Lancaster City to honour local women’s football legend

Lancaster City will honour the life and achievements of a local women’s football hero with the unveiling of a plaque.

Lancaster Civic Society will unveil a heritage plaque at the Giant Axe in conjunction with the club, in honour of Jennie Harris.

Jennie played for Lancaster City Ladies before her and two fellow teammates, Jessie Walmsley and Anne Hastie, were signed for Preston side Dick Kerr Ladies in 1918.

Jennie represented the club well into the 1930s and was one of the most prolific goalscorers in their history.

The team were pioneers for women’s football and their players, including Jennie, played all around the world while women’s football was banned by the Football Association.

Before Jennie began playing for them, Dick, Kerr Ladies held their first charity match on Christmas Day 1917 at Preston North End’s Deepdale Stadium against Arundel Coulthard Factory, and raised £600.

Their game against France in 1920 at Deepdale, which they won 2-0, is regarded as the first ever international game of women’s football,

The team continued to play games and raise money for several charities until 1965. Between 1917 and the mid 60s, the club raised over £180,000 for charity, and what originally started out as a club formed by women in a Preston factory during World War One proved to be revolutionary for the ladies’ side of the beautiful game.

The plaque in honour of Jennie will be unveiled before kick off at the Giant Axe before City's match with Hyde United on March 25, with supporters also getting the chance to meet current Lancaster City Ladies players.

This is one of many exciting things the Dolly Blues are planning for Non League Day, including lowering ticket prices.

Ticket prices are reduced to £5 for adults, with concessions, students and young adult prices at £3 and under 14s going free with a paying adult.