Corinthian spirit at Old Trafford
“I used to go to Old Trafford and dream that at half-time they’d put out an announcement: ‘Wendy Crossland. Can you come to the pitch to play the second half?’ And the night before every Corinthians game I always had a dream about scoring... for either the Corinthians or for United.’”
As a staunch Red, as well as a former captain of the Manchester Corinthians – a pioneering team who played despite a ban on women’s football by the FA – Wendy’s dreams as a footballer sadly didn’t come to fruition, but several decades on, she knows today is perhaps the next best thing.
We’re at Old Trafford, moments before kick-off at the latest Manchester women’s derby, and Wendy is a special guest at the game alongside seven other former Corinthians from across the decades, all of whom are now in their sixties, seventies or eighties.
The trailblazing group of former footballers have just enjoyed a pitchside walkout while the crowd slowly builds at the Theatre of Dreams, before taking their seats in the directors’ box, right on the halfway line within the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand. As Maya Le Tissier and Alex Greenwood lead the teams out, there’s much excitement among these eight senior spectators.
How could there not be? The sun’s out for a noon kick-off, This is the One is echoing around the stands, and over 30,000 fans are in full voice for a high-stakes WSL encounter for the Manchester clubs as both chase a top-three finish, and with it the prize of a Women’s Champions League place for 2025/26.
As a “real midfield general” (her words), Wendy Crossland began playing for the Corinthians in the late ’70s. A matchgoing Red who used to stand in the Stretford End every other week, she still can’t quite believe how the women’s game has grown since she hung up her boots, with the Corinthians playing her final game in 1989, over 40 years after the team was formed soon after the Second World War. “I played in front of a few thousand fans in a game in Blackpool once, but nothing like this,” Wendy tells us as she surveys the scene on this glorious Sunday. “But I know some of the other girls here played games in front of huge crowds.”
We’re at Old Trafford, moments before kick-off at the latest Manchester women’s derby, and Wendy is a special guest at the game alongside seven other former Corinthians from across the decades, all of whom are now in their sixties, seventies or eighties.
The trailblazing group of former footballers have just enjoyed a pitchside walkout while the crowd slowly builds at the Theatre of Dreams, before taking their seats in the directors’ box, right on the halfway line within the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand. As Maya Le Tissier and Alex Greenwood lead the teams out, there’s much excitement among these eight senior spectators.
How could there not be? The sun’s out for a noon kick-off, This is the One is echoing around the stands, and over 30,000 fans are in full voice for a high-stakes WSL encounter for the Manchester clubs as both chase a top-three finish, and with it the prize of a Women’s Champions League place for 2025/26.
As a “real midfield general” (her words), Wendy Crossland began playing for the Corinthians in the late ’70s. A matchgoing Red who used to stand in the Stretford End every other week, she still can’t quite believe how the women’s game has grown since she hung up her boots, with the Corinthians playing her final game in 1989, over 40 years after the team was formed soon after the Second World War. “I played in front of a few thousand fans in a game in Blackpool once, but nothing like this,” Wendy tells us as she surveys the scene on this glorious Sunday. “But I know some of the other girls here played games in front of huge crowds.”
Indeed they did. In the 1950s the Corinthians participated in major tours to Portugal, Holland and Germany. In 1957, on the team’s second Germany trip, they even represented England, winning the International Ladies FA’s European Cup in a final against Germany in Berlin. National newspaper The Daily Herald ended its match report with high praise: ‘And the general impression among the Germans was that the Manchester Corinthians were even a little better than Manchester United in technique.’
Margaret Whitworth – who is sat alongside Wendy for today’s WSL derby – first lined up for the Corinthians as far back as the ’50s, playing for the team in their incredible, three-month tour of South America in 1960.
Like many of the squad Margaret was still a teenager when she joined the Corinthians, and the experiences she gained on those tours were remarkable. The players were treated like stars and games were watched by huge crowds in Venezuela, Columbia and the West Indies. They were often mobbed by fans, especially when her team won an international tournament in Caracas.
Back in England, however, the ban on women’s football being played on FA-affiliated grounds was still in place, but that didn’t stop them from organising games. And from the Corinthians’ earliest days they had support from Manchester United as well as Manchester City. United’s legendary 1940s captain Johnny Carey even helped promote the Corinthians, attending various functions and sitting proudly alongside them for a group photo.
