When it comes to sport, football (also known as soccer) is the world’s most popular sport. But for many it is mostly thought of as a game for boys and men, although that couldn’t be further from the truth. Women’s football is taking off in a big way and growing at an astonishing pace, but women’s football is not new thing – women have been playing football for hundreds of years, with one of England’s best-ever players being Lily Parr. Welcome to Trailblazer, the inspirational true story of Lily Parr, the unstoppable star of women’s football.
Trailblazer is a children’s non-fiction picture book that tells the story of Lily Parr, bringing her story to life in a vibrant and inspiring way with warmth, clarity and a real sense of sporting excitement. Written by Elizabeth Dale and illustrated by Carolina Coroa, it tells the true story of one of England’s greatest footballers. This is the story of one female football player who not only dazzled on the pitch but also helped shape the future of the women’s game. With football being a sport loved by billions of people around the world and one that is so deeply woven into English culture, this book celebrates a pioneering woman whose achievements were nearly lost to history and shows that football is not just, and really never was, a “man’s game”.
Trailblazer gently, but firmly, challenges that assumption of being a game for the boys by showing that women have been playing football for centuries. This story weaves in some fascinating facts about women’s football, facts such as women’s teams played as early as the 1700s, the first officially recorded women’s football match in England took place in 1895 and by World War I the women’s game was drawing huge crowds. Today, women’s football is played in at least 200 countries around the world. This historical context gives young readers a sense of continuity: girls and women have always played football, even when the world tried to stop them.
This book features Lily Parr, a tall, powerful, left-footed winger who began playing at just fourteen for St. Helens Ladies. She is not a fictional character but a historical figure who was a determined, talented teenager who simply loved the game of football (as well as rugby). And her achievements in the game are extraordinary: 43 goals in her first season, nearly 1,000 across her 31-year career and a shot so powerful it once broke a goalkeeper’s arm. Her talent was so great that she played against men as well as women, often outclassing both. Her fitness and skill levels made her a star long before women’s football had the support it is garnering today.
Football matches today draw large crowds, with millions of fans now going to games every week, from amateur to top league professional football. In Trailblazer, one of the most striking parts of the story is the Boxing Day match of 1920, where a team featuring Lily Parr team drew a record-breaking crowd of 53,000 spectators, with thousands more locked outside (that’s more than some Premier League games today). This is a moment that shows just how popular the women’s game was – before the FA banned women from playing on its grounds in 1921.
Women’s football was banned by the Football Association (FA) in England from association members’ pitches for nearly 50 years (1921-1970). Trailblazer handles this injustice with sensitivity, making it clear that prejudice, not ability, held women back. But Lily and her teammates refused to give up. They played wherever they could, even travelling to America to take on men’s teams from the top division – and yes, even winning.
Overall, Trailblazer is a fantastic true story of the beautiful game and a fantastic player, not one featuring over-paid, over-privileged players, but a truly skilled player with huge talent, generous spirit and a determination that couldn’t be broken.
Football for women was challenging, and this book doesn’t shy away from the ones that Lily faced. Being resilient, she worked full-time, trained in her spare hours and continued playing despite mockery, restrictions and unfair treatment. Trailblazer highlights how women players donated much of their match earnings to charity, raising the equivalent of millions of pounds in today’s money for injured soldiers. These little details show young readers that it was not just Lily’s on-pitch talent, but her generous, determined and quietly revolutionary character that made her a true star of the game.
Alongside the story of Lily Parr and the struggles of women playing in England there are the illustrations by Carolina Coroa, they help bring this story to life with energy and charm. Capturing a completley different era, without feeling tired or old-fashioned, the pages feature expressive characters and dynamic football scenes that will appeal to young readers who love action and movement. The appealing visuals also help to anchor the historical moments, making them accessible and engaging.
Trailblazer is more than a book about football and it ascends being a sports biography. This footballing story tells a tale about fairness, perseverance and the courage to follow your passion, even when others say you shouldn’t. It shows girls and women that they belong on the pitch and reminds boys (and men who should read this book) that football is a game for EVERYONE. Packed with rich historical detail, uplifting messages and lively illustrations, Trailblazer is a perfect choice for young football fans as well as children who love stories about people who change the world simply by refusing to give up. Lily Parr didn’t just play football – she changed it!
Trailblazer is an excellent enjoyable, informative and inspirational read and does an excellent job of explaining to its young readers how courage, skill and sheer determination can break down even the toughest barriers, regardless of gender or prejudices.
You can find out more about the history of women’s football at www.thefa.com/womens-girls-football/heritage/kicking-down-barriers.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £7.99 (Paperback)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
