The Lost Lioness: The Development of Women in Sports Media
The sun beat down severely on the dusty Mexican pitch, contrasting the cold apathy the world cast upon them. They were the Lost Lionesses, a team of English female footballers who competed in the 1971 unofficial Women’s World Cup in Mexico. They faced financial constraints, societal disapproval, and lack of recognition, yet they persevered, driven by their love for the game and determination to prove themselves.
Janice Barton was not just a player but a symbol of hope for women everywhere. Yet, the joy of this role was short-lived due to the sheer audacity of their existence as female footballers, a burden she carried with grace and determination.
Every goal, tackle, and ball touch was a defiant act, a testament to their unwavering spirit. They were not just players but pioneers, blazing a trail through the uncharted territory of women’s football.
Their journey was one of struggle, sacrifice, and sheer determination. They were the Lost Lionesses, a legacy stamped in the records of time, a powerful reminder of the impact of their journey on the world of sport and the enduring power of the human spirit to overcome adversity, a testament to their pioneering spirit that continues to inspire generations.
Pioneering women in sport
The evolution of women in the sports media is a story of resilience, determination, and ground-breaking achievements in the face of adversity. While male voices have long dominated the sports world, female journalists have progressively carved out their place in this field despite limited opportunities and significant challenges.
The journey of pioneering sports journalist Mary Raine epitomises just what it means to break the glass ceiling. She made headlines in 1969 for being sent to cover Chelsea’s 5-1 FA Cup victory over Sunderland due to her substantial football knowledge.
After her acclaimed performance, she was selected to report on the 1970 FA Cup final, only to be told by her senior editor that a woman could not cover such an important match. Undeterred, Mary continued writing for the ‘rip and read’ news service chartered by the BBC under a pseudonym. Her perseverance paved the way for aspiring women and inspired a generation of female journalists to fight for their place in the sports media industry.
Although Barton was a footballer, there were clear correlations between female players and journalists regarding their challenges. While she may have yet to be aware of the impact she would have on future generations of footballers, Barton must be considered one of the game’s trailblazers. Like Mary, she endured familiar difficulties faced by girls and women.
“Can you imagine telling a girl in school they couldn’t play football? That’s what it was like. You would genuinely have the ball in the playground with the boys, but you weren’t meant to. Girls didn’t play football, end of story.”
Women were banned from playing football in some parts of the world
Barton’s daughter, former Olympian badminton player and author of the book ‘The Lost Lionesses’, Gail Emms MBE, describes some of the shocking truths faced by women in sports back in the 1970s. “There was a ban in place, so a girl could catch a ball playing netball at school, she could hit a ball in hockey, but if she kicked a ball, that was a criminal offence in Brazil until 1972 to kick a football. It was a criminal offence in China as well, because they did not want girls to kick a football.”
In the 1970s, a woman’s place was very much at home and, despite representing her country at Copa 71, Barton assumed the role of housewife on her return. “It was strange; I’d done all that, and I’d been to Mexico and played in that, but it wasn’t talked about, so we came back and just continued.
“You just went back to normal. You didn’t talk about it. I never said, ‘Oh, I’ve just returned from the World Cup; I played in that team.’ Nobody talked about it. It was so hard. There were no congratulations, just expectations. If you like, I just returned to being a housewife and bringing up the children.”
Janice Barton on Alex Scott, Match of the Day links
The topic of women in the sports media has been in the spotlight recently due to Gary Lineker resigning from ‘Match of the Day’. Alex Scott is one of the leading candidates to replace Lineker, who currently presents ‘Football Focus’ on the BBC. Barton summarises the debate around female presenters well when giving her verdict on Scott.
“I would never have dreamed in a million years that Match of the Day would be presented by a female from when I was playing it; come on, incredible. I think the BBC will employ a man to do it. I think the hierarchy of the BBC will say, ‘No, a man is going to do a man’s job.’ If it was a woman, I think many men would kick off. No pun intended.”
The Lost Lionesses’ fight for recognition continues to illuminate the path for women in the sports media today. We met with Janice Barton and Gail Emms at their home to understand the impact. Stories were shared, filled with resilience and bittersweet triumph, which was a humbling experience. Witnessing their passion first-hand was a powerful reminder of the pioneering spirit that inspires generations.
The Lost Lionesses story reminds us that even when the world seems indifferent, the courage to dream and fight for a better future can transform the landscape. Let us all be part of this transformation.
