1997 FA Women's Cup final

Background

Millwall Lionesses won the Cup for the first time in 1991, when it was run under the auspices of the Women's Football Association. After their 1–0 final victory over Doncaster Belles, the winning squad broke up and players moved to rival clubs. Several players including future England manager Hope Powell founded a new club called Bromley Borough, which became Croydon then Charlton Athletic.

Only Julie Fletcher, at 16 the youngest member of the 1991 squad, and Lou Waller, employed by parent–club Millwall as a community officer, remained with the team. In Waller's words: "We had to shunt all the teams up. The reserves became the seniors, the juniors became the reserves." By 1997 Millwall Lionesses' emphasis on youth development had produced international calibre players such as Mary Phillip, Katie Chapman, Danielle Murphy and Carly Hunt. England's first–choice goalkeeper Pauline Cope had also returned to the club from Arsenal. In March 1997 Millwall Lionesses defeated Everton in the final of the FA Women's Premier League Cup.

Manager John Jones had taken over District Line LFC in 1982 and led them to a series of promotions. In 1993 they were promoted to the FA Women's Premier League National Division and tied up with Wembley FC to enter the top division. Part of the deal was a merger with Pinner Park Girls FC, which meant that Wembley inherited Pinner Park's Kelly Smith.

As a former Physical Training Instructor in the Royal Navy, Jones ensured his team were strong and fit. He favoured an unorthodox 3–2–3–2 formation which accommodated a blend of promising youngsters and experienced campaigners such as Naz Ball. Wembley's progress culminated in a shock FA Women's Premier League Cup win over Doncaster Belles in March 1996.

Jones was angry when his players subsequently began to join rival clubs, attributing their departure to "a little bit of, shall we say, greed." Since the win over Doncaster Belles, three players had moved to Arsenal (Smith, Kim Jerray-Silver and goalkeeper Sarah Reed) and another three to final opponents Millwall Lionesses (Sally Ede, Pam Bedzrah and Justine Lorton).

Match

Summary

Watched by a crowd of 3,015, Millwall Lionesses won the match 1–0, with a winning goal early in the second half from Lou Waller. Justine Lorton, who had signed from Wembley the previous summer, delivered a corner kick which was turned in at the near post by Waller, a survivor of Millwall Lionesses' 1991 Cup win. In a close contest, Wembley's defence reportedly played extremely well but their veteran strike–force were unable to threaten Pauline Cope in the Millwall Lionesses goal.

After the match, victorious Millwall Lionesses players sang "No one likes us, we don't care" with their supporters. They also sang "How Bizarre" by OMC which had become the team's unofficial anthem.

Details

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Post match

A recording of the full game was broadcast at 18:00 BST by Cup sponsors, the cable television channel UK Living.

References

References

1. Erik Garin. "England - List of Women Cup Winners".
2. Aldis, Colin. (5 April 2011). "Miracles and Upsets Do Happen...". [[She Kicks (magazine).
3. Davies, Pete. (23 March 1997). "Lionesses aim to keep pride intact". [[The Independent]].
4. Aldis, Colin. (21 May 1997). "FA Premier League Cup Final, 1996-97". WomenSoccer.com.
5. Davies, Pete. (11 March 1996). "Wembley's flair rewarded in shoot-out". [[The Independent]].
6. Baker, Andrew. (4 May 1997). "Football: They're on their way to Upton ...". [[The Independent]].
7. (5 May 1997). "Mill-Waller.(Sport)". [[Daily Mirror]].
8. (7 May 2021). "Now you see her". [[BBC Sport]].