8th November 2024
Almost 100 people enjoyed the special screening of COPA 71 at the Players Theatre on Saturday 2 November. The film documents the extraordinary story of the 1971 Women's Soccer World Cup, which was attended by over 100,000 football fans. Despite being one of the most ground-breaking moments in footballing history, most people have never heard of it - because the players were all women.
Four of the women who played in the tournament - Leah Caleb, Chris Lockward, Janice Emms (nee Barton), and Thame local, Gill Sayell - were in attendance on Saturday night, and delighted the audience with their anecdotes.
Such was the enthusiasm for the women and their story, copies of The Lost Lionesses books sold out on the evening. Fortunately, The Book House in Thame has kindly ordered more copies for those who missed out, at the reduced price of £18.
The film, COPA 71 is now available to view on BBC iPlayer.
(Pictured Thame Mayor, Cllr Andy Gilbert with The Lost Lionesses author Gail Emms)
