
'Unsuitable for Females'
The Rise of the Lionesses and Women's Football in England
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $18.12
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Melanie Crawley
-
By:
-
Carrie Dunn
About this listen
'At what feels like a pivotal moment, Carrie's forensic research and depth of knowledge make her the perfect person to guide us through the constantly changing landscape of women's football' - Kelly Cates, TV presenter
England's Lionesses are on the front and back pages; their stars feature on prime-time television; they are named in the national honours lists for their contribution to their sport and to society. The names of Lucy Bronze, Steph Houghton and Ellen White are emblazoned across the backs of children's replica jerseys. These women are top athletes – and top celebrities. But in 1921, the Football Association introduced a ban on women's football, pronouncing the sport 'quite unsuitable for females'.
That ban would last for half a century - but despite official prohibition the women's game went underground. From the Dick, Kerr Ladies touring the world to the Lost Lionesses who played at the unsanctioned Women's World Cup in Mexico in 1971, generations of women defied the restrictions and laid the foundations for today's Lionesses - so much so that in 2018 England's Women's Super League became the first fully professional league in Europe...when just a few decades previously women were forbidden to play the sport in England at all.
This book tells the story of women's football in England since its 19th-century inception through pen portraits of its trailblazers. The game might have once been banned because of its popularity – find out about the subversive women who kept organising their teams and matches despite the prohibition, who broke barriers and set records – the legends of the game who built the foundations of the stage upon which today's stars flourish.
©2022 Carrie Dunn (P)2023 W. F. Howes LtdListeners also enjoyed...
-
Lioness - My Journey to Glory
- By: Beth Mead, Ian Wright - foreword, Jermain Defoe - afterword
- Narrated by: Dipo Ola, Emily Spowage
- Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Beth Mead is one of the world's most talented female footballers - Golden Boot winner and Player of the Tournament at the UEFA Euros 2022, Arsenal Player of the Season 2021-22, and nominee for the 2022 Ballon d'Or. But long before this, Beth was just an ordinary kid from Hinderwell, North Yorkshire who wanted to play football.
-
-
Very inspiring
- By R. Burroughs on 01-17-24
By: Beth Mead, and others
-
A Woman's Game
- The Rise, Fall and Rise Again of Women's Soccer
- By: Suzanne Wrack
- Narrated by: Jennifer Ness
- Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Women's soccer is a game that has often been relegated to the margins in a world fixated on gender differences above passion and talent. It is a game that could attract 50,000 fans to a stadium in the 1920s, was later banned by England's Football Association grounds for being "unsuitable for females," and has emerged as a global force in the modern era with the US Women's National Team leading the charge. A Woman's Game traces this arc of changing attitudes, increasing professionalism, and international growth.
-
-
A good early history of English soccer but lacks everywhere else
- By Shadow007 on 08-30-24
By: Suzanne Wrack
-
My Greatest Save
- The Brave, Barrier-Breaking Journey of a World Champion Goalkeeper
- By: Briana Scurry, Wayne Coffey
- Narrated by: Briana Scurry
- Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A deeply moving and painfully honest memoir from the trailblazing World Cup-winning, Olympic gold medalist, and US Women’s soccer goalie Briana Scurry, My Greatest Save is a story of triumph, tragedy, and redemption from a woman who has broken through barriers her entire life.
-
-
A true Olympian
- By Caitlin Fry on 08-02-22
By: Briana Scurry, and others
-
The Sisterhood
- The 99ers and the Rise of U.S. Women's Soccer
- By: Rob Goldman
- Narrated by: Gina Rogers
- Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For legions of soccer fans, the players on the US Women's National Soccer Team are the game's standard-bearers. Together their accomplishments include four World Cup titles and four Olympic gold medals. Within five years of their inaugural match in 1985, the team was the best women's soccer team on the planet. But its rise was neither easy nor harmonious. They faced discrimination and unequal treatment, most notably from their governing bodies, FIFA and U.S. Soccer.
