A Century in the Making: Flying the Flag for the Women Who Played Anyway
Written by Adeline Raebel
From Mrs Graham's starting XI inciting riots off the field to Blackburn Rovers F.C. being withdrawn from the WSL 2, women in sport are continuing to face resistance in the UK. What the United Kingdom fails to recognise is that the women’s game isn’t just a game, it’s a movement. It’s about belonging fully, equally, and entirely on our own terms.
“Football is unsuitable for women,” is a narrative we are still actively working to dispel. Whether this means women can't be a coach, hold a powerful position, or simply just play the game they love, this outdated mindset continues to undermine the progress and passion of countless talented women.
For decades, women have had to fight for resources and equity in a sport that refuses to see them as equals. Yet, despite systemic barriers and societal doubt, women in the UK continue to rise, breaking records, shattering stereotypes, and proving that football has never belonged to just one gender.
Carrie Dunn, a prominent freelance journalist and leading voice in women’s football, launched her seventh book, Flying the Flag, during a panel event on Wednesday, 28 May. The book highlights the untold stories of trailblazing women who helped paved the way for today’s stars and how women have fought to keep themselves in the game.
Dunn continues to show that there is no single narrative you can put on women in sport, but rather a diverse range of stories, experiences, and strengths that challenge outdated stereotypes and redefine what it means to be a female athlete in the UK.
Dunn reflects on the experience of writing these untold stories, emphasising that if she could change one thing, it would be the persistent narrative that women’s sport is somehow ‘less than.’
“People automatically give respect to any men’s sport, regardless of the level, regardless of the quality, men playing sport have respect. I would like all women in the sporting space, whether it’s players, coaches, sports scientists or journalists to have that same respect. That’s the narrative I would change,” Dunn said.
The panel brought Dunn’s call for equal respect to life through lived experience and diverse perspectives. Each panellist came from a different background, with distinct stories, challenges and triumphs, but that’s exactly why they were there. Their presence underscored the very point Dunn makes: that there’s no single mould or narrative for women in sport.
Alongside Carrie Dunn, the panel featured Charlotte Lynch, Steph Fairbairn, Laura Howard and Jawahir Roble. As they each shared their story and experiences within the sport, one thing was clear: it was never about money or fame, it was about an authentic love for the game.
Jawahir Roble, Britain's first registered female Muslim referee, shared how her love for the game continued to pave the way for her career.
“My parents didn’t even know I was a referee until they saw me in a newspaper. They thought I was crazy for wanting to play. In Somalia, football wasn’t something women could do, let alone make a career out of,” Roble said.
After being supported by a female leader at her club, she took a free referee course and never looked back. JJ fell in love with the game from a different viewpoint and made it her mission to help other black and brown girls believe that the game belongs to them too.
“I loved the game, and if I wasn’t going to play, I was still going to do something to help benefit the game,” Roble said.
JJ continues to fight against the cultural bias faced by Black, Asian, and mixed-heritage girls. In 2019, JJ was recognised as one of the BBC’s 100 Women of 2019 and in 2023 she received an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list.
JJ’s story is just one example of the compassion women bring to the game. Journalists like Laura Howard are brave enough to honour the legacy of the women who came before them, carrying that mantle with confidence and conviction.
Coaches like Steph Fairbairn continue to shape the future of the sport by mentoring young athletes, and proving you can do anything you want within football.
Charlotte Lynch continues to create exciting content for young girls and athletes, inspiring them about the future of the game. She listens with intention and treats the lived experiences of others with respect, using their stories to shape a more inclusive and empowering narrative.
Together, these women are not only making space in the game, but changing it for the better.
It was never about compensation or being famous, it was the love of the game that drove these women forward. Each woman, whether famous or not, continues to share their story and inspire others. Their diverse experiences show there is no single mould for what it means to be a woman in sport, only a collective strength that continues to redefine the game and inspire future generations. There is no one way to be a woman; there is only the power of women being exactly who they are.