The Corinthians: We Were The Champions

Discover the inspiring story of a team of true sporting trailblazers of football, conquering the world despite an English FA ban on Women players.

Long before Manchester United or City were playing in the Champions league, a group of Mancunians were travelling the world playing in hallowed stadiums such as Juventus and Sporting Lisbon... and winning. But what was all the more remarkable about this is that the team in question were a bunch of amateur women whose home turf was public pitches in muddy Fog Lane Park in Didsbury, and their facilities were a bucket of cold water to rinse off with afterwards. And did they have the backing of a professional football association to promote and champion them as they toured the world? No. In fact, they were forbidden from playing or training on FA-affliated pitches by white-collar men who thought women too delicate and ladylike to play football. They had husbands to cook for after all.

In 1921 the English FA banned women from playing football, despite it being a burgeoning and popular sport. That ban was to persist for 50yrs until 1971, but it was enough to damage the reputation and set back women's football decades. During that time women still wanted to play, and leading the charge was Percy Ashley who formed The Corinthians in 1949, captained by his talented daughter Doris.

And they were good. They trained hard and they had an impressive winning streak against anyone they could find to play. Despite Percy's protests the FA were firm on their ban, so Percy organised tours to other countries where they were welcomed like heroes. They beat Germany in 1957 in a cup final. They toured South America in 1960 and played in front of crowds of 50,000. They won an unofficial European Cup against Juventus in 1970. But every time they returned home, they were met by silence from the very organisation that should have been championing them.

It's another 50yrs later now, but finally The Corinthians are getting their chance to shine. Helen Tither has directed the inspiring documentary that talks to the surviving players and gets their thoughts on the beautiful game, the stigma of playing football, their journeys around the world, and a little bit of the fun they got up to out there!

We are honoured to be showing The Corinthians: We Were The Champions at all The Light venues on 30 April 2026 , and we welcomed four former Corinthian players to a Q&A at Stockport along with Director Helen Tither and Producer Sarah Walters on the 17 April. There will be another Q&A event at The Light Bolton on 30 April, which is sure to be a another celebratory night. Be sure to book your tickets now!

Written by Becca Polley - Digital Campaign Manager
20 April 2026