The excitement of Chloe Kelly scoring the winning goal in the 2022 European Championship resonated deeply, igniting a passion that had long been suppressed. As the Lionesses reached the 2023 World Cup final and celebrated victory at Euro 2025, a new generation of children witnesses women’s football on their screens, fostering dreams once denied to many.

According to Fifa's 2023 Member Association survey, the number of women and girls playing organized football has surged by 24% since 2019, totaling over 16.6 million participants, with 3.9 million registered female players. Fifa's Women’s Football Strategy 2024-27 aims for 60 million registered players by next year.

However, a significant number of women have missed out on this growth. This isn’t just about the 50-year ban on women playing on FA-affiliated pitches from 1921 to 1971, but also about the girls of the 70s, 80s, and 90s who adored the game yet had minimal opportunities to play.

Carol Bates founded the Crawley Old Girls in 2015, creating a space for women aged 25 to 80. Similarly, Jo Treharne established the Canterbury Old Bags for women who embraced football later in life.

Reflecting on her own childhood in Birmingham, the author recalls playing football with boys, facing societal barriers that labeled her a “tomboy.” Throughout her 20s, her football experience dwindled to informal games, overshadowed by family commitments.

Now, as she nears 50 in Melbourne, she has found her community among women over 35 in a competitive team. Many teammates share similar stories of delayed football journeys, with one woman recalling how she cried upon donning her kit at 46. The coach, once feeling unwelcome in the sport, now thrives in her dual role of player and mentor.

These narratives echo a collective resilience, reminiscent of the Three Lions' anthem about enduring pain. For this generation of women, the game they once loved is finally finding its way home.