London. He would have been aged 15 in 1921 so I believe it will not be him. Percy Albert Johnson born 1914 in Dudley. He would have been aged 7 in 1921 so it is definitely not him. PROBABLES: Percy Herbert Johnson born 1880 in Aston, married Ellen May M. Bates in Coventry in 1909. A daughter Phyllis E. Johnson was born in Coventry in 1913. The family lived at 10 Gordon Street, Spon End, Coventry. Possible marriages for Phyllis E, Johnson: to James H. Meek 1932 Birmingham South to George H. Pitkin 1939 Birmingham Percy H. Johnson died Coventry 1939 aged 59. Ellen May M. Johnson died Warwick 1959 aged 77 Percy John Beardmore Johnson born 1881 Cheadle, Staffordshire, married Minnie Mosley 1912 Cheadle, no children? They lived at 107 Oliver Street, Foleshill, Coventry Percy died in 1943 in Cheadle. Minnie died in 1966 in Coventry. Any of this familiar to anyone?

All of those possibles have the same Christian name: Percy. Is that just a coincidence?

Hi ChrisC Yes it is pure co-incidence. Frederick Selman, the chairman of Coventry City Ladies F.C lived in Foleshill. There was a Foleshill Ladies F.C. and I wondered if that team provided the basis of the Coventry club, as there is no mention of a Foleshill Ladies team thereafter, to my knowledge. Selman was employed at the old A.L.Dunns works on Foleshill Road. Also Percy John Beardmore Johnson lived at 107 Over Street which is close to Foleshill. May all be co-incidence but I am not sure at all.

This is an appeal for information regarding Coventry Bantams Ladies F.C. which was formed around 1967. I have contacted Margaret Crabtree, a former player, who has provided a superb colour team photograph taken at Ansley Common prior to a match. She started playing in 1967. I am grateful to Mr. D Di for advising the club played in the Heart of England League during the 1970's and actually reached the Woman's F.A. CUP SEMI-FINAL on one occasion. Can you add any more information Mr. D Di? The first women's football match to take place in Coventry was an exhibition game in 1895 at Stoke Road, the old Singer's Ground. The female game was pioneered in Coventry by the courageous women munition workers producing armaments during World War One. After the war many of those women remained playing which eventually led to the formation of Coventry City Ladies F.C. in 1921. The England Women's Football Association was formed in December of that year as a direct result of the Football Association introducing their disgraceful ban on women's football at League grounds. Sadly this organisation was short-lived as it disbanded in 1922, as did the CCLFC team. Coventry Bantams Ladies F.C. re-introduced the ladies game to our city. Currently, the very successful Coventry United Ladies F.C. carry the torch at a very high level in the Southern Premier League and strive to achieve Super League status. I am attempting to record a comprehensive history of women's football in Coventry. I am particularly interested in information post WW2. Please, can anyone help? LIONEL BIRD COVENTRY UNITED LFC HISTORIAN

I was involved with Coventry Bantams for a few years in the 70s and refereed many of their games. I knew many of the players and coaches around that time, although I have no formal records of matches. Perhaps if you send me a PM through the site and let me know what sort of information you are looking for, I will try to help as much as possible. I'm aware that there is very little on the internet about the team as they had folded before we had such facilities. There was often a match report in the CET back in the day but that is very time consuming, of course.

Thanks for responding Mr D Di Where did they play their home games in Coventry? Did they play at other Coventry locations? Did you referee them outside of Coventry? Can you remember the names of some of the teams they played? What League did they play in/ Was this the only women's league in Coventry/Warwickshire? Can you remember when they disbanded? Answers to these questions would be very helpful. Thanks.

I've sent you a message.

BERNARD BOYLAND I am trying to make contact with Bernard Boyland who was manager of Coventry Bantams Ladies Football Club in the early 1970's. I believe he may be in the Bulkington area. I am researching the history of ladies football in Coventry. Please can anyone help? Many thanks Lionel Bird.

He appears to be on Facebook - try that (don't know how it works, though )