This team has inspired a new generation ...and made a mockery of past prejudices

SO near and yet so far. After the ecstasy of England's uplifting advance to the Women's World Cup final in Australia, came the agony of defeat against Spain.

- Leo McKinstry

The tears shed at the vast Sydney arena were the bitter ones of sorrow, not the sweet ones of glory. Dreams of the ultimate prize were dashed. Sporting immortality postponed.

Back in Britain, the heartache was shared by a TV audience of an estimated 14 million in homes, pubs, urban screening venues and sports clubs throughout the country.

But the despair was mixed with disbelief, for under their brilliant Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman, the England team had looked almost unbeatable during the tournament.

Their collective spirit was so strong, their defence so well-organised, their system so well-drilled and their skill so impressive that it had seemed they could emerge triumphant from any encounter.

Alongside despondency and bewilderment there was also a profound sense of admiration for the England squad who had so captivated the nation in their quest for glory.

The Women of 2023 have truly done our country proud. With grace, modesty and determination, they had carried the England flag high, inspiring new generations and making a mockery of the past prejudice against women playing the game.

Spirit

It was just over a century ago, in 1921, that the English football authorities had banned women's matches on the grounds that the sport was "quite unsuitable for females".

The ban was in place for almost 50 years and was lifted only after the creation of the Women's Football Association in 1969, driven by the men's 1966 World Cup win under Sir Alf Ramsey.