Ahead of the England women team’s amazing success at EURO 2022, the i started campaigning for official recognition of the original 1972 Lionesses team.
As previous players could only receive handmade replica caps, chief football correspondent Sam Cunningham pressed the Football Association to officially award the 1972 Lionesses with the traditional caps for each international appearance of the national team.
Following the news brand’s campaign, the issue was raised in the House of Commons by Labour MP Barbara Keeley, with Leader of the House of Commons Mark Spencer saying Kelley’s motion “carries the support of the whole House”.
The FA responded, announcing it was “committed to awarding them with bespoke caps” as part of the team’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The originally Lionesses finally received their caps as part of an event in November.
What we went through to get women’s football where it is today. Nothing that happened in the past should be forgotten but the FA forgot us. We want a cap and I believe we deserve an apology.
Jeannie Allot, former winger for the 1972 team told the i after the FA’s announcement
