Goal Power! An Exhibition Legacy

The entrance to the Goal Power! exhibition at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery. Cases with football shirts and text panels on the wall can be see beyond the entrance. — Goal Power! in Brighton Museum & Art Gallery

The Goal Power! exhibition was held in Brighton Museum & Art Gallery from 18 June to 25 September 2022.

2022 was a milestone year in women’s football.

The England Women’s team won the UEFA Women’s Euro trophy at home at Wembley, stadiums were full, matches were shown on live mainstream tv, more girls started playing football than ever before. The Lionesses have become household names, with endorsements, awards and MBEs.

Why did it take until 2022 for this to happen? What was happening in women’s football before this? Who were the pioneers who opened the doors for girls today?

This exhibition gave you our dream squad, women who have dedicated their lives to the ‘beautiful game’. Explore the legacy of this exhibition here through videos, interviews and photographs. Share in their stories of resistance, perseverance, but above all a love for football that means they have trailblazed the way for women and girls today. From the feminist players of 1894 and the war worker footballers of the First World War to those who defied the Football Association to play and those who have changed the Football Association from within.

Goal Power! exhibition in Brighton Museum & Art Gallery. There are two football shirts in cases with accompanying text panels on the wall. A screen plays an interview and there are slogans printed on the walls. — Goal Power! exhibition in Brighton Museum & Art Gallery.

This was more than an exhibition; this was a call for action.

How do we make sure the momentum of 2022 continues, that women and girls have the same opportunities to play and work in football, that women’s teams are successful and sustainable? This exhibition explored this and more. Listen to the voices of young footballers, fans and those working in the game.

On the left is the story of Eileen Bourne, who was part of the team instrumental in reviving women’s football in the late 1960s, Brighton GPO. On the right hand side is Julie Hemsley, the first woman to ever sit on the Football Association Board in 1993, assistant manager to England Women’s team in the 1990s and a key figure in the development of the Brighton & Hove Albion Women’s team.

The stories of Eileen Bourne, who was part of the team instrumental in reviving women’s football in the late 1960s, Brighton GPO and Julie Hemsley, the first woman to ever sit on the Football Association Board in 1993.

On the left is the story of Gill Sayell, who played for the ‘British Independents’ at the Women’s World Cup in 1971 and for the first ever Arsenal women’s team in 1987. On the right is Eniola Aluko whose varied career includes fighting for contracts for the England women’s team, a lawyer, Chelsea Women’s team and tv football commentator.

The stories of Gill Sayell, who played for the first ever Arsenal women’s team in 1987 and Eniola Aluko, Lioness and tv football commentator.

The story of Nettie Honeyball, of the British Independent Ladies team, 1894.

The Barclays FA Women’s Super League trophy.

The story of pioneer Petra Landers, winner of the 1989 Women’s European Championship with West Germany.

A project like this is only possible with the support of many people. Brighton & Hove Museums would like to say thank you to those who so generously shared their personal stories and lent their personal collections for Goal Power! You are all trailblazers of women’s football, and we are privileged to share your experiences with others.

Thank you also to:

Our Creative Partner, UnitedUs
Nice Media for the creation of the exhibition introductory film
The National Lottery Fund and all the National Lottery players
The Football Association