The remarkable legacy of the most pioneering team in the history of women’s football is set to be formally recognised at the Women’s Football Awards.
he Manchester Corinthians Ladies FC was founded in 1949, paving the way for the women’s game today.
The club rose to prominence during a time when women’s football in England faced severe restrictions. In the wake of the Football Association’s 1921 ban, which prohibited women from playing on affiliated grounds, the Manchester Corinthians overcame significant institutional and cultural barriers to build a legacy of remarkable achievement.
Their success, which extended far beyond the UK, is now set to be recognised at a national industry awards ceremony. The Women’s Football Awards will formally recognise the Manchester Corinthians as being pivotal in shaping women’s football now.
Despite their achievements, the Corinthians’ story faded from public recognition for many years. Now, as women’s football continues its rapid growth, their contribution is being rightfully acknowledged.
The award will be accepted by surviving members of the squad, whose first-hand accounts have recently been captured in a feature-length documentary chronicling their journey.
This recognition at the Women’s Football Awards not only honours the legacy of Manchester Corinthians Ladies FC but also celebrates their lasting impact on the development of the women’s game.
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Jamie Carragher, who is co-hosting the Women’s Football Awards with Gabby Logan, commented: ‘The Women’s Football Awards will be celebrating a group of fearless pioneers who refused to accept the limits placed upon them.
‘The Manchester Corinthians didn’t just play football – they changed it forever. Their legacy is present in every girl and woman who plays football today.’
Former Manchester City, Barcelona and England footballer Toni Duggan, who is an ambassador for the Women’s Football Awards, said: ‘As an England women national football team player, you know you’re part of something bigger. But this wouldn’t have been possible for me or any of my former teammates without the likes of Manchester Corinthians.
‘They are the reason that we are here today. Their courage and love for the beautiful game has paved the way for generations of players like me – it is an honour to see their story celebrated.’
About the Women’s Football Awards
The Women’s Football Awards, in association with Metro, launched in 2023, is Europe’s first major awards event dedicated solely to celebrating achievement across the women’s game.
Created to recognise excellence at every level – from grassroots trailblazers to the biggest names on the global stage – the awards shine a spotlight on the players, organisations, brands and leaders driving the rapid growth of women’s football.
Now firmly established as the leading celebration of the sport in Europe, the Women’s Football Awards brings together the industry’s most influential figures each year to honour success, inspire progress, and champion the future of the game.
SHEIN Women’s Football Awards shortlist
Player of the Year
Lauren Hemp (Manchester City)
Bunny Shaw (Manchester City)
Kerstin Casparij (Manchester City)
Jess Park (Manchester United)
Ella Toone (Manchester United)
Kiko Seike (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Hannah Hampton (Chelsea)
Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa)
Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal)
Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City)
Young Player of the Year
Tōko Koga (Tottenham Hotspur)
Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City)
Michelle Agyemang (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses)
Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea)
Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United)
Grace Clinton (Manchester City)
Aoba Fujino (Manchester City)
Nelly Las (Leicester City)
Ruby Mace (Everton)
Lenna Gunning-Williams (Tottenham Hotspur)
International Player of the Year
Klara Bühl (Bayern Munich)
Caroline Weir (Real Madrid)
Alèxia Putellas (Barcelona)
Romée Leuchter (Paris Saint-Germain)
Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich)
Ewa Pajor (Barcelona)
Claudia Pina (Barcelona)
Melchie Dumornay (Lyon)
Tessa Wullaert (Inter Milan)
Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid)
Victoria López (Barcelona)
Club of the Year
Manchester City
Wrexham
London City Lionesses
Manchester United
Chelsea
Glasgow City
Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal
Charlton Athletic
Hearts
Brighton & Hove Albion
Media Figure of the Year
Kelly Cates
Karen Carney MBE
Lianne Sanderson
Laura Woods
Reshmin Chowdhury
Alex Scott MBE
Mina Ibrahim
Suzanne Wrack
Katie Whyatt
Faye Carruthers
Mollie and Rosie Kmita
Best Marketing Campaign
Sports Direct & Fresh Base Productions – Legacy Starts Here
AXA – Keep On Kicking
Lidl – Never Stop Growing
Adidas & Intersport – Make Football Their Game
Chelsea & Here We Flo – We Don’t Bleed Blue. We Bleed. Period.
