In a year when women's football continues to break records and shatter expectations, Carrie Dunn's "Flying the Flag" arrives at a pivotal moment. Following her acclaimed works "Unsuitable for Females" and "Woman Up", Dunn once again proves why the Evening Standard has dubbed her one of Britain's most prolific writers on women's football.
This compelling narrative takes us back to 1921, when the Football Association's notorious ban on women's football could have spelled the end of the sport for female players. But instead of accepting defeat, an extraordinary group of women chose defiance. These pioneering players, whose names have largely been lost to history, made the radical decision to leave everything behind—their jobs, families, and homeland—to pursue their passion professionally abroad.
What makes "Flying the Flag" particularly poignant is its timing. Today's stars like Mary Earps and Lucy Bronze stand on the shoulders of these forgotten giants. Dunn masterfully weaves together the past and present, showing how the dreams of those early pioneers echo in the achievements of modern players.
The book's strength lies in its intimate portrayal of these trailblazers. Through meticulous research and personal accounts, Dunn brings to life the raw courage it took to defy the FA's 1921 ruling that football was "quite unsuitable for females". These women didn't just play football—they fought for their right to play, often at great personal cost.
Dunn's writing style is characteristically engaging, balancing scholarly rigor with narrative flair. She has a gift for making historical accounts feel immediate and relevant, helping readers understand how these past struggles connect directly to ongoing battles for equality in women's football.
The book's most powerful moments come from the firsthand reflections of the players themselves. Their voices, preserved through interviews and correspondence, speak across decades with startling clarity. Their stories aren't just about football—they're about defiance, determination, and the refusal to accept artificial limitations.
What emerges is more than just a sports history—it's a story about human resilience and the power of conviction. These women's decisions to seek opportunities abroad weren't just about playing football; they were acts of rebellion against a society that sought to limit their possibilities.
"Flying the Flag" arrives at a crucial time in women's football. As the sport enjoys unprecedented popularity and investment, Dunn reminds us that this success was built on the sacrifices of those who refused to accept no for an answer. It's both a celebration of how far women's football has come and a sobering reminder of how recently its players had to fight for basic recognition.
For anyone interested in sports history, women's rights, or tales of human perseverance, "Flying the Flag" is essential reading. It fills a crucial gap in football literature while delivering a powerful message about the importance of preserving and celebrating these pioneering voices.
In the end, "Flying the Flag" is more than just a book about football—it's about the courage to dream big when society tells you to dream smaller. These women's stories, finally getting the attention they deserve, remind us that today's achievements in women's football weren't gifted—they were hard-won by those brave enough to defy convention and chase their dreams across borders.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48 (Sent to You in the Last Week of May 2025)
Publisher: Legend Press
Published: May 14, 2025
Price: £14.99
Paperback: 256 pages
ISBN-10: 1917163533
ISBN-13: 978-1917163538
Dimensions: 318 x 216 (mm)
