When the FA lifted the ban on women playing organised football 50 years ago, these ladies decided to make the most of it with a kick-about in a nearby playing field.

But despite the impromptu match being considered as "a bit of a laugh", the idea of women playing the men's "beautiful game" was widely frowned upon.

It had been felt to be "quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged", according to the FA.

It's taken half a century to dispel that myth and the success of England's Euros' Lionesses, has finally knocked it on the head.

Tony Luckhurst refereed the match in May 1972 organised by the A' Beckett Club in Canterbury Street – a social club set up by Our Lady of Gillingham RC Church.

To enter into the spirit, the former Gillingham councillor dressed in drag to keep the ladies company at the at the ground in Woodlands Road which now forms part of Gillingham Golf Club.

The great granddad, of Audley Avenue in the town, said: "I remember my wife and daughter dressing me up and then regretting it.

"When I arrived somebody shouted 'we want her on our side'. It wasn't taken seriously, just a bit of fun.

"They thought if the men can play football, so can we."

Already a fan of the sport, supporting Chelsea and Accrington Stanley, the 82-year-old got into women's football decades before it became popular and made headline news.

He said: "I watched every match of the Euros tournament and the last one four ago and this year has been brilliant.

"I can't believe how much it has changed in the last few years, the standard is so much better.

"It's great. I have spoken to women who have never watched football before and are now watching it."

The former insurance salesman whose granddaughter Evie, 24, used to play for Anchorians in Gillingham, feels girls should be given the chance to play from grassroots level at school.

His player of the tournament was Alessi Russo, who is from Maidstone and plays forward for Manchester United.

Do you know any of the ladies in the teams shown here? Contact our newsroom on 01634 227803.