Bolton to host screening for award-winning documentary

The Corinthians: We Were The Champions will be shown at The Light cinema on Thursday, April 30, with a special VIP event featuring a green, football-themed carpet, a post-film Q&A, and appearances by former players, the director, and guests.

The screening follows a successful earlier run in Bolton, where the film prompted what organisers described as an “outpouring of pride” for the team’s founder, Percy Ashley, and his daughter Doris.

Filmmakers said the reaction was sparked in part by local coverage in The Bolton News celebrating the pair’s Bolton roots, which led them to organise a return event focused on their legacy.

Directed by Helen Tither of Manchester-based production company Films Not Words, the documentary tells the story of Corinthians Ladies FC, a team formed in 1949 at a time when women’s football was banned by The Football Association.

The pic of the team in Portugal has Percy centre, Doris is front row centre, blond hair and white top with the ball. (Image: Films Not Words)

Despite the ban, which ran from 1921 to 1971, Percy Ashley – a former Bolton Wanderers scout – established the team so his daughter Doris could play, going on to train a squad that achieved major success both in the UK and abroad.

The team later beat Germany to win an unofficial European Cup in 1957 and defeated Juventus in 1970, and has since been described by the National Football Museum as one of the most successful women’s teams the country has seen.

Ms Tither said the response in Bolton had been particularly significant.

“We were really blown away by the response to the film in Bolton and how proud people were to have this Boltonian legend at the centre of the film,” she said.

“On the day our film has its first national screenings, we wanted to make the Bolton event extra special.

“Percy Ashley was what we would call a true ‘male ally’ these days.

“He founded a women’s football team against all odds, defying the establishment to help his amazing footballer daughter, Doris, play the game she loved.

“Today they are recognised as one of the greatest women’s football teams this country has ever had.

“Unfortunately, Percy and Doris never lived to see the historic apology their story has sparked from The FA, but we want to keep the memory of his contribution alive.”

She added the Bolton event would be “a real celebration”, with behind-the-scenes stories and previously untold memories shared during the Q&A..

Corinthians Ladies FC on tour at sporting Lisbon 1958 Portugal (Image: Films Not Words)

The film, told entirely in the words of 10 surviving players including Myra Lypnyckyj, Anne Grimes, Pauline Hulme, Marlene Cook, Freda Ashton, Monica Curran, Margaret ‘Whit’ Whitworth, Jean Wilson, Jan Lyons and Margaret ‘Tiny’ Shepherd, combines archive footage, animation and a punk-inspired soundtrack to bring their story to life.

It has also drawn national attention for its role in prompting an apology from The Football Association for the historic ban on women’s football, after early screenings at HOME in Manchester led to a public campaign backed by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

In a statement, the FA said: “Manchester Corinthians Ladies FC were pioneers of women’s football.

Through their unwavering spirit, talent and determination, they blazed a trail for women’s football around the world.

“We are sorry that a ban on women’s football was introduced in 1921 and not revoked until 1971.

“We recognise the courage of the teams and individuals who continued to play the game during this period.”

Early Corinthians Ladies FC team pic, 1958 (Image: Films not Words)

The documentary has won Best of The Fest (Feature) at NEIFF and Best Documentary at the Northampton Film Festival, and had its London premiere at the Women in Film & TV Festival in Covent Garden.

Supported by the National Football Museum and backed by England and Manchester United player Ella Toone, the project was funded through crowdfunding, along with sponsorship from BT Group and Tech Mahindra.

The Bolton screening will also mark the film’s first nationwide release, with showings planned at 14 Light cinemas across the country.

Tickets for the Bolton event are available via The Light cinema website.