During the ’60s male players from both United and City would attend Corinthians’ games or help in some way. United World Cup winner Nobby Stiles once kicked off a game while the Corinthians trained at The Cliff – our historic training ground in Broughton, Salford – as they were able to do occasion, much to the delight of the players.
In the late ’70s the Corinthians even faced the original Manchester United Ladies amateur team, as set up by supporters’ club secretary Anne Smith, with a few of the Corinthians going on to join that United team.
Margaret Whitworth – who is sat alongside Wendy for today’s WSL derby – first lined up for the Corinthians as far back as the ’50s, playing for the team in their incredible, three-month tour of South America in 1960.
Like many of the squad Margaret was still a teenager when she joined the Corinthians, and the experiences she gained on those tours were remarkable. The players were treated like stars and games were watched by huge crowds in Venezuela, Columbia and the West Indies. They were often mobbed by fans, especially when her team won an international tournament in Caracas.
Back in England, however, the ban on women’s football being played on FA-affiliated grounds was still in place, but that didn’t stop them from organising games. And from the Corinthians’ earliest days they had support from Manchester United as well as Manchester City. United’s legendary 1940s captain Johnny Carey even helped promote the Corinthians, attending various functions and sitting proudly alongside them for a group photo.
During the ’60s male players from both United and City would attend Corinthians’ games or help in some way. United World Cup winner Nobby Stiles once kicked off a game while the Corinthians trained at The Cliff – our historic training ground in Broughton, Salford – as they were able to do occasion, much to the delight of the players.
In the late ’70s the Corinthians even faced the original Manchester United Ladies amateur team, as set up by supporters’ club secretary Anne Smith, with a few of the Corinthians going on to join that United team.
DECADE-LONG PROJECT
The eight special guests at Old Trafford are among 50 Corinthians to have been interviewed as part of a decade-long project set up by football historian Gary James, documenting the history of women’s football in Manchester.
In total, around 400 women who played for the club were tracked down, and for those reunited, in some cases it had been over 60 years since they had last seen each other.
The project led to a blue plaque being unveiled in 2023 – as seen by over six million people on ITV News – as well as the creation of a book charting the history of the team, from formation through to its final days. Many of those interviewed for the book were in their eighties and nineties, with some of their memories being shared in the official match programme for Sunday’s WSL derby.
“I never imagined there were women playing football,” says another Old Trafford guest, Margaret Shepherd, in her interview for the book, entitled Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History by Gary James. “I just thought I was a one-off. I played with the lads and that was it. I loved football. I was about 15 when I went with my brother to United. Queued up. Went in the Stretford End. That was it, hooked! My hero was Denis Law. I got a 21st birthday card from George Best and I’d go down to The Cliff to watch United train.”
As much as Margaret loved watching Matt Busby’s Reds, what she enjoyed the most was to kick a ball herself – whenever and wherever she could. One day around 1967 she was playing netball and fate opened a whole new world for her. “The ball went on the ground, and I automatically kicked it,” she recalls. “This other girl, Sheila Isherwood, kicked it back... she said she played for a women’s football team. I said, ‘come off it!’ as I’d never heard of any team. She said that she played for the Corinthians and asked if I wanted to come. And that was it.”
Margaret was impressed with the quality of her new footballing team-mates. “I think if you took the best team from the Corinthians and played them today against City or United’s women’s team, they’d hold their own,” she insists. “We all worked every day, trained twice a week and the team was still brilliant. We’d train on Fog Lane Park [in Didsbury] but in winter there’d be so much ice or mud that it was difficult. We had a little shed – no lights! – where we got changed. If you wanted a wash you’d break the ice on the duck pond. You’d go home muddy sometimes. We did it for the love of football.”
The eight special guests at Old Trafford are among 50 Corinthians to have been interviewed as part of a decade-long project set up by football historian Gary James, documenting the history of women’s football in Manchester.
In total, around 400 women who played for the club were tracked down, and for those reunited, in some cases it had been over 60 years since they had last seen each other.
