With the Women’s World Cup having kicked off earlier this month in Australia and New Zealand,
it got us thinking about Luton’s very own special link to the occasion… Yep, you might not
realise but one of our own was responsible for taking a team to the 1971 Women’s World Cup in
Mexico – Harry Batt.
It was the 2nd World Cup that has now become famous as a standalone women’s tournament. It
was a complete success with a record crowd of 115,000 in the final – Denmark v Mexico. The
squad who went there travelled as British Independents but were called ‘Inglaterra’ upon their
arrival. We now know them as ‘The Lost Lionesses 1971’.
The Lost Lionesses were recruited from around the country by Harry but quite a few were from
Luton and the surrounding areas. Their home ground was Crawley Green Road Recreation
Ground but they often played on Popes Meadow (famed for its slopes that lend themselves far
more to sledging rather than football), or even worse!
Harry saw the potential in these young women and was brave enough to take on the authorities
who saw football as a game which was ‘unsuitable’ for women to play. In fact, some of you may
well remember Harry, a Luton bus driver who had been involved in the Spanish Civil War and
spoke numerous languages. The women who played as part of his team speak of him with great
affection, detailing how much he risked in order to make the seemingly impossible happen.
Save Our Town are thrilled to have met members of this legendary team as well as Harry’s son,
Keith, mascot for the team back in 1971.
Over the next few months we hope to share more of
this fascinating story with you, including some interviews with players and family.
For now, we would like to take this opportunity to thank Harry for his incredible vision and
bravery. Surely there must be a blue plaque incoming…..