-
-
The history of the national women’s team until 1999
- By Shadow007 on 10-08-24
By: Rob Goldman
-
One Life
- By: Megan Rapinoe, Emma Brockes
- Narrated by: Megan Rapinoe
- Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Megan Rapinoe, Olympic gold medalist and two-time Women's World Cup champion, reveals for the first time her life both on and off the field. Guided by her personal journey into social justice, brimming with humor, humanity, and joy, she urges all of us to ask ourselves, What will you do with your one life?
-
-
inspiring autobiography
- By Christine Nunez on 11-18-20
By: Megan Rapinoe, and others
-
Showboat
- The Life of Kobe Bryant
- By: Roland Lazenby
- Narrated by: Ron Butler
- Length: 21 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The definitive portrait of Kobe Bryant, from the author of Michael Jordan. Eighteen-time All-Star, scorer of 81 points in a single game, MVP, and one of the best shooting guards in NBA league history: Kobe Bryant is among basketball's absolute greatest players, and his importance to the sport is undeniable. Third on the NBA career scoring list and owner of five championship rings, he is an undisputed all-time great, one deserving of this deep and definitive biography.
-
-
KOBE BEAN BRYANT
- By Allaeldien Abdelrahman on 12-14-18
By: Roland Lazenby
-
Lioness - My Journey to Glory
- By: Beth Mead, Ian Wright - foreword, Jermain Defoe - afterword
- Narrated by: Dipo Ola, Emily Spowage
- Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Beth Mead is one of the world's most talented female footballers - Golden Boot winner and Player of the Tournament at the UEFA Euros 2022, Arsenal Player of the Season 2021-22, and nominee for the 2022 Ballon d'Or. But long before this, Beth was just an ordinary kid from Hinderwell, North Yorkshire who wanted to play football.
-
-
Very inspiring
- By R. Burroughs on 01-17-24
By: Beth Mead, and others
-
A Woman's Game
- The Rise, Fall and Rise Again of Women's Soccer
- By: Suzanne Wrack
- Narrated by: Jennifer Ness
- Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Women's soccer is a game that has often been relegated to the margins in a world fixated on gender differences above passion and talent. It is a game that could attract 50,000 fans to a stadium in the 1920s, was later banned by England's Football Association grounds for being "unsuitable for females," and has emerged as a global force in the modern era with the US Women's National Team leading the charge. A Woman's Game traces this arc of changing attitudes, increasing professionalism, and international growth.
-
-
A good early history of English soccer but lacks everywhere else
- By Shadow007 on 08-30-24
By: Suzanne Wrack
-
My Greatest Save
- The Brave, Barrier-Breaking Journey of a World Champion Goalkeeper
- By: Briana Scurry, Wayne Coffey
- Narrated by: Briana Scurry
- Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A deeply moving and painfully honest memoir from the trailblazing World Cup-winning, Olympic gold medalist, and US Women’s soccer goalie Briana Scurry, My Greatest Save is a story of triumph, tragedy, and redemption from a woman who has broken through barriers her entire life.
-
-
A true Olympian
- By Caitlin Fry on 08-02-22
By: Briana Scurry, and others
-
The Sisterhood
- The 99ers and the Rise of U.S. Women's Soccer
- By: Rob Goldman
- Narrated by: Gina Rogers
- Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For legions of soccer fans, the players on the US Women's National Soccer Team are the game's standard-bearers. Together their accomplishments include four World Cup titles and four Olympic gold medals. Within five years of their inaugural match in 1985, the team was the best women's soccer team on the planet. But its rise was neither easy nor harmonious. They faced discrimination and unequal treatment, most notably from their governing bodies, FIFA and U.S. Soccer.
-
-
The history of the national women’s team until 1999
- By Shadow007 on 10-08-24
By: Rob Goldman
-
One Life
- By: Megan Rapinoe, Emma Brockes
- Narrated by: Megan Rapinoe
- Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Megan Rapinoe, Olympic gold medalist and two-time Women's World Cup champion, reveals for the first time her life both on and off the field. Guided by her personal journey into social justice, brimming with humor, humanity, and joy, she urges all of us to ask ourselves, What will you do with your one life?
