In anticipation of the forthcoming UEFA Women’s Nations League match at Wembley, it is timely to reflect on the 50th anniversary of the inaugural international encounter between the women’s football teams of England and the Netherlands. This landmark event holds particular significance as it heralded the dawn of an England Women’s international at a League ground. The match, which took place at Reading’s Elm Park on 9 November 1973, drew a record attendance of 2,015 and culminated in a 1-0 triumph for England.
As preparations for the historic Wembley match unfold, two of the players from the inaugural clash in 1973 have shared their recollections. Wendy Owen of England and Ellen Popeyus of the Netherlands, both participants in the inaugural fixture, reminisced about their pre-match experiences.
Wendy Owen fondly recollects the sense of anticipation and enthusiasm that surrounded the match. She recounted the team’s assembly in London, which included a five-a-side exhibition match at Empire Pool Wembley (now Wembley Arena) and training at Bisham Abbey. The media and supporters flocked to the League ground, marking a significant moment for women’s football in England.
Similarly, Ellen Popeyus reflected on her call-up to the Dutch team at the tender age of 16 and how the overall experience was a blend of apprehension and thrill. She vividly recalled the team’s training sessions and friendly matches, emphasizing the novelty of being part of such a momentous occasion at a young age.
Both players also articulated their thoughts on the significance of playing at a League ground. Wendy remarked on the team’s transition from playing on factory pitches to the grandeur of proper grounds, underscoring the symbolic importance of the occasion. Ellen echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the magnitude of the match in shaping the trajectory of women’s football.
In recollecting the actual match, both players spoke fondly of the camaraderie and sportsmanship that characterized the encounter. They recalled the sizable crowd and their respective roles in the game, cherishing the memories of sharing moments with their opponents both on and off the field.
The players also expressed their enduring pride in being trailblazers for women’s football. Wendy Owen expressed her delight at being acknowledged for her contribution to the sport and the sense of accomplishment that accompanied receiving a legacy cap. Ellen Popeyus, too, recognized the strides that women’s football has made since those early days, conveying her eagerness to witness the further development of the sport.
This monumental occasion provides an opportunity to acknowledge the legacy of women’s football and celebrate the evolution of the sport over the past 50 years. The upcoming match at Wembley serves as a symbolic recognition of the players who laid the groundwork for the thriving women’s football landscape we see today.