PepsiMAX & Hope&Glory – Thirsty for More
Unilever – Hellmann’s Russo Burger
The FA & Disrupt – Made For This Game
WSL Football & Anomaly – Watch This
Nike & Wieden+Kennedy London – IIOME
Heineken – Cheers to the Superstitious Fans
Best Grassroots Initiative
Liverpool FA – She Inspires
GoCardless – Grassroots Football Partnership
Tottenham Hotspur Foundation – Girls & Women Programme
Flutter UK & Ireland – Cash4Clubs
McDonald’s – Fun Football
Steven Gerrard Academy – Girls Football Programme
Electric Ireland – Game Changers NI
Starling Bank – Kick On With Starling
Octopus Energy – Kits For Kids
Manchester City – City in the Community
SP Energy Networks – Wrexham Partnership
Brand of the Year
Lucozade Sport
Adidas
EA Sports
British Gas
Skoda UK
Rexona
Barclays
Adobe
Three UK
VISA
Nike
Best Social Media
Juventus
The FA – Lionesses
Chelsea
Newcastle United
Aston Villa
Tottenham Hotspur
Bristol City
Manchester United
Rangers
Manchester City
Adobe – Women’s FA Cup
Global Impact Award
PlayStation
VisitMalta
VISA
Adidas
Iberdrola
PepsiCo
Booking.com
Amazon
Google Pixel
Kynisca
Nike
Best Fan Engagement
Disney+
EA Sports
Chelsea
London City Lionesses
Birmingham City
Panini
Glasgow City
Havas Play
Charlton Athletic
TikTok
YouTube
Legal Team of the Year
Linklaters
RPC
Thackray Williams
Evelyn Partners
Lawrence Stephens Limited
Penningtons Manches Cooper
Tottenham Hotspur Legal Team
Capital Law
Mills & Reeve
Paul Robinson Solicitors
Bird & Bird
Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Award
Admiral
Lidl
Adobe
Unilever
Domestic & General
Xero
Apple
RSK
Bute Energy
The Premier League
Deloitte
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award
Arsenal
EE
Pixel FC Academy
The FA
West Ham United
Mastercard
Utilita
Brighton & Hove Albion
VISA
Three UK
Liverpool
Community Impact Award
Sunderland
Carpenters Group
Bristol City
Crane Worldwide Logistics
Her Game Too
Xero
London City Lionesses
Domis
Brighton & Hove Albion
E.ON
Goals4Girls
Football Business of the Year
ORRECO
Mercury13
We Are Athlete
CAA SPORTS
Gravity Media
LiveScore Group
Foudys
EA Sports
Kynsica
Sportfive
Twenty3
Football Agency of the Year
Wasserman
CAA SPORTS
CMG SPORTS
Gen Z Football
Ignite Talent
Tongue Tied Management
PLG
A&V Sports Group
Gestifute
Livida Sport
Quantum Sport
Football Business Trailblazer
Kay Cossington
Aki Mandhar
Maggie Murphy
Sarah Batters
Zoe Johnson
Jemma White
Sola Kasali
Charlotte O’Neill
Laura Downey
Laura Montgomery
Liz Ellen
Best Breakthrough Business
E.l.f Beauty
Modibodi
Mercedes-Benz UK
Airbnb
British Gas
Guinness
AFTA Studios
PLG
Revolut
Skechers
Crocs EU
Women’s Football Champion
Rose Read
Nadine Kessler
Nikki Doucet
Jemma White
Michele Kang
Ebru Köksal
Debbie Hewitt MBE
Joelle Murray
Rachel Pavlou
Simone Pound MBE
Vic Akers OBE
Game Changer Award
Rachel Yankey OBE
Gillian Coultard MBE
Eartha Pond
Shelley Kerr MBE
Kelly Smith MBE
Nikita Parris
Ellen White MBE
Gilly Flaherty
Fran Kirby
Ini Umotong
Jess Fishlock MBE
Off The Pitch Award
Stephen Lansdown CBE
Michael Williamson
Matt Johnson
Bethan Woolley
Tammy Parlour MBE
Lungi Macebo
Rachel Pavlou
Liz Ellen
Lola Ogunbote
Helen Hardy
Jo Osborne