-
-
inspiring autobiography
- By Christine Nunez on 11-18-20
By: Megan Rapinoe, and others
-
Showboat
- The Life of Kobe Bryant
- By: Roland Lazenby
- Narrated by: Ron Butler
- Length: 21 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The definitive portrait of Kobe Bryant, from the author of Michael Jordan. Eighteen-time All-Star, scorer of 81 points in a single game, MVP, and one of the best shooting guards in NBA league history: Kobe Bryant is among basketball's absolute greatest players, and his importance to the sport is undeniable. Third on the NBA career scoring list and owner of five championship rings, he is an undisputed all-time great, one deserving of this deep and definitive biography.
-
-
KOBE BEAN BRYANT
- By Allaeldien Abdelrahman on 12-14-18
By: Roland Lazenby
-
The Russian Five
- A Story of Espionage, Defection, Bribery and Courage
- By: Keith Gave
- Narrated by: Bob Brill
- Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When the Detroit Red Wings were rebooting their franchise after more than two decades of relative futility, they knew the best place to find world-class players who could turn things around more quickly were conscripted servants behind the Iron Curtain. All they had to do to get them was make history by drafting them and then figure out how to get them out of the Soviet Union.
-
-
Very interesting
- By Kandace on 04-23-21
By: Keith Gave
-
No Excuses
- The Making of a Head Coach
- By: Bob Stoops, Gene Wojciechowski
- Narrated by: Bob Stoops
- Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Stoops's journey from player to struggling graduate assistant to legendary head coach, it becomes clear that his dedication to football is about far more than the sport itself. Big Game Bob, as he is known by adorning Sooners, made a name for himself not only by rebuilding the OU football program and leading the team to multiple conference championships but also by adhering to a strong set of principles at a time when corruption was rampant across the NCAA.
-
-
What a Story!
- By Teacher 4832 on 05-07-20
By: Bob Stoops, and others
-
And It Was Beautiful
- Marcelo Bielsa and the Rebirth of Leeds United
- By: Phil Hay
- Narrated by: Phil Hay, Ralph Ineson
- Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On 27th February 2022, after 170 matches in charge, promotion to the Premier League and some of the most exhilarating football the English game has ever seen, Leeds United parted company with their most beloved and successful manager in a generation: Marcelo Bielsa. His parting gift was to embrace the crowds of adoring fans who turned up to say thank you as he left the club's training ground for the final time.
-
-
Exceptional! Great book that shares the spell of Marcelo Bielsa as manager or Leeds United
- By Amazon Customer on 01-26-24
By: Phil Hay
-
All In
- An Autobiography
- By: Billie Jean King, Johnette Howard, Maryanne Vollers
- Narrated by: Billie Jean King
- Length: 18 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this spirited account, Billie Jean King details her life's journey to find her true self. She recounts her groundbreaking tennis career - six years as the top-ranked woman in the world, 20 Wimbledon championships, 39 grand-slam titles, and her watershed defeat of Bobby Riggs in the famous "Battle of the Sexes". She poignantly recalls the cultural backdrop of those years and the profound impact on her worldview from the women's movement, the assassinations and anti-war protests of the 1960s, the civil rights movement, and, eventually, the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
-
-
Wonderful Book
- By glass1748 on 08-25-21
By: Billie Jean King, and others
-
Straight 8
- The Autobiography
- By: Kieran Read
- Narrated by: Toby Webster
- Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Forthright and frank, Read's well-respected views on the game and its future are a must-listen for rugby fans, and his take on the myriad personalities and the peccadilloes of his teammates, coaches and opponents will be sure to surprise and delight. From the playing fields of Papakura to the summit of the sport, Read has faced every challenge head on. His life story is no exception.
-
-
Favorite No8
- By Johanna Karlsson on 03-10-23
By: Kieran Read
-
Son of Bum
- Lessons My Dad Taught Me About Football and Life
- By: Vic Carucci, Wade Phillips
- Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin, Wade Phillips
- Length: 4 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In his memoir Son of Bum, decorated NFL coach Wade Phillips shows that the roots of his knowledge come from his father, Bum Phillips. A beloved character in NFL history, Bum taught Wade from the beginning that "coaching isn't bitching", as well as how to have perspective on the game during tough times. These are lessons that apply both on the field and off, and Wade has passed this wisdom down to his son, Wes Phillips, an NFL coach himself.
