How It All Began

By Sue Alldred - Co-founder

During the late summer of 1997, Rachel Pavlou, a Sports Development Officer based at Solihull College was aware that a need existed for girl's football in Solihull. She set up a girl's mini soccer centre at the Solihull College Sharmans Cross Campus. By the time the centre had been up and running for a few weeks, Rachel had over 100 girls registered! At about this time she started to get parents involved - little did I realise at that time my weekends would never be the same again!! 

As the winter drew near, Rachel decided that an indoor venue was required and we moved to Langley School. Rachel also got a new job with the FA and so the centre was taken over by Solihull Football Development led by Mark Foggarty. In the spring of 1998 Mark wanted the centre to be formed into a girls football club.  Myself and Angela Tompkins, another mum, volunteered and Solihull Borough Girls FC was formed. It was going to be a difficult task, but we received a lot of support and guidance from Rachel and Mark. We also had close links with Redditch United Girls and they were also a great help.

For the 1998/99 season we registered an U12's team with the newly formed Central Warwickshire Youth Football League - Girls Section. We also has an U10's team who played friendlies and tournaments, as their League was not introduced until 1999/2000.

Since then the club has gone from strength to strength, but only because of a lot of time, effort and commitment from a lot of parents. I myself am very proud of all that the girls have achieved since it all began.