There are moments in sports history that deserve more than footnotes. "Lost Lionesses," Gail Emms's deeply personal chronicle of England's forgotten 1971 Women's World Cup team, transforms one such footnote into a gripping narrative of courage, prejudice, and vindication.
Emms brings a unique perspective as both a decorated athlete and the daughter of striker Janice Barton. This dual lens of daughter and sportswoman allows her to craft something more nuanced than a simple sports biography. The book weaves together intimate family history with broader social commentary, creating a tapestry that shows how deeply sports and society's treatment of women have been intertwined.
The heart of the story follows a remarkable group of everyday heroines bank clerks, schoolgirls, and telephonists who became England's first women's football team. Under the guidance of Harry, their sixty-year-old multilingual bus driver turned coach, these amateur players ventured to Mexico to represent their country. But rather than returning to acclaim, they faced mockery, bans, and systematic erasure from football history.
What makes this book particularly powerful is its multigenerational approach. Emms doesn't just recount events; she explores how the stigma and punishment these women faced reverberated through their lives and families for decades. The author's personal stake in the story—watching her mother navigate both pride and pain from this chapter of her life—adds an emotional depth that statistics and match reports could never capture.
The writing skillfully balances journalistic clarity with emotional resonance. Emms has a gift for making decades-old matches feel immediate and tense, while never losing sight of the larger social context. Her experience as a media personality shows in how she structures the narrative, keeping it accessible without sacrificing complexity.
Perhaps most striking is how relevant this fifty-year-old story feels today. As women's football enjoys unprecedented popularity and success, "Lost Lionesses" serves as both celebration and warning. It reminds us how quickly progress can be reversed and how important it is to remember those who kicked down doors for others to walk through.
Some readers might wish for more detailed match descriptions or broader historical context about women's football worldwide. However, this tight focus on the human story—the dreams, disappointments, and determination of these specific women—is ultimately what makes the book so compelling.
"Lost Lionesses" isn't just a sports book. It's a story about mothers and daughters, about institutional prejudice and about the long arc of social change. Most importantly, it's about time—time lost, time remembered, and time finally given back to these pioneers who deserved so much better.
This book serves as a celebration and a reckoning, reminding us of the progress we've made and the unpaid debts of recognition women's football still bears. "Lost Lionesses" is a must-read for anyone with an interest in sports, social history, or a compelling narrative of bravery amidst challenges.
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Published: July 3, 2025Price: £12.99 Hardcover: 336 pagesISBN-10: 1788404971ISBN-13: 978-1788404976Dimensions: 127 x 196 (mm) Pre-order Lost Lionesses today | Best price guaranteed | Holiday reading sorted
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