-
-
A Must For Anyone Who Is A Football Fan
- By Amazon Customer on 03-24-20
By: Vic Carucci, and others
-
Believe Us
- How Jürgen Klopp transformed Liverpool into title winners
- By: Melissa Reddy
- Narrated by: Julie Maisey
- Length: 6 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Liverpool Football Club’s stunning 2020 Premier League title victory deserves a place in the official record of great sporting achievements. The Reds became the first team in British history to hold the European Cup, Super Cup, World Club Cup and domestic league title simultaneously in a masterclass of free-scoring, full throttle footballing prowess.
-
-
Overly glowing and redundant
- By MDBVT on 09-10-23
By: Melissa Reddy
-
Nicklas Lidstrom
- The Pursuit of Perfection
- By: Niklas Lidstrom, Gunnar Nordstrom - with, Bob Duff - with
- Narrated by: Barry Abrams
- Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The life and career of Nicklas Lidstrom almost reads like a real-life hockey fairy tale. Drafted by the Detroit Red Wings as a 19-year-old defenseman out of his native Sweden, Lidstrom spent the next two decades manning the Motor City blueline. During those years he became a Hockeytown legend, amassing a mind-boggling collection of accomplishments and accolades: four Stanley Cups, seven Norris Trophies as the NHL's best defenseman, a Conn Smythe Trophy, 12 All-Star selections, and gold medals in both the Olympics and World Championships.
-
-
one of the best wings
- By JANE L HAGAN on 05-16-23
By: Niklas Lidstrom, and others
-
Playing the Long Game
- A Memoir
- By: Christine Sinclair, Stephen Brunt - contributor
- Narrated by: Rachel Cairns
- Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For the first time in depth and in public, Olympic soccer gold-medalist Christine Sinclair, the top international goal scorer of all time and one of Canada's greatest athletes, reflects on both her exhilarating successes and her heartbreaking failures. Playing the Long Game is a book of earned wisdom on the value of determination and team spirit, and on leadership that changed the landscape of women's sport.
-
-
Excellent book, great narration.
- By Margaret Snow on 03-24-24
By: Christine Sinclair, and others
-
Alex Ferguson:
- My Autobiography
- By: Alex Ferguson
- Narrated by: James Macpherson, Alex Ferguson
- Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Revised and updated with new material from the paperback edition. Includes a prelude read by Sir Alex Ferguson. Sir Alex Ferguson's compelling story is always honest and revealing he reflects on his managerial career that embraced unprecedented European success for Aberdeen and 26 triumphant seasons with Manchester United.
-
-
Solid, if a little egotistical
- By J. MacDonald on 11-19-13
By: Alex Ferguson
-
Michael Owen Reboot
- My Life
- By: Michael Owen
- Narrated by: Robin Morrissey, Michael Owen
- Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Michael Owen's new autobiography will enable him to open up about his football life for the first time and set the record straight once and for all. It promises to make for an explosive listen and one of the most hotly anticipated football books of the year. The legendary striker published his first book, Off the Record, in 2004 but feels he didn't have a voice during his playing days, and now, six years after hanging up his boots, he can finally lift the lid on what really happened during his career.
-
-
I was sad when the book ended...
- By Vintila Bogdan on 10-20-19
By: Michael Owen
-
The Barcelona Complex
- Lionel Messi and the Making—and Unmaking—of the World's Greatest Soccer Club
- By: Simon Kuper
- Narrated by: Steve West
- Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
FC Barcelona is not just the world’s highest grossing sports club, it is simply one of the most influential organizations on the planet. At last count, it had approximately 214 million social media followers, more than any other sports club except Real Madrid CF—and by one earlier measure, more than all 32 NFL teams combined. It has more in common with multinational megacompanies like Netflix or small nation-states than it does with most soccer teams. Journalist Simon Kuper tells the story of how FC Barcelona became the most successful club in the world.
-
-
Fantastic book for the serious soccer fan
- By Steve Adams on 04-01-23
By: Simon Kuper