In My View: Ellie Reeves, MP for Lewisham West & Penge

This summer the entire country got behind our brilliant Lionesses and supported them as they played in the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

In spite of the devastating result our Lionesses captured the nation and have inspired a whole new generation of children.

But we must remember the struggle it has taken to get to this point.

In 1921, the FA announced a ban on women’s football being played at any professional grounds, pitches or clubs affiliated to them, stating:  “The game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged.”

Before this decision the future of women’s football looked bright.

There were about 150 women’s football clubs in England and matches were popular spectator events with some attracting crowds of up to 45,000.

Since then, so much of our national story has become mixed up with the imagery of men’s football from Bobby Moore lifting the World Cup, to Gazza crying and Gareth Southgate on his knees, head in hands.

But the FA’s decision meant that women were erased from this story and untold damage was done to women’s sport as a result.

The FA finally rescinded their ruling in 1970, but it wasn’t until the 1990s that the first strategic plans to develop the women’s game in England came about and the Women’s Super League only turned professional in 2018.

But the Lionesses have now smashed this glass ceiling in sport. When they won the Euros last year, a spark was lit that now seems unstoppable.

Women’s football is now selling out stadiums.

Names of female footballers are appearing on the back of shirts and viewing figures for this World Cup smashed previous records.

Women’s football is finally becoming a uniting and inspiring force against the odds. And this is so important.

When I was growing up in Sydenham, girls playing football was a rarity and opportunities to join teams simply were not there.

This along with sole coverage on the TV of men’s games gave the impression this was only a vocation that men could follow.

But seeing Millie Bright lead the Lionesses out against Spain at the final has changed this and will have inspired children across the country to give football a go.

I’m thrilled by this progress and to also hear of so much grass roots work going on at local clubs to drive up female participation and help kid’s teams to exist.

It’s actions like this that will ensure we have another generation of players and role models ready for us to cheer on.

Well done to our Lionesses for not only making history but also inspiring our young people to get involved. Here is to a new golden age of the game.