GirlsontheBall: 1,000 women's football matches in 10 photos
By Ali Rampling
Content creators, broadcasters, writers, journalists, photographers, 90min Fan Van drivers and women's football gurus GirlsontheBall (GOTB) have spent over a decade clocking up the miles covering the game that they love.
GOTB are made up of football fanatics Sophie Downey - often found in the press box on match days live tweeting and writing match reports - and Rachel O'Sullivan - poised on the touchline to capture the best of the action.
What began as a passion project during the summer of 2012 has become the duo's career, kicking off at the London Olympics and - via North Macedonia, Nice and Norwich - culminating with England's Euro 2022 triumph at Wembley on the eve of their 10th birthday.
Sunday 19 February will mark a major milestone for GOTB; England vs Italy in the 2023 Arnold Clark Cup will be their 1,000th live game. To celebrate hitting quadruple figures, 90min asked GOTB to select 10 of their favourite photos they have captured over the course of their 999 matches, and Rachel explains why each picture is so special.
Evening light
Maya Le Tissier is one of the most exciting young players in the WSL. The defender became a Brighton first team regular as a teenager, before her performances earned her a move to Manchester United in the summer of 2022.
"There's a few photos in here that I just really like the composition of. This is one of them. I love the way the light and rain hit Maya."
Throw in the snow
Aston Villa netted a last gasp equaliser to rescue a 2-2 draw against Reading in January 2021 - in conditions befitting of a Christmas card.
"Another photo I just like because of the composition. I love how it feels like the snow is falling right through the photo."
The Sam Kerr special
Despite frequently being among the goals, Chelsea fans were made to wait a full 13 months from Sam Kerr's arrival before the striker broke out her signature backflip celebration. Kerr netted a hat-trick in the 2021 Continental Cup final as she and Fran Kirby ran riot in a 6-0 victory over Bristol, and marked the occasion in style.
"The infamous back flip. We had all been waiting for her to do one of these celebrations in the WSL. This was her first time. The Conti Cup final!"
North London "friendly"
Is there such thing as a friendly north London derby? Tottenham and Arsenal met in pre-season ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, and the Gunners ran out 4-0 winners in Jonas Eidevall's first game in charge.
"This pic was the first time I thought, I might actually know what I'm doing with this photography lark. The game was a friendly. Nothing riding on it but I've always loved this photo."
Are you not entertained?
Arsenal began their 2021/22 campaign against WSL champions Chelsea at the Emirates, with Beth Mead netting a second half brace in a stunning 3-2 victory. The forward's first goal was a particularly spectacular solo effort, and Rachel's iconic photo of her celebrating received a shoutout in Mead's autobiography Lioness: My Journey to Glory.
"One of my all time favourites. It certainly did the rounds and we're well known for this photo. I knew once I'd captured it that it was a good one. Even Beth Mead loves it."
Ellen White: History maker
Ellen White became the Lionesses' all-time top scorer after netting a hat-trick against Latvia in November 2021, taking her past Kelly Smith's tally of 46.
"She's in it twice but for good reason. This was the moment she broke the women's goal scoring record. I had been determined this international window to capture this moment and it happened right in front of me."
The queen
A crowd of 91,553 - a world record attendance for a women's club fixture - poured into Camp Nou in March 2022, and Barcelona and Real Madrid provided a 90 minutes of football worthy of such a stage. Barca came from behind to run out 5-2 winners and book their Champions League semi final place, with Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas scoring her side's fourth.
"Another historical moment. Barcelona taking on Real Madrid at Camp Nou in the Champions League and breaking the attendance record. They day itself was incredible but to capture the best player in the world score and celebrate is a moment I'll always remember."
A collective sigh of relief
England trailed 1-0 to pre-tournament favourites Spain in the Euro 2022 quarter finals, before Ella Toone popped up to level six minutes from time to rescue the Lionesses from the brink of elimination.
"I think many of us during this match thought it was all over. We were going out. This was the moment that breathed life back into the hopes and dreams of a nation. And the rest is history."
The Last Dance
Ellen White started every match at Euro 2022 as the Lionesses lifted their maiden piece of silverware. The European Championships were White's eighth and final major tournament.
"This was Ellen White walking up to the stage before the team collected the European trophy for the first time. We didn't know at the time that this was her last match before retirement. Capturing her puffing out her cheeks while looking at the trophy suddenly held much more meaning when she made the announcement."
Ireland make history
The Republic of Ireland secured their place at their maiden Women's World Cup in October 2022 thanks to a famous 1-0 victory over Scotland. Vera Pauw's side will make their World Cup debut in Australia and New Zealand this summer, with their opener against co-hosts Australia already upgraded to a larger capacity stadium.
"Does this need an explanation?"**
**Rachel O'Sullivan is Irish.
Congratulations GOTB - here's to the next 1,000!