England’s list of influential football figures is simply too long to list off, but everyone knows their Charltons, Moores, Linekars, Beckhams, so on and so forth. But one rather unsung footballing icon, whose achievements range from being the first woman to win the FAW Senior Coaching award to being Accrington’s torch bearer at the 2012 London Olympics, is Anne Ellwood, a forerunner in overcoming sexism within the industry and an advocate for the recognition of women’s football at both local and national levels. In fact, forget lists of famous footballers, Anne’s list of achievements, roles, and responsibilities is also too long to list off; the list of people she’s inspired even longer.

A leading light in women’s football

Anne’s footballing journey began in the mid-1960s. She recalls how, at age seven, she was inspired by things like the Olympics, “watching and wanting to win medals.” Socially, girls playing football was not really accepted, with few opportunities and many barriers for girls wanting to get out onto the field. “I just wanted to have respect as a Sportswoman,” she says, “everybody at school and within the community knew I wanted to play. On occasions people tried to help, organising girl’s matches or sometimes letting me play with the men, but the opportunity to play for a team just wasn’t there.”

IN FAIRNESS, I OWE MY LIFE TO SPORT

While she did form a team with her friends, the ‘Whalley Wanderers’, it wouldn’t be until age 18 when she was given an opportunity to play at top level. “Playing at Preston North End alongside England’s Sheila Parker, very much a sporting hero of mine, was my first ‘big break’. Though I was more of an outfield player, I was in the goals, but I wouldn’t have changed it.”

“The journey continued when I was transferred to Yorkshire’s Bronte Ladies. Here I won many medals, including becoming league champions and playing in the FA Cup Quarter Finals.”

Her medal-winning ambitions might have been achieved, but Anne was only just getting started. A realisation mid-playing career that there was little support or encouragement for women in football inspired Anne to get involved, organising and advertising sessions for girls in the North West Region to give local girls the opportunity to engage with football. She earned her FA Coaching Level 2 in 1979, and was the first woman in the North West to achieve this. Then in 1983 became the first woman in history to attend the FA Full Professional Coaching Licence Course and made history having gained the FAW Senior Coach Licence in 1989.

Anne also openly discussed the commonplace prejudice against women in sport, how it was seen that women shouldn’t be involved in ‘the man’s game’ and how this very often affected her own opportunities, even though she had more than demonstrated her talent. On one occasion she was prevented from refereeing a local league due to one person not wanting a woman to referee, on another she was denied the opportunity to manage at a professional club (Workington FC).

“Those experiences were eye opening,” she explains, “in demonstrating the lack of opportunities for women in the sport and highlighting the barriers that existed in that era.” Though to Anne’s credit, she didn’t let those barriers stop her involvement in the game. “Thankfully attitudes are changing for girls today. I’m glad to say the opportunities for women in the game nowadays are vastly different, I mean just look at the Lionesses.”

In 1989, Anne was employed as Sports Development Officer at Blackburn with Darwen Council, a role which allowed her to focus on sport and healthy lifestyles, and further develop women’s football. “From here I was able to raise the profile of the women’s game, including setting up the Darwen Girls Football Tournament and establishing the first ever female team in Blackburn, Blackburn Rangers.”

And of course, Anne’s influence doesn’t end there. Connections with Burnley FC, as a lifelong fan, meant that Anne began to help out at weekly Junior Clarets sessions.

ON ONE OCCASION SHE WAS PREVENTED FROM REFEREEING A LOCAL LEAGUE DUE TO ONE PERSON NOT WANTING A WOMAN TO REFEREE

“They were great times. We’d have at least 40 or 50 children at each session. I’m proud to say one of the youngsters attending at under 10s went on to play professionally for Burnley. You could really see his talent as a junior.” These sessions enabled Anne and others to set up Junior Clarets teams, with Anne’s team winning the Accrington Boys League, under 15s. Her championing of women’s football within the community continued at Burnley too, Anne being a founding member of their Ladies’ Team.

“I only got busier,” she laughs, “I was heavily involved in working with the FA on promoting the UEFA Women’s Euros in 2005. I also established the Race for Life Cancer Research UK event in Blackburn in 1997, and it’s now 20 years since being a volunteer at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games.”

“In fairness, I owe my life to sport.” As a teenager, on a school trip to Austria, Anne was taken seriously ill with a life-threatening illness. “I was told it was my good fitness levels, thanks to playing football, that got me through.”

After carrying the torch in women’s football for so many years, it seemed only right for Anne to carry a new torch, this time one more literal. “I was extremely honoured to carry the Olympic Torch in Accrington. I was nominated by my daughter Rebecca for my work within the game for over 40 years and it’s most certainly the biggest medal I’ve won! I will never forget that day on June 23 2012.”

“I am so grateful for the career I’ve had in the game and will always preach the values of playing sport at whatever level. I’m so humbled when I meet up with women who I had the pleasure of coaching as youngsters, I’m often embarrassed when they have called me a hero and said how me being a female footballer inspired them. There are many achievements I’ve had but playing my part in developing the game and helping to break barriers has to be one of my proudest.”

Anne is currently Chair of Accrington Stanley Community Trust and has established the Accrington Stanley Women’s FC. Now having stepped down, is devoting time as a member of the Lancashire FAs advisory board, sharing the experience and knowledge in the development of girls and women’s football.

Last September Anne was picked to play for Wales in the over 60s women’s walking football team. It seems as though Anne has conquered almost everything, from life-threatening illness in Austria to prejudice from men within the industry. With the support of her husband Carl, her two daughters, Sarah and Rebecca, and her community, Anne has risen from the close-knit village of Whalley to being a national pioneer for the recognition of women’s sport. Her achievements as an organiser, overseer, volunteer, manager, secretary, chairman, player and even kit washer perhaps speak most to how barriers, no matter how persistent, can never overcome sheer passion and devotion.

NorthernLife Mar/Apr 23