Football exhibition tells story of Hull Lionesses

Hull-born Carol Thomas captained the England Lionesses for nine years

A new exhibition telling the story of the rich history of women’s football in Hull has opened at the city's Streetlife Museum.

The Lionesses of Hull exhibition explores the footballing lives of Hull-born Carol Thomas and Flo Bilton.

Former Lionesses captain Mrs Thomas said Hull had a "long, proud but often forgotten" history of sporting influence and success, not just at local and national level, but "on the international stage".

The exhibition runs until 23 February 2025.

Carol Thomas said she "waited 50 years" for her first official cap - but Flo Bilton celebrated her achievements by making her one

Mrs Thomas had a 43-year club career and played for England from 1974 to 1985.

During this time, she became the first women's international footballer to reach 50 caps and was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in November 2021.

She said Hull's influence on the world of football "cannot be understated as it was a Hullensian, Ebeneezer Cobb Morley, who first drafted the rules of Association Football in 1863".

Mrs Thomas added: “I am honoured and humbled that my city, through the team at Hull Museums and Gallery, has once again chosen to highlight my own achievements and contribution to women's football across the world."

In a bid to encourage local girls to take up the sport, Mrs Thomas is an ambassador for Hull City Ladies, speaking to girls in schools.

She said: "Even if we struggled at the time they can see what I achieved - which shows them they too can be a Lioness.

"Even if they start playing at grass roots level, we can show them they can take it to a higher level."

Museum curator Frances Hodson's exhibition highlight are the caps made by Flo Bilton for Carol Thomas

The exhibition also touches on the life and work of Hull’s Flo Bilton, who was the co-founder of the Women’s Football League and set up the Reckitt & Colman team that Mrs Thomas played for early in her career.

In the 1960s she set up the Hull Womens Football League and Hull has produced a number of Lionesses over their 50-year history, such as Gail Borman and more recently Jess Park.

Community curator for social history at Hull Museums, Frances Hodson, said the caps Ms Bilton made for Mrs Thomas were her favourite part of the display.

She said: "Flo Bilton copied them from a neighbour of hers, the design was taken from the men's caps, so they're really special pieces, and obviously prize possessions and irreplaceable for Carol."

As well as the displays, there is also a specially commissioned film featuring interviews with different generations of grassroots women’s footballers.

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