It was a pitch in the middle of a park, basically, Peter McFarlane, secretary of the Everton Women Official Supporters' Club, says in describing Walton Hall Park, the 500-seat stadium that eventually held a further 1500 spectators before the team moved to Goodison Park. Walton Hall Park was the smallest stadium in the Women's Super League, charming and nostalgic with its railed-off standing space, somewhat isolated outside of the city, and otherwise simply lacking food options and a bar.
"The world has been watching. It will make a very big impact in Africa because we have so many good players and they just need the opportunity to show what they can really do. "It lets others know that everything is achievable and everything is possible. This nomination is not just for me, it is for Africa. "It is for every young girl dreaming to become whatever they want to be. They just have to believe in themselves."
Paired together for their first meeting since a 1-1 draw in 1948, interest in the tie at Blundell Park was so high that League Two Grimsby's website crashed almost immediately. "We had to put a pause on the website until we regrouped on the Thursday morning," said Bancroft. "My phone went crazy. It was a pinch me moment for everyone connected to Grimsby Town."
She's already achieved incredible success on the pitch with Arsenal and as captain of Ireland, but soccer star Katie McCabe has her sights set on a second World Cup. Here, she talks about her public clash with former Ireland manager Vera Pauw, the future of her relationship with teammate Caitlin Foord and her plans for life after football
