The three-part series airing on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Sounds tells the story of the women’s international team in Wales, from their unofficial first matches in 1973 through to the modern day when they are on the brink of reaching the finals of a major tournament for the first time.

McAllister, along with her then international team-mates Michele Adams and Karen Jones, successfully lobbied the Football Association of Wales to form an official side in 1993.

Under Jarmo Matikainen they twice came close to a play-off place for Euro 2013 and the 2015 World Cup, before his successor Jayne Ludlow took the team to the brink of the 2019 World Cup and Euro 2022 play-offs, missing out on a place in the latter on away goals scored in a head-to-head record against Northern Ireland, despite having a vastly superior goal difference.

Wales were then beaten in the final moments of extra time in the play-off final by Switzerland for a place in the 2023 World Cup under Gemma Grainger in their last qualifying campaign.

Grainger says qualifying for a major finals would be a landmark moment not just for women’s football in Wales, but for all female sport.

McAllister, who is now a Uefa vice-president, said: “If you look at the way in which women’s football is organised now in Uefa, we’re talking the strategy of it being a multi-billion-pound industry by 2030.

“I think this platform that we’d have by being in Switzerland next summer would be transformative really for how we run women and girls’ football in Wales.

“Obviously, there’d be financial returns which are very welcome for an association like us, but qualification would bring incredible attention, incredible dividends.

“We saw when England won in the last Euros just what they would be able to do to capitalise on that for school sport for girls and for club development.

“I think we’re savvy enough in Wales, we’ve got a strong enough strategy and a good enough leadership to make sure that we don’t waste that opportunity.

“For me, I think it’ll probably be the single most important historical thing to happen, maybe even in women’s sport, not just football, if we get there.”

BBC Sport chief football news writer Simon Stone:

It is not known exactly what compensation would be paid to Ten Hag if his contract was terminated.

In 2021, Ten Hag’s predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer received a £7m pay-off when he was sacked, with an additional £3m going to other members of his staff. This sum goes directly to a club’s accounts under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules, reducing the amount they have to spend on players.

As with transfers, any compensation payable for a new manager can be amortised over the period of the contract. It would depend on the length of contract and the compensation how much of that goes into the current year’s accounts.

However, a club may calculate an anticipated upturn in performance could generate more money in TV revenue, gate receipts and prize money to be worth making a move.

And, as happened last summer, clubs have until 30 June to submit their accounts so any who are at risk of exceeding the Premier League’s limit of £105m of allowable losses over three seasons can sell players.

Last month United announced a net loss of £113.2m to 30 June 2024. The previous years’ losses were £28.7m and £115.5m.

Some of the losses can be clawed back for PSR purposes and United say they are committed to abiding by the rules.

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor says the decision to postpone their Women’s Super League match against Manchester United was “not good”.

They were due to face United at home on Sunday but it was postponed with a week’s notice due to a conflict with Chelsea’s European schedule.

Chelsea face Real Madrid in the Women’s Champions League group stage on Tuesday, just two days after the United game was set to take place.

“We were disappointed as players and staff. I think everyone has to understand we were supposed to play,” said Bompastor.

“We were in a very good team dynamic and I think not having the opportunity to play changed everything in preparation for the game with Real Madrid.

“When you have the opportunity to play one game a week, with this decision being made to postpone the game, now we have been out of competition for 10 days which is completely different.

“If you look at the situation, the decision is not good. I think it is not good for all the English clubs who are in the Champions League competition.”

Chelsea are joined in the group stages by WSL rivals Arsenal and Manchester City this season.

The WSL has been taken over by a new independent company this season – Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) – and Bompastor says the league “need to know about the rules”.

“For them it’s good to have our feedback and as I always said to the league, I think we should be proud to have three English clubs in the Champions League this year,” added Bompastor.

“All the decisions in the league this year have to be made in order to help the English clubs compete in the Champions League.”

Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah has signed a new long-term contract at the club.

The 21-year-old has been at the Reds since he was five and made 33 appearances in all competitions in his debut season last term.

He has played twice in the current campaign under head coach Arne Slot – the 2-0 win against Ipswich in Liverpool’s Premier League opener and the 5-1 victory over West Ham in the League Cup.

“I couldn’t be happier at this minute,” he told Liverpool’s official website., external

“I think the way the new manager has come in, his coaching style has definitely been a massive part of that.

“I think this is the best club in the world for me to develop at and become a better player.”

Quansah made his first-team debut under previous boss Jurgen Klopp, with an impressive display off the bench against Newcastle in August 2023.

He also played as Liverpool beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final last season.

Manchester United weigh up various options for managerial role, Liverpool and Newcastle interested in Bundesliga players and Bayern Munich set to offer £400,000-a-week contract.

The future of Erik ten Hag, 54, as Manchester United manager will be decided at a club meeting on Tuesday, with his assistant, Ruud van Nistelrooy, 54, favoured to take over as a caretaker if a change is made. (Guardian), external

Manchester United are lining up German Thomas Tuchel, 51, as a potential replacement for Ten Hag. (Manchester Evening News), external

Dutchman Ten Hag believes he retains the faith of Manchester United bosses heading into the international break. (ESPN), external

Liverpool are interested in Eintacht Frankfurt and Egypt striker Omar Marmoush, 25. Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa wanted to sign him last summer. (Sky Germany – in German), external

West Ham will price their Ghana midfielder Mohammed Kudus, 24, out of a move away from the club next summer despite interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea. (Football Insider), external

Newcastle will push to sign Germany winger Leroy Sane, 28, next summer, when his contract expires at Bayern Munich. (Football Insider), external

Bayern Munich are ready to make Germany playmaker Jamal Musiala their joint best-paid player, along with England striker Harry Kane, on about £400,000 a week. The 21-year-old is not thought to be in talks with Real Madrid or Manchester City. (Sky Germany – in German), external

Wolves are maintaining their full support for head coach Gary O’Neil, 41, after sacking set-piece coach Jack Wilson. (Sky Sports), external

Barcelona are tracking Lille and Canada striker Jonathan David, 24. (Todofichajes – in Spanish), external

Reading have entered into a new period of exclusivity with an unnamed buyer – on the same day the club has been handed a fresh transfer embargo by the English Football League.

The stricken League One club has suffered from fines, points deductions and fan protests during Dai Yongge’s tumultuous reign as owner and had a previous transfer ban lifted in August 2023.

In a statement on the club’s website,, external Reading said the new embargo was due to “the late filing of financial accounts to Companies House, and relates to the 2022-23 accounting period”.

Reading added they believed the embargo would be lifted once the overdue accounts are finalised, which they hoped would happen “at the earliest opportunity”.

The Royals were relegated to League One in 2022-23 and have been deducted 18 points overall during Chinese businessman Dai’s tenure as owner.

A deal for former Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig to buy the club fell through last month after an agreement could not be reached.

“The club can confirm it has agreed to a period of exclusivity with a potential purchaser,” the statement added.

“Both parties are working hard to finalise terms with the intention to complete a sale at the earliest opportunity.

“This exclusivity period also includes further provision to fund the club until the transaction’s intended completion.

“The proposed sale will include Mr Dai’s shareholding in Reading Football Club Limited, as well as the Select Car Leasing Stadium and Bearwood Park Training Ground.”