ABOUT ME
About Me
About Me
Hello, my name is Gail Newsham, welcome to my website where you will find the most accurate and factual information regarding the Dick, Kerr Ladies, who are arguably the most important team in the history of women's football, and this is my tribute to them. It has taken some considerable time, but appreciation for this long forgotten football team is finally coming to fruition. In 2017, their centenary year, they received a Special Recognition Award from the FA. In 2018 they were recognised by the Royal British Legion for their contribution during the First World War, and also at the North West Football Awards the same year, finally getting the long overdue recognition from the football establishemt they so richly deserve.
I grew up near the factory in Preston where the team was originally formed. From an early age, I was aware of their existence, but knew nothing much about them until I organised their first ever reunion in 1992. I was amazed at how such an enormous piece of history had been buried and forgotten for so long, and realised that something needed to be done to save their incredible success story before it was too late and lost forever. I spent two years doing my initial research, discovering everything I possibly could about the team and meeting many players from different era's who all told me their stories, shared tales of their team-mates who were no longer with us, and I met ladies who actually played before the FA Ban, thus allowing me the unique opportunity of being able to tell their story directly from them. I am so proud to be the first person to come along and show an interest, and to now be able to call these women my extended family. They helped me piece together a complete history, which was exclusively revealed to the world for the very first time when my book, In A League of Their Own!, was first published in 1994. It was my work that lead to Lily Parr becoming the first female player to be inducted in the National Football Museum Hall of Fame in 2002.
As a former football player myself, with a career spanning almost twenty years, I began playing in the early 1970s and eventually signed for Preston Rangers WFC, playing in two Women's FA Cup semi-finals and enjoying success with them in the North West Women's Football League. For many years I was also an officer on the League Management Committee and worked hard to promote the game. In 1986 I was responsible for setting up The Lancashire Trophy, an International Women's Football Tournament, attracting teams from across Europe to visit the north west of England. During it's life-time, we had teams from Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Eire, Scotland and England, all competing at this much loved tournament, and it was at the Lancashire Trophy in August 1992, that the Dick, Kerr Ladies were re-united for the first time in almost forty years.
For almost three decades since then, I have continued my efforts to get recognition for the team in an effort to bring their glittering history to a wider audience. In 2019, I was made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Central Lancashire in recognition of my work.
You can read so much more about the Dick, Kerr Ladies in my book, In a League of Their Own!
New revised available now. More world exclusives revealed.
Gail Newsham has uncovered the spirit and rare soccer talent which made the Dick, Kerr Ladies the best in the world. Preston Citizen 1994
A story of unparalleled sporting achievement, a struggle against prejudice and financial skulduggery and is a story that, until now, had never been told. Evening Gazette 1994
"Can I tell Gail Newsham through your newspaper how I have thoroughly enjoyed reading her book. The late Florrie Redford was my aunt and how proud she would have been to know that the team would in some small way be part of the history of Preston". Mrs J Shaw, Lancs Evening Post 1994
I recently read your very excellent book. I own around 700 football books and I feel your book is one of the best I have ever read! Brian Ellis BSc, Bedfordshire County Councillor 1995
The Dick, Kerr Ladies were a truly remarkable group of women and they are now given the exposure they so rightly deserve in this poignant book, excellently written by Gail Newsham with an obvious passion for the game. Diva Magazine 1997
The book successfully achieves two things, firstly it documents dates, fixtures, players and scores, putting the women's game on record and secondly it tells a real story about real people who have sadly now passed away or are approaching old age. It is a very fascinating account, easy to read and worth buying. On the Ball magazine 1997
This book is brimming with candidates for a true soccer Hall of Fame. Jane Hoffen, MOTD magazine 1997
PREVIOUS SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:
Emanuel College, Cambridge University 1998
Burnley Women's Refuge 2001
National Football Museum 2003: "Your talk was absolutely outstanding, hugely entertaining, highly informative and very moving." Kevin Moore, Museum Director
Lowry Conference Centre - 2003 NHS Conference
University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) 2004: "Thank you for your splendid contribution to our conference. The evaluation has been very high with particular reference to the calibre of the speakers." Malcolm Rae - Alison Hitchen
University of Manchester - UMIST 2004
National Football Museum/Fulwood Methodist Church 2005: "Everyone I have spoken to was expressing praise for your passion, humour and talent as a speaker." M Rae OBE FRCN
UCLan: 2005 1st Women's Football Conference
UCLan: 2005 1st Women's Football Conference
UCLan: Mitchell and Kenyon Cinema: 2008 "Gail's presentation was informative, entertaining and comprehensive and delivered to a very high standard of professionalism."
The Women's Institute - Lancashire Federations. "Gail's enthusiasm was so obvious throughout her presentation that everyone felt as if they had met the players!" 2009 "Very interesting and moving. One of the best talks we have had in ages!" 2010-2012. Ansdell WI - "We have have many really good presentations, but I can honestly say that I've never heard the applause go on for so long. Such an inspirational story." Burnley U3A - "One of the best speakers we have had" 2018
TELEVISION AND RADIO APPEARANCES:
First Sex Documentary, Channel 4, 1994
Up Front, Granada TV 1997
Woman's Hour - BBC Radio 4, 1997
Hairnets to Goalnets - BBC Radio 4
Gloria Huniford's Open House - Channel 5: "Gloria was delighted that you agreed to join her on the show and sends a personal thank you. Thank you for your sterling contribution to our programme and giving 'Open House' the benefit of your experience and professionalism".
Revealing Secrets - Channel 4 2001
Nation on Film - BBC 2 2007
ABC Radio National, Australia: 2009
The One Show - BBC 1 2011 with Gabby Logan- "The interview you gave was lovely. We could not have made the film without all your knowledge and support". Kate Thomas, Producer/Director
Sport and the British - BBC Radio 4 2012
NHK Cosmomedia - Japan 2014
NRK Norway - 2014
Granada TV WW1 Homefront - 2014
BBC Radio Lancashire WW1 - 2014
Antiques Road Trip with Christina Trevenion, BBC 1 - 2015
Suffragettes Forever BBC 2 with Amanda Vickery - 2015
Football - A Brief History with Alfie Allen - 2017
Liverpool FC Women - AVON Big Reveal 2017, You can view the video below.
When Football Banned Women, Channel 4, with Clare Balding - 2017
Great British Railway Journeys, BBC 2, with Michael Portillo - 2019
Women in Football Documentary - 2019, You can view the video below.
North West Tonight BBC 1 with Jayne McCubbin - 2019
Back in Time for School BBC 2 - 2019
Fearless Women Podcast with Sue Anstiss MBE 2020
Womans Hour Radio 4 with Jane Garvey - 2020
Football Focus BBC 1 - 2021