The Rise and Fall of Women’s Football in Britain, 1881-1921

Abstract

This paper examines the early history of British women’s football from 1881 to 1921. The history of women’s football during this period has not yet been seriously studied by Korean historians. There are many people who do not even know the existence of women's football at the end of the 19th century. Many people believe that the football is traditionally a ‘men’s sport’ and that women have entered the male realm as women’s social activities have recently expanded. However, women’s football has a history as long as men’s football. Women’s football first appeared in Britain at the end of the 19th century, the dawn of modern football as we know it now, and developed with great popularity until the early 20th century. The early history of women’s football has significance not only for the history of sports but also for women. It is the women’s own efforts to change traditional perceptions of women and to improve the unfair situation that were the main driving force behind the development of women’s football in the 19th century. These efforts appeared even before the emergence of women’s own political struggles which claim to improve women’s social status and rights. A Study on the early history of women’s football will be of help in understanding the process of women forming themselves as modern subjects.(Kyung Hee University)