AN AMAZING YEAR OF CELEBRATION AND WORLD FIRST'S FOR
THE DICK, KERR LADIES.
What an incredible year of celebration we had in 2017 to commemorate the success of the Dick, Kerr Ladies in their centenary year. The first Blue Plaque in the world dedicated to a women's football team, was unveiled at the factory where they were formed during the First World War. Still a working factory on a busy main road on Strand Road in Preston, the plaque was unveiled by relatives of two former players from the original team. David Coulton and Valerie Conn, the grandchildren of Grace Sibbert and Alice Kell respectively, performed the unveiling on 18 May 2017 in what was a landmark day in the history of women's football. The first in the world for the best in the world! Click on the links to see how history was made.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-39964354
http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2017/05/a-new-blue-plaque-for-preston-and-its-a-world-first/
The Centenary Dinner - 1 July 2017
The First National Women's Walking Football Tournament - 2 July 2017
When Football Banned Women - Channel 4 Documentary - July 2017
The FA Women's Football Awards - September 2017
http://www.lep.co.uk/news/ladies-get-fa-approval-at-last-1-8745204
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS6xSL4WArA
Memorial Tribute Unveiling at Preston North End - 22 December 2017
https://youtu.be/KrwgRQdwQb0
https://twitter.com/bbclancssport/status/944231399225257984?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eios%7Ctwgr%5Ecom.apple.UIKit.activity.PostToFacebook
To commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War in 2018, the Royal British Legion chose Preston North End's Deepdale ground as one of the venues throughout the country for their campaign to remember all those who contributed to the nation during that period. They recognised the important contribution made by the Dick, Kerr Ladies during such a dreadful time in our history. Please watch the video in the link below for more info. You will see the Dick, Kerr Ladies Memorial included.
https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/ways-to-give/fundraising-appeals/poppy-appeal/
At the North West Football Awards, held in Manchester in 2018, the Dick, Kerr Ladies received a Special Recognition Award for their services to Women's Football in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the end of WW1. They were described as 'one of the most important teams in the history of women's football'. Check out the link below for more info.