Football internationals in same team 44 years on

When a new face turned up at their football training session, Colleen O'Connor thought she looked familiar.

But it was not until she spoke to Mandy Beach in the pub afterwards that they realised they were long lost teammates who played together for Wales more than 40 years ago.

The pair, now in their 60s, were among the trailblazers who represented their country after the ban on women's football was lifted in 1970, but were only recently given official recognition.

They have rekindled their love of the game in Caerphilly through walking football and Colleen said: "We've done it 44 years ago and look at us now, still doing it. There's hope for all of us."

Growing up in the 1970s, Mandy and Colleen were among the first generation of women who were allowed to play football, and both joined a club in Newport.

They made a handful of appearances for Wales between 1980 and 1981, when Colleen was a teenager and Mandy was in her early twenties.

Four decades on, the women's game has grown massively, and the Wales team could be on the verge of their first major tournament after reaching the Euro 2025 play-off final.

Mandy, now 65, said of their earlier days: "It was absolutely fabulous.

"Even though it was a small crowd it was such a big occasion, and I remember our shirts were borrowed from Swansea. It was a crazy time but we thoroughly enjoyed it."

At the time the team was not officially recognised by the Football Association of Wales, which meant players having to pay out of their own pocket to travel.

"I'd be earning a wage and it'd be gone by Friday, because that's the way it was," said Colleen, 62.

"But if you love the sport you're going to do it."

More than 40 years after they were first teammates, Mandy and Colleen are back in the same side

The women also struggled against social attitudes at the time, especially from men.

"We seriously trained and played, and we could kick a ball just as well as anybody else," said Mandy.

"But we felt a bit downtrodden. We were laughed upon a little bit, and I lost a little bit of heart. I didn't play football after that."

After having children, both Mandy and Colleen drifted away from the game for decades, until their chance encounter at the walking football team, set up two years ago in Caerphilly.

"This newbie come in the gym and I thought 'I know her from somewhere'," said Colleen.

"Nothing was said then until the pub after. I asked her 'where you from then Mand?'

"'I used to play for Newport Ladies, she said, with Wendy and Colleen'. And I said "Oh, that’s me!"

The two now train weekly with Caerphilly Castle FC, and have also played for a Wales over-60s walking team - again, unofficially for now.

"44 years is such a long time," said Mandy.

She added it was "mad" that they were playing for the same team again.

For Bethan Bushen, head of women's football at the club, their rekindled love for the game is "inspirational".

"It's that camaraderie, these women turn up and have a brilliant time," said Bethan.

"We want to create that pathway where you can be 40, 50, 60, 70, 80-plus, and still continue to enjoy the game, stay fit and healthy, or just enjoy the social side of it.

"It's not just about being competitive and winning matches, it's about having a good time and making friends."

Earlier this month, Mandy and Colleen were among 47 women who were given honorary caps for representing Wales between 1973 and 1993, after which the team officially started playing under the FAW.

For Colleen, it was a day she "never thought would come", but can now proudly display her achievement to her 12 grandchildren.

"I thought I'd be in my grave before I had that cap," she said.

"But it was an honour going up, and I did enjoy it, it brought a tear to my eye. To see all the girls who've been there and done it, it's absolutely fantastic."

They sad they will now be keeping an eye on today's generation, as Rhian Wilkinson's side head into the Euro 2025 play-off final against the Republic of Ireland.

"To see them now, it's absolutely brilliant," said Mandy. "It should've started years ago, but I'm so pleased for them.

"My only wish is that I was playing football now in this day and age, because this is when it's thriving. It's so much better, and different as well with people's attitudes."