Gail Newsham has spent almost three decades telling the story of the Dick, Kerr Ladies - arguably the most important team in the history of women's football. Gail is the author of ‘In A League of The Own!’ the authoritative book about the famous team and the history of women’s football. 

Growing up near the factory in Preston where the team was originally formed, Gail was aware of their existence, but knew nothing much about them until she organised their first ever reunion in 1992. Her comprehensive research, which unearthed much information that would have been lost forever, included meeting some of the actual women who played before the FA Ban.

It was Gail’s work that that lead to Lily Parr becoming the first female player to be inducted in the National Football Museum Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2017 the team received a Special Recognition Award from the FA and in 2018 the Dick, Kerr Ladies were recognised by the Royal British Legion for their contribution during the First World War.

As a former footballer herself, with a career spanning almost twenty years, Gail began playing in the early 1970s and eventually signed for Preston Rangers WFC, playing in two Women's FA Cup semi-finals.

In 2019, she was made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Central Lancashire in recognition of her extraordinary work.

Thank you to Barclays for sponsoring this series of the podcast.

Abbie Ward. A Bump in the Road  a powerful documentary, chronicles the remarkable journey of an England rugby player as she battles back to the professional game just 17 weeks after the birth of her baby in July 2023 and then to secure her place back in England’s Six Nations squad for 2024. 

Watch now
UK on ITVX: https://www.itv.com/watch/abbie-ward-a-bump-in-the-road/10a5679a0001B
Worldwide on RugbyPass TV: https://rugbypass.tv/video/6069

Thank you to Sport England who support The Game Changers Podcast with a National Lottery award.

Find out more about The Game Changers podcast here: https://www.fearlesswomen.co.uk/thegamechangers

Hosted by Sue Anstiss
Produced by Sam Walker, What Goes On Media

A Fearless Women production