A Vital, Vivid Tribute to the Pioneers Who Changed Women’s Football Forever

Patricia Gregory’s "Breaking the Grass Ceiling" is a triumph of research and storytelling. The sheer depth of archival work is astonishing, yet the book never feels dry or impersonal. Gregory’s gift is her ability to bring history to life, weaving together dozens of firsthand accounts that make every chapter pulse with urgency and personality.
Her handling of the 1921 FA ban—clarifying its true impact and exposing the myths that grew around it—is especially impressive. Gregory doesn’t just recount events; she explains how power operates and why these old wounds matter today. Her attention to the grassroots effort behind the Women’s Football Association is another standout. She gives due credit to the volunteers and pioneers, who organised from scratch, making the reader feel the grit and heart behind every milestone. 
Gregory also excels at placing this history in a broader social context, showing how women’s football is about more than sport—it’s about resistance, community, and progress. By focusing on both the administrative battles and the personal stories, she’s written a book that feels essential not just for sports fans but for anyone interested in how real change happens.