In 1971, a group of extraordinary women travelled to Mexico to represent England on the world stage. They played in front of tens of thousands of fans, inspired a generation, and helped prove that women’s football belonged in the spotlight. Yet despite their impact, these players were never officially capped by the FA. At a time when the women’s game still faced bans and deep-rooted barriers, their achievements were left unrecognised and their place in football history largely overlooked. Some were even prevented from continuing their football careers upon returning home.

More than fifty years later, we set out to help correct that historical oversight. Partnering with the Football Supporters Association (FSA), we became part of a fan-led effort to celebrate the 1971 team and acknowledge their role as true pioneers of the modern women’s game. The aim was not only to recognise their story, but to do so in a way that felt meaningful, creative, and rooted in football culture. Rather than a symbolic gesture alone, the project sought to create tangible items that honoured their legacy and connected past and present generations of fans.

This collaboration resulted in a tribute that placed supporters at the heart of the recognition. It highlighted how football history is not only shaped by governing bodies and tournaments, but also by the passion and memory of fans who refuse to let important stories be forgotten.