The project led to a blue plaque being unveiled in 2023 – as seen by over six million people on ITV News – as well as the creation of a book charting the history of the team, from formation through to its final days. Many of those interviewed for the book were in their eighties and nineties, with some of their memories being shared in the official match programme for Sunday’s WSL derby.
“I never imagined there were women playing football,” says another Old Trafford guest, Margaret Shepherd, in her interview for the book, entitled Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History by Gary James. “I just thought I was a one-off. I played with the lads and that was it. I loved football. I was about 15 when I went with my brother to United. Queued up. Went in the Stretford End. That was it, hooked! My hero was Denis Law. I got a 21st birthday card from George Best and I’d go down to The Cliff to watch United train.”
As much as Margaret loved watching Matt Busby’s Reds, what she enjoyed the most was to kick a ball herself – whenever and wherever she could. One day around 1967 she was playing netball and fate opened a whole new world for her. “The ball went on the ground, and I automatically kicked it,” she recalls. “This other girl, Sheila Isherwood, kicked it back... she said she played for a women’s football team. I said, ‘come off it!’ as I’d never heard of any team. She said that she played for the Corinthians and asked if I wanted to come. And that was it.”
Margaret was impressed with the quality of her new footballing team-mates. “I think if you took the best team from the Corinthians and played them today against City or United’s women’s team, they’d hold their own,” she insists. “We all worked every day, trained twice a week and the team was still brilliant. We’d train on Fog Lane Park [in Didsbury] but in winter there’d be so much ice or mud that it was difficult. We had a little shed – no lights! – where we got changed. If you wanted a wash you’d break the ice on the duck pond. You’d go home muddy sometimes. We did it for the love of football.”
Margaret was one of the team’s key players when the Corinthians beat Juventus in a prominent tournament in France in 1970. Another guest here today, Linda Hallam, scored the winning goal against the Turin club.
At that time there was a national league in Italy, while in England the Corinthians were contributing to the establishment of governing bodies and competitions. Corinthians played their part in the creation of the Women’s FA, the Women’s FA Cup and other competitions during the late 1960s and early 1970s, as the FA ban finally came to an end. The Corinthians manager at that time, Gladys Aikin, was the first Chair of the England International Committee. Under her watch England played Scotland in their first official international game, in 1972.
Corinthian Jean Wilson – who sadly wasn’t able to join us at Old Trafford – played in that historic game, and in October 2022 she and the rest of the 1972 England squad were special guests at Wembley. “We were all invited to England v USA, and I think 12 of the original 15 players were able to go,” she recalls in Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History. “We were awarded a special numbered cap – I was no.11. My niece’s second oldest Mylee Dunbar is a footballer. She’s been with United about six or seven years. I never actually told her I’d played football when she was little but once she started playing, I explained about it and showed her my collection. When I went to Wembley to get my cap, she came with me, meeting the Lionesses.”
Another guest at Old Trafford for the WSL derby, Gail Robertson, was born in Scotland. “I always wanted to play, and my dream was to play for Scotland,” says Gail. “When I was out playing on the streets a man pointed at me and said: ‘That wee laddie, one day he’s going to play for Scotland.’ My dad told me that I turned around and said: ‘I’m not a wee laddie, I’m a wee lassie!’ That would be about 1966.” When Gail’s family moved south to England, she joined the Corinthians and picked a team to support. She chose United.
At that time there was a national league in Italy, while in England the Corinthians were contributing to the establishment of governing bodies and competitions. Corinthians played their part in the creation of the Women’s FA, the Women’s FA Cup and other competitions during the late 1960s and early 1970s, as the FA ban finally came to an end. The Corinthians manager at that time, Gladys Aikin, was the first Chair of the England International Committee. Under her watch England played Scotland in their first official international game, in 1972.
Corinthian Jean Wilson – who sadly wasn’t able to join us at Old Trafford – played in that historic game, and in October 2022 she and the rest of the 1972 England squad were special guests at Wembley. “We were all invited to England v USA, and I think 12 of the original 15 players were able to go,” she recalls in Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History. “We were awarded a special numbered cap – I was no.11. My niece’s second oldest Mylee Dunbar is a footballer. She’s been with United about six or seven years. I never actually told her I’d played football when she was little but once she started playing, I explained about it and showed her my collection. When I went to Wembley to get my cap, she came with me, meeting the Lionesses.”
