A Summer of Triumph: How the Lionesses Changed Womens Football!

Women’s football has come a long way in the last 100 years. From being banned in 1921 by the FA, to being played again in 1994, to gripping an entire nation is the summer of 2022.

With the summer of the Euros now concluded and the WSL back in full swing, we look back on the Lionesses achievements and how this has impacted the game for women and viewers of the sport.

With the England team bringing it home it is important to talk about what the win means to many, this including women of the future and past. The topic is not shied upon with the lionesses about the past of the sport, with players like Beth Mead and captain Leah Williamson , two very creditable players, have both added their fair share of opinions about the way the women’s side of football and how the talented players have been treated poorly compared to the men's side.

Let's take a blast through to the past when women’s football was firstly banned by the FA. The controversial move meant that women playing the sport was deemed ‘quite unsuitable’ for female - which we later have found out to be unterly untrue.

England legends such as Kelly Smith and Alex Scott both have played major parts in the history and rise of the lionesses, both playing in the 2009 UEFA women's European Championships. As we've seen, the game has come a long way even since 2009. However, as we see this new crop of English legends show the world what women are capable of (from record breaking attendances to fantastic goals) it is a necessity that we remember the players that fought to play the sport they love.

With autumn decending upon us, we are now back with start of the women’s Super League. Originally being postponed due to the passing of her majesty the Queen, This weekend will has seen fresh challenges for all the leagues clubs. Starting off strong with Arsenal vs Brighton, we can only hope that the games stay as competitive and passionate from players and spectators alike to those we whiteness's this summer.

As we talk about attendance, we move onto the topic of support from the fans and how vital it is to attend the matches. The gate numbers don’t just show the love from the nation, but encourages strength for the players to believe change has been made because of the magic of 2022. Over the last few weeks, we have seen an increase of coverage for the sport. Loose Women and Good Morning Britain each having a fair amount of WSL content on their shows, as well as the nationwide love for the lionesses in newspapers, social media (including the house decorations on local streets)

Younger viewers filled Wembley stadium on that historic Sunday this summer, each wanting to see the lioness's score, win and bring football home. Young people, especially young girls, will be impacted with the win as it aims to uncover a new aspect of sport they may have never seen before - carried by new legends and inspirations. The heroics of the Euros has not only provided new opportunities, but has initiated a movement which provides belief to every young female football fan this could be them one day.

Now thinking ahead into the future. We can only see exciting times ahead for the new stars of the lionesses, although will this adrenaline eventually die down? Will Sarina Weigman finally see a loss? Time will only tell. Nevertheless, women's football in England has never been in better shape, and hopefully we get to see more success and coverage in the near future.

With icons Ellen White and Jill Scott retiring from the England team, we are entering a new era for the lionesses. With both players being honorable members of that legendary team, it is difficult to see the future of England without them. But, like the thousands of football players before them, they have now set the important foundations for the start of a new chapter in the story of womens football in this country. A new era which all started with bring football finally home.