Emma Clarke (footballer) facts for kids
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Emma Clarke in 1895
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1876 | ||
| Place of birth | Bootle, England | ||
| Date of death | 1905 | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper, right-winger |
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| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1895 | British Ladies' Football Club | ||
| 1896 | Mrs Graham's XI | ||
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Emma Clarke was a British footballer born in 1876. She is known as the first black woman to play football in Britain. She played as a goalkeeper and also as a right-winger.
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Emma's Early Life and Football Beginnings
Emma Clarke was born in Bootle, England. Her parents were William and Wilhelmina Clarke. She grew up in Bootle with her sister. Her sister also became one of the first known black women footballers.
From age 15, Emma worked as a candy maker's helper. She learned to play football on the streets of her neighborhood. This area was close to where Helen Matthews, a supporter of women's rights, lived. Helen Matthews later lent her name to a team Emma played for, called Mrs Graham's XI.
Emma Clarke's Football Career
Emma Clarke usually played as an outfield player. The South Wales Daily News described her as "the fleet footed dark girl on the right wing." She also played as a goalkeeper.
Playing for the British Ladies' Football Club
Her club football career started in 1895. She joined the British Ladies' Football Club. This was an early all-women's football club. It was supported by Lady Florence Dixie.
It is hard to find exact details about Emma's time with the British Ladies. This is because many players had the last name "Clarke." However, a photo shows her in the official team picture for the "South" team. This was for their first ever exhibition match. More than 10,000 people watched this game in Crouch End, London. Emma's "South" team lost the match 7–1.
The first recorded women's organized football match happened earlier, on May 7, 1881. It was in Edinburgh, Scotland, at Hibernian Park. This game was advertised as a Scotland versus England international match.
Touring with Mrs Graham's XI
The next year, in 1896, Emma Clarke joined Mrs Graham's XI. She was chosen to be part of the team that toured Scotland that year. Many people were interested in the tour. Their matches often attracted thousands of fans. Emma was paid for her travel costs. She also earned about a shilling a week while on tour.
Playing Against Gentlemen
In 1897, Emma played for a team called "The New Woman and Ten of Her Lady Friends." They played against "Eleven Gentlemen." The ladies' team won the game 3–1. Reports at the time showed how people felt about women's football. They called the game "grotesque." But they did admit that "in the second half the ladies distinguished themselves." It is also believed that Emma's sister played in this match.
Emma Clarke continued her football career until at least 1903.
Emma Clarke's Legacy
For many years, people thought Emma Clarke was a different player named Carrie Boustead. Carrie Boustead was once described as "a coloured lady of Dutch build." But it was later confirmed that Carrie Boustead was white.
Emma Clarke was "rediscovered" by an artist named Stuart Gibbs. He found a photo of the team that toured Scotland. He then realized the player in the picture was Emma Clarke, not Carrie Boustead.
A theatre company called Futures Theatre wrote a play named Offside. This play celebrates the important role women have played in football. It tells Emma Clarke's story.
In 2019, a special blue plaque was put up to honor Emma Clarke. It is at Campsbourne School in Hornsey. This is the site of her team, the former Crouch End FC.
See also
- Women's association football
- Dick, Kerr's Ladies F.C.