Another guest at Old Trafford for the WSL derby, Gail Robertson, was born in Scotland. “I always wanted to play, and my dream was to play for Scotland,” says Gail. “When I was out playing on the streets a man pointed at me and said: ‘That wee laddie, one day he’s going to play for Scotland.’ My dad told me that I turned around and said: ‘I’m not a wee laddie, I’m a wee lassie!’ That would be about 1966.” When Gail’s family moved south to England, she joined the Corinthians and picked a team to support. She chose United.
Sue Short – yet another Reds-supporting Corinthian, who later joined United Ladies in the early ’90s and is now a regular spectator at United Women games, shares the story of another fascinating link between the clubs. “Donna Gibson, Matt Busby’s granddaughter, played for the Corinthians – the newspapers came down to see us play,” she recalls. Donna’s arrival came in November 1979, with Wendy Crossland remembering it just as vividly. “Donna’s family donated some kit to help us,” says Wendy. “She was dead down-to-earth and just wanted to play football. She came out with us too. It was great having her as part of our team.”
By the late ’70s Sue was a regular in the Corinthians team, as was Estelle Scruton, with the pair enjoying their Old Trafford experience together, as they do whenever they watch United Women in action these days at Leigh Sports Village. “It’s quite nostalgic when Estelle and I watch United Women,” says Sue. “We’re season ticket holders, and I sit there wishing I was that age again.”
The Corinthians’ last trophy success came in 1989 but soon after that the club lost quite a few players, calling it a day in 1992.
By the late ’70s Sue was a regular in the Corinthians team, as was Estelle Scruton, with the pair enjoying their Old Trafford experience together, as they do whenever they watch United Women in action these days at Leigh Sports Village. “It’s quite nostalgic when Estelle and I watch United Women,” says Sue. “We’re season ticket holders, and I sit there wishing I was that age again.”
The Corinthians’ last trophy success came in 1989 but soon after that the club lost quite a few players, calling it a day in 1992.
Sue Short, who had joined the Corinthians in the 1960s as a young teenager, recognises this was a difficult time. “It was sad,” she says of the team’s demise. “Remembering what we’d been before and how good we’d been. It wasn’t anybody’s fault. If you lose so many players, it’s hard to keep going. I went to Manchester United [amateur team] in the 1992/93 season. They were a good team and I was sat on the sidelines waiting for a game for about two years. Someone was injured and that’s when my chance came. We used to train at The Cliff, and it improved my game. I was a left-back, but I also played midfield. I’d have played for ever and I’m still envious when I see games today. I want to be out there... I’d love to play again.”
Completing the roll call inside the Old Trafford directors’ box is Mary Ratchford, who played for the Corinthians throughout the ’70s and ’80s. As the match continues, Mary – like most (if not all!) of those alongside her – is delighted to see Marc Skinner’s Reds battle back from two goals down to earn a priceless draw. As the full-time whistle blows to end a gripping WSL encounter, the result ensures Champions League football for United Women next season, while the Blues of Manchester miss out.
It’s been quite a day on the pitch, and a real privilege to watch the game alongside such a truly inspirational group. Their many stories provide incredible insight into how women’s football has developed over the last 80 years – from a time when it was banned, to the establishment of clubs like United and City’s original women’s teams, right up to the professionalism of the present day.
‘Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History’ can be ordered online now.
Completing the roll call inside the Old Trafford directors’ box is Mary Ratchford, who played for the Corinthians throughout the ’70s and ’80s. As the match continues, Mary – like most (if not all!) of those alongside her – is delighted to see Marc Skinner’s Reds battle back from two goals down to earn a priceless draw. As the full-time whistle blows to end a gripping WSL encounter, the result ensures Champions League football for United Women next season, while the Blues of Manchester miss out.
It’s been quite a day on the pitch, and a real privilege to watch the game alongside such a truly inspirational group. Their many stories provide incredible insight into how women’s football has developed over the last 80 years – from a time when it was banned, to the establishment of clubs like United and City’s original women’s teams, right up to the professionalism of the present day.
‘Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History’ can be ordered online now.
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