Abstract
After 1896 women's football languished as the novelty wore off, gate receipts dried up and crowds grew hostile. During the First World War, women's teams formed anew throughout Britain to play charity matches, often attracting large crowds. Women's teams remained popular after the war, particularly in the northwest, where sides such as the Dick, Kerr Ladies entertained thousands at the Preston North End grounds. In the spring of 1920 that team hosted a French team for a four-match tour around England, drawing 60,000 spectators. And on Boxing Day 1920, a match between the Dick, Kerr Ladies and St. Helen's Ladies at Goodison Park drew over 50,000 spectators. Then on 5 December, 1921 the FA requested member teams to disallow women's sides from playing on their grounds, leading to a drastic reduction in the number of women's teams around the country. Only in recent years has women's football re-emerged as a viable force in Britain with the establishment of a women's Premier League and women's national team.
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