Rotherwas’ footballing munitionettes

Available for over a year

Discover how Hereford's 'canary girls' provided entertainment as well as ammunition during the First World War, often packing out Edgar Street and stadia around the country. Archivist Elizabeth Semper O'Keefe takes us through the story of the workers of ROF Rotherwas and how they put on a spectacle, playing to high levels whilst the men's teams were made redundant due to so many fighting in the trenches. Often the matches raised funds to support the forces, with players and punters alike finding a patriotic duty to go to games. Although large crowds turned out to watch the women play, in 1921 the FA banned women from playing the game. Image credit: Thomas/Smith family Presenter: Yaz Rhoden Producer: Phillip Stoneman Reporter: Trevor Owens